2020–21 London Lions season

2020–21 London Lions season
Trophy champions
Head coach	Vince Macaulay
Captain	Joe Ikhinmwin
Arena	Copper Box Arena
BBL results
Record	23–7 (.767)
Ladder	2nd
BBL Cup	Runners-up (lost to Eagles 77–84)
BBL Trophy	Champions (1st title) (Defeated Raiders 88–82)
Playoff finish	Runners-up (lost to Eagles 66–68)
Stats at BBL.org.uk
Player records
Points	Williams 18.3
Rebounds	Tawiah 5.7
Assists	Liggins 6.9
Efficiency	Okoroh 57%
All statistics correct as of 30 April 2021.

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

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

Squad

Signings

• 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 14 July, 2020, the London Lions re-signed Captain Joe Ikhinmwin for the 2020–21 BBL season. This will be his eighth season with the Lions.[2]

• 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 27 July, 2020, the Lions signed former Sheffield Sharks player Dirk Williams for the 2020–21 squad.[5]

• 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 13 August, 2020, the Lions signed former tennis player and former Leicester Riders player Joshua Ward-Hibbert for the 2020–21 squad.[12]

• On 14 August, 2020, the London Lions signed former Leicester Riders player Shane Walker after a season in Sweden.[13]

• 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 16 September, 2020, the London Lions signed American Stephen Brown as an injury replacement for Jules Dang-Akodo. Brown will only appear in the Basketball Champions League.[17]

• On 22 October, 2020 the London Lions signed Fahro Alihodžić to the 2020–21 squad.[18]

• 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

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 Vince Macaulay Assistant coach(es) Dave Greenaway Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Development player (IN) Inactive (I) Import player Injured Roster Updated: 11 December 2020

Depth chart

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

Game log

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

Main article: 2020–21 Basketball Champions League

Game log

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

Main article: 2020–21 FIBA Europe Cup

Game log

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

Standings

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

2020–21 game log
November: 3–3 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 1 November Newcastle Eagles L 79–89 (OT) Dirk Williams (19) DeAndre Liggins (11) DeAndre Liggins (5) Copper Box Arena 0–1 2 6 November @ Sheffield Sharks L 70–61 DeAndre Liggins (18) Kevin Ware (8) Justin Robinson (3) Ponds Forge 0–2 3 13 November Sheffield Sharks W 88–73 DeAndre Liggins (32) Liggins, Ware (7) Justin Robinson (7) Copper Box Arena 1–2 4 15 November @ Leicester Riders L 97–76 Dirk Williams (20) DeAndre Liggins (8) Dirk Williams (7) Morningside Arena 1–3 5 20 November @ Newcastle Eagles W 79–99 Justin Robinson (23) DeAndre Liggins (14) Kevin Ware (4) Eagles Community Arena 2–3 6 22 November Leicester Riders W 98–89 DeAndre Liggins (26) Chris Taiwah (9) Kevin Ware (5) Copper Box Arena 3–3
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

Game log

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

Main article: 2020–21 BBL Championship

Standings

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

2020–21 game log
December: 4–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 3 December @ Newcastle Eagles L 88–79 Justin Robinson (17) Ikhinmwin, Taiwah, Williams (5) Justin Robinson (8) Eagles Community Arena 0–1 2 11 December Plymouth Raiders W 101–95 Orlando Parker (22) Alihodžić, Liggins (5) DeAndre Liggins (11) Copper Box Arena 1–1 3 13 December @ Cheshire Phoenix W 99–110 Orlando Parker (25) Orlando Parker (7) DeAndre Liggins (8) Cheshire Oaks Arena 2–1 4 18 December Manchester Giants W 92–88 Dirk Williams (37) Orlando Parker (9) Kevin Ware (7) Copper Box Arena 3–1 5 21 December Worcester Wolves W 103–71 Orlando Parker (25) Shane Walker (8) Justin Robinson (9) Copper Box Arena 4–1
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) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 20 2 April Sheffield Sharks W 93–81 Dirk Williams (25) Alihodžić, Tawiah (8) DeAndre Liggins (10) Vertu Motors Arena 13–7 21 4 April @ Worcester Wolves W 85–93 (OT) Orlando Parker (22) Chris Tawiah (12) DeAndre Liggins (9) Worcester Arena 14–7 22 7 April Glasgow Rocks W 110–73 DeAndre Liggins (30) Alihodžić, Spencer, Tawiah (6) DeAndre Liggins (7) Copper Box Arena 15–7 23 10 April @ Bristol Flyers W 73–84 DeAndre Liggins (18) Chris Tawiah (8) DeAndre Liggins (10) SGS College Arena 16–7 24 14 April Cheshire Phoenix W 87–61 Dirk Williams (17) Parker, Tawiah (8) Justin Robinson (7) Copper Box Arena 17–7 25 16 April Surrey Scorchers W 92–84 DeAndre Liggins (33) Fahro Alihodžić (10) DeAndre Liggins (4) Copper Box Arena 18–7 26 18 April Bristol Flyers W 85–74 Dirk Williams (19) Alihodžić, Ware (5) DeAndre Liggins (9) Copper Box Arena 19–7 27 21 April Leicester Riders W 86–81 Dirk Williams (29) Joshua Ward-Hibbert (7) DeAndre Liggins (7) Copper Box Arena 20–7 28 25 April @ Glasgow Rocks W 68–73 Dirk Williams (17) Parker, Ward-Hibbert (6) Jules Dang-Akodo (5) Emirates Arena 21–7 29 28 April @ Manchester Giants W 86–96 Dirk Williams (23) Fahro Alihodžić (9) Liggins, Robinson (6) National Basketball Performance Centre 22–7 30 30 April @ Sheffield Sharks W 68–80 Dirk Williams (20) DeAndre Liggins (10) DeAndre Liggins (10) Ponds Forge 23–7

BBL Playoffs

Game log

2021 playoff game log

May: 3–2 (Home: 3–2; Road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 3 May Cheshire Phoenix W 73–66 Dirk Williams (22) Kingsley Okoroh (9) DeAndre Liggins (6) Vertu Motors Arena 1–0 2 5 May Cheshire Phoenix W 95–60 Dirk Williams (17) Kingsley Okoroh (8) Justin Robinson (9) Worcester Arena 2–0 3 11 May Plymouth Raiders L 80–92 DeAndre Liggins (16) DeAndre Liggins (10) DeAndre Liggins (12) Morningside Arena 2–1 4 13 May Plymouth Raiders W 100–80 DeAndre Liggins (23) Walker, Williams (5) Justin Robinson (7) Morningside Arena 3–1 5 16 May Newcastle Eagles L 66–68 Orlando Parker (27) Orlando Parker (12) DeAndre Liggins (8) Morningside Arena 3–2

See also

• 2020–21 British Basketball League season

References

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.

External links

• London Lions (official website)
• British Basketball League (official website)
• Basketball Champions League (official website)
• FIBA Europe Cup (official website)
• FIBA (official website)