The British Basketball League All-Defensive Team of the Year features the League’s top stoppers as voted by the League’s Head Coaches, Captains and select members of the media.
Clifton Moore Jr
Tied with Sharma on 14 votes of a possible 21, rookie forward Clifton Moore Jr. takes home All-Defensive Team honours after a standout debut professional campaign in which the Pennsylvania native has improved significantly throughout.
Given his opportunity as a starter midway through the Championship campaign following injury to club captain Fahro Alihodzic, the American’s confidence ballooned, and the result has been the emergence of a forward who flourishes on both ends of the floor for Gareth Murray’s Gladiators.
With 1.5 blocks per game ranking just a smudge short of the league-leading Sharma, Moore Jr. has also been a significant rebound presence on both ends of the floor for his team with just under six per contest being enough to lead the Gladiators in that department.
Laken James
When James was last in the League for the 2021/22 season, the Wisconsin guard was an absolute menace on both ends of the floor but perhaps more renowned for her work on the offensive end.
This year, on her return to Caledonia, the script has been flipped somewhat as the American floor general hasn’t been required to put up the volume scoring numbers that were needed from her in her last stint in Scotland, allowing her defensive contributions to take centre stage.
Ranking second in the League in steals per game (2.3), James is all over the upper echelons of various statistical categories for her team as well, providing a potent spark for the second-seeded Gladiators on both ends of the floor.
Catch Laken James in Playoff Semi-Final action this Sunday as we face Newcastle Eagles on our road to the o2! Tickets available on the Fanbase app.
