Cheshire Phoenix head coach John Lavery says he is pleased with how his squad is shaping up ahead of the new British Basketball League season in September.

Lavery’s roster for the new season currently stands at four, with captain David Aliu, UK guards Martyn Gayle and Sedale Hanson-Young and American guard Sean McGonagill all set to line up for the Nix at their new Cheshire Oaks Arena home next season.

The Nix head coach is hopeful of having finalised all of his squad by early August, with the club currently waiting on visas for two American imports, one of whom has significant NCAA Division One experience with a Big Ten Conference team while the other has been plying their trade in a strong South American league during the past season.

“It is still early days and we still have a few signings we need to get over the line, but things are looking good so far,” said Lavery.

“There is a lot of positivity around the club at the minute and hopefully that will carry on right to the start of the season.

“We’ve spoken to players and identified who we want but I don’t think we’ll be making any announcements until everything is sorted and visas have all been approved. At the moment we have a couple out and we’re just waiting on them to come back and for final confirmation on contracts.

“Hopefully, if everything goes well, we’ll be able to have our full roster assembled for the new season by the first week in August. That’s the aim.

“We won’t be getting the guys together until a little while after that as we’ll have to wait for the American guys to come over.”

Ex-Brown University standout Sean McGonagill was the first new face to join the Nix this summer
Ex-Brown University standout Sean McGonagill was the first new face to join the Nix this summer

The Chronicle understands that the Nix two potential American additions to the squad will be a strong forward with the ability to dominate in the paint and a former Big Ten college player at the three guard position who is dangerous from beyond the arc.

One player who Lavery is delighted to have secured the signature of is England international Hanson-Young, pictured inset, who the Nix head coach believes has a bright future ahead of him.

“I’m thrilled we’ve managed to sign Sedale, he’s a great kid and a great talent,” said Lavery of the 18-year-old, who has been selected for Great Britain's NBA star Luol Deng's 'Deng Camp 50' in London next month where he will showcase his skills to USA under 16 and U17 head coach Don Showalter in a bid to be crowned the UK's number one U18 player.

New Cheshire Phoenix signing Sedale Hanson-Young in action for Englnd under-18s at the FIBA European Championships
New Cheshire Phoenix signing Sedale Hanson-Young in action for Englnd under-18s at the FIBA European Championships

“He’s an exciting talent and he’ll be an asset for us. He’ll be a superb team-mate both on and off the court.”

Hanson-Young’s basketball pedigree runs in the family, with his father Nigel Hanson having played with the Birmingham Bullets and been a driving force behind the Birmingham A’s youth team, where Hanson-Young has honed his craft in recent years.

“Sedale had offers from other BBL clubs but I used to play basketball against his father Nigel and he was very keen for him to continue his basketball education with the Phoenix.

“We spoke at length beforehand and we all agreed that the Phoenix would be a great fit for him and would give him the best chance to develop his skills.”

The Nix begin the new BBL season with a trip to Leeds Force on Friday, September 18 before entertaining north west rivals Manchester Giants on Sunday, September 20 for what will be the first competitive game at the club’s new 1,400-seater home.