GIANTS STEP BACK ON THE BIG STAGE

BASKETBALL

BY TUM BALOGUN MANCHESTER GIANTS will be back on the big stage today – two decades after going out of business.

Their recovery from a rocky few years will culminate in their League Cup final appearance against Leicester Riders.

The Giant enjoyed success in the nineties but were absent from British basketball’s top-flight between 2001 and 2011.

Since then they have finished no higher than seventh in the 12-team league. But with key summer additions – including GB captain Dan Clark and US college star Tyrik Armstrong – their impressive early form has continued into the winter. Giants guard Jordan Whelan (above) said: “I don’t know how quickly anyone thought that with a new owner and a rebrand they would even be in a final.

“But now that we’re in one, I definitely think it’s going to be a massive thing.

“Considering the history that Manchester already had back in the nineties, there are actually a lot of people that know about the Giants – kind of like sleeper fans.”

Whelan, 27, will find a familiar face on the opposite end of the court at the sell-out 16,000seater Utilita Arena in Birmingham.

Younger brother

Patrick, 25, will lace up for the league-leading Riders.

“We’ve never played against each other professionally before,” said Whelan. “It’s going to be a special day for our family. They’re all looking forward to it and lots of people will be proud.

“Whoever wins or loses, I think it’ll just be a good day for us both.”

Leicester boast a perfect 10-0 league record and are led by the BBL’s reigning MVP, Geno Crandell.

Coach Rob Paternostro said: “As a team we’re very balanced. I still think there is more that we can do but overall, we are in a good place.”