Website: www.worcesterwolves.org
Twitter: @BBLWolves
Contact: info@worcesterwolves.com Telephone: 01905 542 251
Honours:
BBL Cup Semi-Finalists 2012
BBL Championship 3rd Place 2012
BBL Trophy Semi-Finalists 2013
Head-Coach: Paul James (p.james@worcesterwolves.com)
Roster: Kalil Irving #12 (@kalilirving); Alex Owumi #15 (@AlexQaddafisPG); Zaire Taylor (@ImBrokeBaby); Jamal Williams; Ian Salter; Will Creekmore (@Creekmo44); Caylin Raftopoulos (@CayRaf); Harrison Turner (@HTurner15); Disraeli Lufadeju (@Disraeli5)
History: Worcester Wolves joined the BBL in 2006 following two seasons in the first division of the EBL. In their first season, Worcester finished bottom of the standings, winning just four out of their 36 games. They qualified for the play-offs in their second season after an eighth placed finish as they managed 14 victories before falling to Newcastle in the post-season. The south-midlands club also progressed to the semi-finals of the BBL Trophy where they were beaten 81-75 by Guildford Heat. Worcester then missed out on the play-offs for the next three seasons as they followed a 10th place finish with back-to-back 9th place finishes between 2009-11. Paul James was appointed as head-coach in late 2009 before taking over as England head-coach a month later. After two mediocre seasons, James mixed up his squad; dispensing of Rod Middleton and Danny Gilbert and bringing in American rookies Tommy Freeman and Richie Gordon. The duo both won the Molten BBL Player of the Month award on one occasion and inspired the Wolves to their best ever finish in the BBL as they claimed third with 22 wins. Worcester also made it to the semi-finals of the BBL Cup for the first time before losing to Plymouth 193-172 on aggregate. Last season brought more semi-final heartache for the Wolves after they were beaten by Leicester in a tense last four clash before yet another first round exit in the play-offs followed after a respectable 5th placed finish.
Summer Transactions: Coach James began building a competitive roster with the re-signing of Alex Owumi, who shined in his first season in the BBL. The Nigerian-American scored 688 points for the Wolves and was a key player in the absence of Sherrad Prezzie-Blue, who has not been re-signed. James looked to BBL rivals in signing Jamal Williams from Plymouth and Zaire Taylor from Leicester with the Rider having been named in the Defensive team of the Year last season. Two big Americans were recruited in quick succession with 6’10” centre Ian Salter joining from Texas A & M along with former NBA D-League forward Will Creekmore. Squad players Kalil Irving and Harrison Turner were re-signed while Caylin Raftopoulos was snapped up from Surrey Heat to join the first team and attend university.
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