TIGERS LOSE REINKING AS LATE SIGNINGS ARRIVE

The Mersey Tigers are starting to look invincible. But their bid to boost an already stong line up with the signing of GB international Nate Reinking has fallen through after he secured a last-minute move overseas.

The 36year-old, who’s spent the past five years playing in Belgium, was a key part of the national team’s EuroBasket qualification this summer. A free agent, Tigers coach Tony Garbelotto jumped at the chance to snap him up, but Reinking – utilising a get-out clause on his short-term deal, is understood to have agreed a move to Turkey.

The Tigers have also added guard Perry Lawson and forward David Aliu.

“Perry has shown that he has the speed, athletic ability and technique to play at the highest level,” Garbelotto said. “David has been one of the best players to come out of Liverpool ever. To get him back to his home club is massive for us.”

Greer in as Jets signing Commons barred – Round-Up

Cheshire Jets head coach Paul Smith has signed his final addition to this year’s roster after capturing 6’7″ American forward Quemont Greer’s signature.

The 28-year-old has flown in to replace Chris Commons who was unable to acquire a work visa. MVP understands that the refusal was linked to a prior conviction for armed robbery which saw Commons spend time in prison. But the lack of work permit scuppered the move, leaving Smith with no choice but to move on.

“We really put a lot of effort into the recruitment process to get the right balance and quality,” he said. “What I’ve seen so far is confirming we’ve recruited what we hoped we had. At the start of our fourth year, we are ahead of track off-court with the community work and on track on the court, but we have a loyal fanbase who are used to winning trophies.

“Everybody understands why we haven’t won trophies over the last few years because we’ve saved the club from extinction, but there comes a time when you have to pay the fans back. As a business, things are tight – as it is with every business – but once we come through this we will have a club the people of Cheshire can be proud of.”

Guildford Heat have signed 7-feet centre, Tomas Janusauskas who spent last season with London Capitals. The Surrey side have also brought back British guard Lekan Popoola for a second campaign.

Sheffield Sharks have signed British power forward Richard McNutt out of Mount Aloysius College. The 24-year-old, from Cheshire, signed after spending a week on trial and will back up Paul Williams at centre and Mike Tuck at forward.