From Basketball Journalists’ Association
Worcester Wolves centre Will Creekmore has been named as the BBL Player of the Year in the Basketball Journalists Association’s annual awards for the 2013-1014 season.
The American, one of the key figures in Worcester’s run to the BBL Playoff Final at Wembley in which they beat Newcastle, was a runaway vote-getter in the poll of media who regularly cover the sport in Britain, with team-mate Zaire Taylor in second place and Victor Moses, of Cheshire Phoenix, in third.
Newcastle Eagles player-coach Fabulous Flournoy has been confirmed as the BBL Coach of the Year for the third time in four years, following on from the Eagles’ capture of the sixth British Basketball League title of his reign.
Flournoy headed the BJA voting ballots ahead of Wolves’ play caller Paul James, who was runner-up, with Lee Davie of Durham Wildcats recognised for his team’s highest-ever finish.
The Pete Jacques Award for best British player in the BBL has gone to Manchester Giants’ shooting guard James Jones, who headed the ballot ahead of colleague David Aliu and Newcastle’s Darius Defoe who were tied for second place.
For the first time, the prestigious Syd Lipski Award for top British performer on the global stage will be received by a female player in 2014.
Great Britain international Jo Leedham, the leading performer in the national team’s run to the second round of EuroBasket Women 2013, is rewarded for her role in helping French club Bourges to the semi-finals of the Euroleague, as well as retaining their domestic league crown.
The Cheshire-born guard came ahead of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luol Deng, the 2013 winner, with GB international Myles Hesson – currently with German side Ulm – in third.
“Leedham has had an outstanding season for club and country and it is fitting she picks up the Lipski Award,” said BJA Secretary Mark Woods.
“Creekmore has been a consistent force for Worcester while Jones is just one of several homegrown stars who have had huge roles in Manchester’s return to prominence. Along with Fab, we congratulate all of the winners.”
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