Matchroom Reveal Game Format Changes for All-Stars Championship

By Sam Neter on May 10, 2017

Simon O’Connor/Matchroom Sport

A five point line, 12 minute games and a sin bin are all part of new format changes that were released for the new British Basketball All-Stars Championship event to be held at the O2 arena this September, by Matchroom Sport this week.

Matchroom Sport will also add in a 20 second shot clock, rolling subs and a 2 minute ‘power play’ which will see all points scored during that time period doubled, as they attempt to reinvigorate the game with “exciting new innovations.”

FORMAT: The British Basketball All-Stars Championship introduces some exciting new innovations. Will you be @TheO2 on September 24? pic.twitter.com/hTl70a5w8U

— All-Stars Basketball (@AllStars_BB) May 8, 2017

The event, first announced in March, is Barry Hearn’s brainchild, and will feature the top 8 finishing BBL sides from this season; Bristol Flyers, Sheffield Sharks, Leicester Riders, London Lions, Newcastle Eagles, Glasgow Rocks, Surrey Scorchers and Worcester Wolves.

There is a £100,000 prize fund with each team receiving at least £5,000 with the top prize of 25k going to the tournament winners.

THE TEAMS: These are the eight @BBLofficial teams who will battle it out in the @AllStars_BB on Sept 24 @TheO2!
🎟️https://t.co/L8hO7lw9Yd pic.twitter.com/4j9GSRyGNx

— All-Stars Basketball (@AllStars_BB) May 9, 2017

However, the new innovations have received mixed responses.

Newcastle Eagles assistant coach Dave Forrester feels it is too gimmicky, and too many changes at once, tweeting:

@GJBuckingham @purplewarrior9 @JCGrimshaw @AllStars_BB @TheO2 @BBLofficial sorry but no free throws and running clock in last minute will lead to anarchy. Positive £ incentive to commit hard fouls. Needs rethink

— David Forrester (@shieldsbrief) May 8, 2017

@purplewarrior9 @GJBuckingham @JCGrimshaw @AllStars_BB @TheO2 @BBLofficial Too many gimmicks for me. Double points? Opp has incentive to foul to stop any shot. 5pt shot? Better to try one or maybe a couple at first

— David Forrester (@shieldsbrief) May 8, 2017

Whilst British hoops legend John Amaechi, was also not a fan:

In completely typical style, UK basketball once again thinks it knows better & reinvents the game by crossing it with Hockey.

Good luck.

— John Amaechi OBE (@JohnAmaechi) May 9, 2017

UK basketball – adding sin bins, power plays and a 5-point line… because the game that the rest of the world plays isn't good enough.

— John Amaechi OBE (@JohnAmaechi) May 9, 2017

It was not all negative, @purplewarrior9 commented: “Sounds like an exciting yet still good format!”, with @JCGrimshaw adding: “I think this will be so fun to watch.”

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

Do you like our work?

We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.

We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.

We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.

If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.

We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.

Support Hoopsfix