Playing in his eighth season with the Leicester Riders, Jamell Anderson recently reached the remarkable feat of 2000 BBL points. Anderson has been an integral part of the revolution of the Riders’ franchise spanning the last decade.
“The organisation has grown, and the brand of the club has been established,” said Jamell. “The Riders have an identity, and it’s cool to see that not only are they successful on the court, but their off-court brand matches their performance.”
Anderson joined the Riders in 2011 with a Loughborough scholarship: a fundamental part of his development as a basketball player. “The facilities were world-class, and they provided you with everything you needed to be great”.
This development allowed Anderson to make an immediate impact on the Riders, ending a 12-year trophy drought in a treble-winning 2013 season. He scored 15 points in the BBL Cup final to bring home Leicester’s first trophy of the treble.
“We were probably considered the underdogs that year, and it was great to be part of that turnaround. We worked so hard in training every day, so to get rewarded with a trophy like that, my first trophy, was an incredible feeling.”
Anderson’s performances for Leicester in the historic 2013 season earned him Nottingham’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
“Being recognised for achievements away from home is awesome. I went to the awards evening with my mum, and it was nice for her to see that in Nottingham, where she brought me up. To be rewarded for my hard work was such an honour.”
In 2016, Anderson took his talents to Cheshire, before playing in Spain. In 2018, he rejoined the Riders. “I know the Riders staff and organisation really well. It was nice to be part of the family again. I knew that being at the Riders, I can flourish”.
And flourish he did, as Anderson remains a fundamental part of the Riders’ success. His late basket recently sealed a win that put Leicester 12 points clear at the top of the BBL. A fan favourite, Jamell brings valuable championship experience to the Riders. He is an exceptional asset to the team, on and off the court, highlighted by his approach to the rest of the season. “If we have the same mindset as we have all season, which is to get better every day, then it should be a successful year for the club.”
