Hey,

Good morning! After publishing the podcast first thing, the newsletter was the priority on my to-do list today, so let's get into it.

This week's 3-pointer:

🎙Podcast: Kareem Queeley

It's easy to forget Kareem is still just 19 years old - he burst onto the scene so young, as a 13 year old dominating Spain's MiniCopa whilst on trial with Real Madrid, that it feels like he should be a lot older than he is based on his career trajectory. Was good to jump on on the pod with him and discuss his journey so far, it's clear he has a good head on his shoulders and so I'm excited to continue following his career.

📱Tik Tok makes push for British basketball

Tik Tok partnered with the BBL & BE from last Sunday to promote the #BritishBasketball hashtag at the top of the discovery page - it's a positive move to see - views on the hashtag since Sunday have gone from 5million to 32million as I'm writing this so it is moving the needle somewhat. We've been experimenting with the Hoopsfix account to capitalise and and can see the power of the TikTok algorithm - 5 of the videos we've published have now done 20,000+ views, with one doing 650k+ and another 100k+. However, I remain sceptical of the numbers and the audience on there - it's easy virality but I don't think it's actually people engaged with/interested in British basketball. Outside of that, if I was TikTok, I would be pretty disappointed that my 'partners' on this, have posted so little - the BBL with one post since the launch (though plenty of franchises have joined and are making a push), and BE slightly better at five. Another opportunity not capitalised on like it should have been.

🦠 WBBL Cup Final Postponed

COVID-19 takes another major scalp, as there will be no WBBL Cup final this weekend - scheduled to be on Sky Sports - due Leicester Riders being unable to fulfil the fixture due to players and staff requiring to self-isolate. The Riders’ place in the final would have gone to Cardiff Met Archers – the team they beat in the semi-finals – per the COVID-19 regulations, but the Welsh side were also unable to play leaving a lot of question marks in the air, and begs the question whether Sevenoaks Suns will be able to reclaim their spot, having opted to take a break and originally being told they were unable to rearrange the Cup final fixture, having been willing to play in it.

That wraps up another drop, as always, hit reply with any questions, comments or anything else!

With gratitude,

Sam

P.S. Check out the weekly BBL Top 10 plays - where Tahir Hajat is carving out his own niche as the UK goatmentator on the comms! Also worth taking a look at the latest BBL Power Rankings.