2020–21 London Lions season

The 2020–21 BBL season was the 44th season for the London Lions in the BBL, and 9th under the banner of London Lions.

2020–21 London Lions season
Trophy champions
logo
Head coachUnited Kingdom Vince Macaulay
CaptainUnited Kingdom Joe Ikhinmwin
ArenaCopper Box Arena
BBL results
Record23–7 (.767)
Ladder2nd
BBL CupRunners-up
(lost to Eagles 77–84)
BBL TrophyChampions (1st title)
(Defeated Raiders 88–82)
Playoff finishRunners-up
(lost to Eagles 66–68)

Stats at BBL.org.uk
Player records
PointsUnited States Williams
18.3
ReboundsUnited Kingdom Tawiah
5.7
AssistsUnited States Liggins
6.9
EfficiencyUnited Kingdom Okoroh
57%
All statistics correct as of 30 April 2021.

The Lions play their home games at the 6,000 seat Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

Squad

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Signings

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  • On 13 July, 2020, the London Lions announce the two-time BBL MVP, Justin Robinson has signed a two-year deal with the club.[1]
  • On 20 July, 2020, the Lions have brought back veteran guard, Andre Lockhart, for a sixth successive season.[3]
  • On 22 July, 2020, the London Lions signed five-year NBA veteran, DeAndre Liggins to the 2020–21 squad.[4]
  • On 29 July, 2020, the London Lions re-signed Edmir Lucas for the 2020–21 BBL season.[6]
  • On 3 August, 2020, the London Lions signed Kervin Bristol after a season in Ukraine. Kervin was a member of the 2018–19 Lions squad.[7] On 21 November, 2020, Kervin Bristol had been de-registered from the team, but remains on staff.
  • On 5 August, 2020, the London Lions re-signed British international Jules Dang-Akodo for the 2020–21 BBL season.[8]
  • On 6 August, 2020, the Lions have signed young Brit, Kingsley Okoroh for the 2020–21 squad.[9]
  • On 10 August, 2020, the London Lions signed Chris Tawiah after a season in Romania. Chris was a member of the 2010–11 Lions squad.[10]
  • On 12 August, 2020, the London Lions signed American Kevin Ware for the 2020–21 BBL season.[11]
  • On 20 August, 2020, the London Lions signed six-year NBA veteran, Byron Mullens to the 2020–21 squad.[14]
  • On 13 September, 2020, the London Lions signed former Lion Matthew Bryan-Amaning to the 2020–21 squad. Bryan-Amaning was a member of the Lions in 2013.[15] On 13 October, 2020, Bryan-Amaning parted ways with the team.[16]
  • On 21 November, 2020, the London Lions signed Orlando Parker for the 2020–21 BBL season.[19]
  • On 11 December, 2020, the London Lions signed former Lion Jordan Spencer to the 2020–21 squad. Spencer was a member of the 2018–19 Lions squad.[20]

Roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

2020–21 London Lions roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt.
G 0   Lucas, Edmir (I) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 94 kg (207 lb)
F 2   Parker, Orlando (I) 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 100 kg (220 lb)
G 3   Lockhart, Andre 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 86 kg (190 lb)
G 5   Ware, Kevin (I) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 79 kg (174 lb)
F 7   Ikhinmwin, Joe (C) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 100 kg (220 lb)
G 10   Robinson, Justin 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 81 kg (179 lb)
G 11   Williams, Dirk (I) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
C 15   Alihodžić, Fahro 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 118 kg (260 lb)
G 17   Dang-Akodo, Jules 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
G/F 21   Ward-Hibbert, Joshua 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 86 kg (190 lb)
C 22   Okoroh, Kingsley 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) 121 kg (267 lb)
G 23   Spencer, Jordan 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 82 kg (181 lb)
C 25   Tawiah, Chris 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 107 kg (236 lb)
F/C 33   Bristol, Kervin (IN) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 102 kg (225 lb)
G/F 34   Liggins, DeAndre (I) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 95 kg (209 lb)
F/C 44   Walker, Shane 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 96 kg (212 lb)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  •   Injured

Updated: 11 December 2020

Depth chart

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Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Development
C Chris Tawiah Kingsley Okoroh
PF Orlando Parker Fahro Alihodžić Joshua Ward-Hibbert Kervin Bristol
SF DeAndre Liggins Shane Walker Joe Ikhinmwin
SG Kevin Ware Dirk Williams Edmir Lucas
PG Justin Robinson Andre Lockhart Jordan Spencer Jules Dang-Akodo

Preseason

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Game log

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2020–21 pre-season game log
August: 1–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 30 August @ B.C. Oostende L 91–77 Edmir Lucas (20) Joshua Ward-Hibbert (8) Kevin Ware (7) Versluys Dôme 0–1
2 31 August @ B.C. Oostende W 81–84 DeAndre Liggins (15) Not announced Not announced Versluys Dôme 1–1
September: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
3 6 September @ Bakken Bears L 105–88 DeAndre Liggins (25) Not announced Not announced Vejlby-Risskov Hallen 1–2
October: 2–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
4 9 October @ Surrey Scorchers W 89–107 Dirk Williams (41) Not announced Not announced Surrey Sports Park 2–2
5 12 October Bristol Flyers W 96–76 Byron Mullens (27) Chris Tawiah (13) Andre Lockhart (5) University of East London 3–2
6 23 October Sheffield Sharks L 68–89 Kevin Ware (22) Fahro Alihodžić (9) Kevin Ware (5) Copper Box Arena 3–3

Basketball Champions League

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Game log

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2020–21 game log
September: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 22 September @ Neptūnas L 77–73 Matthew Bryan-Amaning (16) Matthew Bryan-Amaning (6) Kevin Ware (4) Arena Botevgrad 0–1

FIBA Europe Cup

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Game log

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2020–21 game log
January: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 26 January @ Anwil Włocławek Withdrawn
2 27 January Fribourg Olympic Withdrawn
3 29 January @ Dnipro Withdrawn

*Note: FIBA has withdrawn the London Lions from the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season due to COVID-19 disruptions. All games of the London Lions will be forfeited.[21]

BBL Cup

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Newcastle Eagles 6 4 2 539 526 +13 8 Quarter Finals
2 Leicester Riders 5 3 2 455 422 +33 6
3 London Lions 6 3 3 501 497 +4 6
4 Sheffield Sharks 5 1 4 371 421 −50 2
Updated to match(es) played on 29 November 2020. Source: BBC Sport

Game log

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2020–21 game log
November: 3–3 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–2)
December: 1–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
7 16 December @ Plymouth Raiders W 80–85 (OT) Dirk Williams (20) Orlando Parker (8) Liggins, Robinson (6) Plymouth Pavilions 4–3
January: 1–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
8 12 January Manchester Giants W 20–0 N/A N/A N/A National Basketball Performance Centre 5–3
9 24 January Newcastle Eagles L 77–84 Dirk Williams (19) Kevin Ware (9) Justin Robinson (6) Morningside Arena 5–4

BBL Trophy

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Game log

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2020–21 game log
February: 2–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 11 February Leicester Riders W 76–71 Robinson, Williams (15) Fahro Alihodžić (12) DeAndre Liggins (12) Copper Box Arena 1–0
2 22 February Newcastle Eagles W 101–85 DeAndre Liggins (24) Orlando Parker (9) DeAndre Liggins (9) Copper Box Arena 2–0
March: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
3 7 March Glasgow Rocks W 90–66 DeAndre Liggins (28) Chris Tawiah (7) Dirk Williams (5) Copper Box Arena 3–0
4 10 March @ Glasgow Rocks W 89–108 Dirk Williams (26) Chris Tawiah (7) Kevin Ware (6) Emirates Arena 4–0
5 21 March Plymouth Raiders W 88–82 Dirk Williams (20) DeAndre Liggins (7) DeAndre Liggins (8) Worcester Arena 5–0

BBL Championship

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Leicester Riders (C) 30 24 6 2580 2303 +277 48 Playoffs
2 London Lions 30 23 7 2702 2441 +261 46
3 Plymouth Raiders 30 21 9 2511 2307 +204 42
4 Newcastle Eagles 30 18 12 2576 2543 +33 36
5 Sheffield Sharks 30 15 15 2403 2338 +65 30
6 Worcester Wolves 30 14 16 2349 2456 −107 28
7 Cheshire Phoenix 30 14 16 2357 2407 −50 28
8 Bristol Flyers 30 12 18 2346 2373 −27 24
9 Surrey Scorchers 30 10 20 2446 2615 −169 20
10 Manchester Giants 30 10 20 2514 2601 −87 20
11 Glasgow Rocks 30 4 26 2214 2614 −400 8
Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2021. Source: BBC Sport
(C) Champions

Game log

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2020–21 game log
December: 4–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–1)
January: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
6 3 January @ Leicester Riders W 73–74 Dirk Williams (19) Liggins, Parker (11) Liggins, Robinson (7) Morningside Arena 5–1
7 8 January Newcastle Eagles W 109–89 Dirk Williams (24) Chris Tawiah (10) DeAndre Liggins (8) Copper Box Arena 6–1
8 9 January Glasgow Rocks W 91–74 Dirk Williams (17) Orlando Parker (8) DeAndre Liggins (7) Copper Box Arena 7–1
9 15 January @ Bristol Flyers W 70–98 DeAndre Liggins (18) DeAndre Liggins (7) DeAndre Liggins (7) SGS College Arena 8–1
February: 2–3 (Home: 0–1; Road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
10 7 February Plymouth Raiders L 75–81 Justin Robinson (15) DeAndre Liggins (12) DeAndre Liggins (9) Copper Box Arena 8–2
11 14 February @ Plymouth Raiders W 70–87 Liggins, Williams (25) Dirk Williams (7) DeAndre Liggins (6) Plymouth Pavilions 9–2
12 19 February @ Cheshire Phoenix L 87–80 Justin Robinson (24) Chris Tawiah (11) DeAndre Liggins (5) Cheshire Oaks Arena 9–3
13 24 February @ Surrey Scorchers W 97–98 DeAndre Liggins (20) Fahro Alihodžić (10) DeAndre Liggins (11) Surrey Sports Park 10–3
14 28 February @ Sheffield Sharks L 83–72 DeAndre Liggins (25) DeAndre Liggins (10) Liggins, Robinson (4) Ponds Forge 10–4
March: 2–3 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
15 12 March Manchester Giants W 105–81 Kevin Ware (24) Fahro Alihodžić (9) DeAndre Liggins (7) Copper Box Arena 11–4
16 14 March @ Leicester Riders L 78–73 Justin Robinson (21) Joshua Ward-Hibbert (7) Justin Robinson (5) Morningside Arena 11–5
17 26 March @ Newcastle Eagles L 109–95 Dirk Williams (20) Orlando Parker (8) Jordan Spencer (10) Vertu Motors Arena 11–6
18 28 March Worcester Wolves L 72–84 Kevin Ware (19) Chris Tawiah (9) Kevin Ware (5) Copper Box Arena 11–7
19 31 March Surrey Scorchers W 109–90 Dirk Williams (35) Orlando Parker (9) Liggins, Ware (5) Copper Box Arena 12–7
April: 11–0 (Home: 6–0; Road: 5–0)

BBL Playoffs

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Game log

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2021 playoff game log
May: 3–2 (Home: 3–2; Road: 0–0)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "London Lions keep Justin Robinson for two more years". Hoopsfix.com. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  2. ^ "Eight is great for Joe". British Basketball League. 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  3. ^ "Lionheart Lockhart Returns". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  4. ^ "NBA Veteran Liggins In London". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  5. ^ "Dirk Williams In Capital Landing". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  6. ^ "Edmir Lucas Is Fourth Returnee". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  7. ^ "Kervin Bristol Returns To Lions Defence". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  8. ^ "Jules Is Diamond On The Rise". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  9. ^ "Kingsley Is Giant Lion". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  10. ^ "Junior Lion Tawiah Is A Senior Lion". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  11. ^ "Kevin Ware Defies The Odds". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  12. ^ "Anyone For Tennis As Lions Net Josh Ward-Hibbert". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  13. ^ "London Welcomes Walker". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  14. ^ "Byron Mullens Is London's 2nd NBA Star". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  15. ^ "Bryan-Amaning Joins The Pride". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  16. ^ "Matthew Bryan-Amaning, London Lions part ways". Sportando. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  17. ^ "Brown Is Final Euro Piece". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  18. ^ "Home Is Sweet For Fahro". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  19. ^ "Orlando At Home In London". www.thelondonlions.com. 2020-11-21. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  20. ^ "Jordan Spencer makes London Lions return". hoopsfix.com. 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  21. ^ "London Lions ruled out from FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season due to COVID-19 disruptions". fiba.basketball. 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
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