David Aliu says he is ‘loving life’ at the Cheshire Phoenix and believes the quality is there for a successful campaign.

Aliu put in a superb performance for the Nix as they bagged their first win of the BBL campaign at the third attempt, beating Leeds Force 66-48 at the Northgate Arena on Sunday.

The powerful 33-year-old forward, who hails from Liverpool, posted 18 points in the win over the Force and believes the Nix are only going to get better as time goes by under head coach John Coffino.

“It’s hard to assess anything when the season is only three games old but we are getting better each game and we are gelling well as a team,” said Aliu, who joined in the summer from BBL side Manchester Giants.

“The opening two games have been a good measuring stick for us and shown us where we can improve, but we have the quality to succeed and we’re working hard to make it click.”

“I’m my biggest critic and I always think that improvements can be made because I don’t like losing, but I’m loving life here at the moment, the whole place is geared up for success.”

Aliu, who graduated from Moorhead State, Minnesota, says the Nix have the right man in Coach Coffino to lead them to silverware and admitted to being impressed with the New Yorker’s coaching methods.

“He’s a top, top coach and has coached at a really high level in America and he knows exactly what he is doing,” said Aliu, whose 10-year professional basketball career has also taken in spells in Iceland, Spain and Switzerland.

“He is a really good people’s coach and is a good man-manager. He does a great job getting the best out of us and making us play the way he wants us to.

“We practice hard and the we know what is expected of us by the coach.”

Aliu is familiar with the Nix’s British contingent of Devan Bailey and Gareth Murray, but he feels that, once the American signings have gelled, the club can be a real force to be reckoned with this season.

“I knew all about the likes of Devan and Gareth Murray beforehand, but the American guys and Sasa have done really well since they have come in,” he added.

“Once we find our rhythm as a team I think we’ll be a real challenge for any team in this league.”