Hey,

As I'm writing this, the basketball court opposite me has literally just been unlocked for the first time in like 4 months. Unreal - things slowly starting to open up again...

This week's 3-pointer:

🎙Podcast: Big Mike on the mic

Enjoyed this week's Hoopsfix podcast episode with Manchester legend Mike Bernard, now coaching at Myerscough. The former England Senior international had a ton of interesting stories to tell, having seen first-hand various aspects of British basketball over the past 2-3 decades. As always, let me know if you have suggestions of future guests you'd like to see

🦁Lions facing Neptunas

London Lions will face Lithuanian side Neptunas Klaipeda in their first-ever Basketball Champions League tie after the Qualifiers draw was conducted this week. Neptunas are not an easy draw by any means, being regulars in the BCL regular-season, but it is a potential huge money-making opportunity for the Lions if - and it's a big if - they are allowed to play in front of fans; I have no doubt they should be able to fill the Copper Box with Lithuanians. They've also announced the re-signing of back-to-back MVP Justin Robinson, and captain Joe Ikhinmwin.

🏫College ball issues

Numerous British basketball players on scholarship at US colleges face uncertainty as to when and if they will be able to return to the US with the COVID-19 pandemic causing global havoc - the travel ban is stopping UK athletes getting to the US, whilst embassies are not issuing non-essential visas. Since publishing that article - the NJCAA and NCAA Division II has confirmed they won't be starting the basketball season until Jan 2021, whilst the US government has reversed visa guidelines that banned international students from the US if all of their classes were moving to online. And it's not just college hoops either, highly touted 2003 born Jeremy Sochan is moving from US high school to Germany this season due to the uncertainty around the pandemic. Crazy times.

That's another drop, as always, hit reply if you have any questions, comments or anything else.

With gratitude,

Sam