League MVP Returns for Another Season at Newcastle Eagles

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Newcastle Eagles have re-signed BBL legend Charles Smith for yet another season as they continue to bring back last season’s clean-sweep winning squad.

The 39-year-old continues to prove that age is no barrier after an impressive 2014-15 campaign saw him claim the league MVP award for the first time.

Smith first arrived on Tyneside in 1999 and this will be his 14th season in the club in amongst a two-game spell with Glasgow Rocks in 2005-06.

Last season, the American-born forward put up impressive numbers of 14.4 points per game in a balanced Eagles attack whilst going past 6,000 career points in the BBL.

“There was never a thought in my mind about retirement. Why would there be? I’ve just come off an amazing season both personally and even more importantly for the great Eagles organisation, I can still get it done, I still want to get it done and I’m still proud to play this game I love,” Smith told Chronicle Live.

Newcastle had already confirmed that Rahmon Fletcher, Scott Martin, Darius Defoe and Andy Thomson are all returning as they bring back a formidable core once again.

Young guard Eddie Matthew has left to join Leeds Force and it is expected that one more player will not return.

Elsewhere, Surrey Scorchers have added to their British contingent with the addition of Henry Wilkins, who played in Spain last season. And Leicester Riders have completed their squad with the signing of American centre Billy Reader out of Morehead State.

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