The Mack is back! The Leicester
Riders have announced their first acquisition of the summer as they’ve secured
return of point guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the 2023/24 season.
Mackenzie, who has signed a
one-year deal, is entering his third consecutive campaign with the Riders and capped
off a great campaign last time out with averages of 12.7 points and 3.8 assists
to earn a spot on the Molten British Team of the Year.
Reflecting on the return of
Mackenzie, Riders Head Coach Rob Paternostro said:
“Kimbal has been excellent
for us and we are thrilled to have him back at the club. We have enjoyed
working with him these past two seasons, he is a player who comes ready to play
every day.
“He is a versatile guard who
can be effective in many different spots on the floor and has shown the ability
to make winning plays in important moments of the game.
“His ability to fill
different roles last seasons was very impressive.”
Mackenzie’s form in the
2022/23 campaign for Leicester certainly turned heads, with numerous
game-winning performances for the former Champions – his 31-point explosion
against the Cheshire Phoenix in February proving a particular highlight.
“My family and I are thrilled
to be returning to Leicester for my third season.” Mackenzie said.
“Since day one, Leicester has
felt like home, and in the business of being a professional athlete, it can be
rare to be with the same team for multiple years, so I’m thankful for that.
“In deciding to come back,
it’s the culture that Coach Rob has built for years that played a big part. Rob
is a players’ coach, and the ultimate competitor, someone who I love going to
battle with. I look forward to playing with a great group of guys, and to
winning a lot of basketball games!”
Mackenzie’s form earned him
his first call-up to the Great Britain Senior squad, making his debut in a FIBA
World Cup Qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade.
Head to our YouTube channel
to relive some of Kimbal’s greatest performances for the Riders last yseason!