London Lions today confirmed that shooting guard Ed Lucas will return to the Copper Box this season as plans continue ahead of the team’s entry into the Basketball Champions League.

The 6’3” Lucas joined the Lions mid-season last term and turned in some hot performances. The 27-year-old averaged 10 points a game, shooting 40% from behind the arc and going perfect at the free throw line.

Having played with London City Royals previously, Lucas enjoyed six years playing in his native Angola – four years with top Angolan side Primeiro de Agosta and the last two with Petro de Luanda where he led his team at Petro de Luanda to a Play-Off Championship victory in 2017.

Lucas developed his game at the Brixton Topcats and also played for the Westminster Warriors.

“I’m very happy to be back with the Lions,” said Lucas. “A lot of unfinished business was left on the table last season, so this year I’m just looking to carry on from where we left off and more.

“Also with the Basketball Champions League to look forward to, it’s going to be a tough but exciting new challenge and opportunity for us as a team to showcase the best of British basketball on the European stage. With the guys we’ve got on the team, I know we’ll all buy into winning and we can definitely cause a stir. How far we go will ultimately be down to how hard we fight. I can’t wait to get on the floor and represent London.”

Lions coach Vince Macaulay added, “Ed is a super professional and that is why he is back with us, his shooting prowess is tremendous, he will be a real asset to our campaign. People also don’t realise how tough a defender he is, all qualities we will need in this very important campaign for us.”

Fans will get to see the team for the first time on 15 September, with Lions taking on Neptunas Klaipeda in a Basketball Champions League qualifier.

Tickets and details of television coverage will be confirmed nearer the date.