Another season of basketball is here, and Maltese basketball players abroad have or will be looking to start their commitments, mostly at new clubs. The Times of Malta Sportsdesk looks at the Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment in the ‘Maltese Abroad’ series.

UK

Sasha Lecuyer started out the new season with the Loughborough Riders in style, putting up 20+ points and winning the National Basketball League (NBL) Division One Player of the Week award at the beginning of October.

The side beat the Cardiff Met Archers II 82-64 as Lecuyer put up 25 points in 23 minutes. She produced 87% from three-point range and was the game’s highest scorer on the day.

FULL GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2pXEcCeehA

Six days later, the Riders won their second consecutive game, this time 83-61 against the Worchester Wolves. Lecuyer scored three points in 23 minutes this time around, in what looked to be a quite game for the Malta international.

FULL GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOYsWwuR3oQ

The Loughborough Riders play the Bristol Academy Flyers next on Saturday.

Malta youth international Julia Borg kicked off her season with the Sheffield College in the WEABL Northern Conference league with double digits on Wednesday.

The side played the Manchester Mystics Academy, and while Manchester won 62-54, Borg scored 13.

Sheffield College plays the Charnwood College Riders next Wednesday.

ITALY

Malta center Kurt Cassar has had a bright start to this season’s campaign with new side Ruvo di Puglia in the Serie B Group D, as he is currently ranked among the top five shooters within the side – 100% from three-point range as well as from the charity stripe.

In the side’s first game of the season, an 80-62 win over Virtus Arechi Salerno on October 2, Cassar scored 12 in 18 minutes – second in scoring – as well as grabbing seven boards.

Last Saturday, the side lost 87-85 against Bava Pozzuoli but Cassar scored 16 points in 20 minutes, once against second in scoring, while grabbing eight rebounds.

The side plays Moncada Energy Agrigento on Saturday.

In the Serie C Gold, Malta forward Tevin Falzon got his first taste of the league after featuring in Vigor Matelica Basket’s Coppa Italia games.

Last Saturday, Falzon scored nine as the side blew out Sambenedettese Basket with an 84-54 win.

This Saturday, Matelica play against Virtus Assisi.

AUSTRIA

Aaron Falzon, who made the All-star five of this summer’s FIBA Small Countries Games in Ireland, will be hoping for better with his new side Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions after the side lost their opening BSL game 91-63 against Unger Steel Gunners on Sunday.

Aaron Falzon scored seven but the team struggled and will be looking to turn things around in their next game on Saturday against the Raiffeisen Flyers Catfish.