When the BBC live stream the BBL Play-Off final from London’s O2 Arena on May 10, Martyn Gayle has no intention of watching it on television.
The Cheshire Phoenix guard says he and his team-mates have every intention of being the stars of the small screen next month and believes he has seen enough already to know that they have the talent to succeed.
The 25-year-old joined John Coffino’s side in February after leaving BBL Championship rivals Manchester Giants at the beginning of the year.
He has made an impressive contribution, largely from the bench, in his short spell with the club and has set his sights on ensuring the Nix finish the season with the piece of silverware they so crave.
“We know it’s a long road to the O2 but we know we can do it if we play together and the way coach wants us to,” said Birmingham-born Gayle.
“Defence wins championships and this is what our focus is. Our plan is to be on the TV not watching it.”
Gayle, who has also plied his trade in the BBL with Birmingham Knights, believes the current Nix roster, boasting talent such as Demond Watt, Taylor King, Dustin Salisbery and David Aliu, is the finest he has played on by some stretch.
“The Nix are by far the most talented team I’ve ever been on and the calibre of these guys is on another level,” he added.
“The move was a great one for me as I’m playing with guys that have played at the highest levels and they believe in me.
“I’m really loving it and Coach (Coffino) is an awesome guy. You can speak to him on a level and he totally understands you. I love that about his coaching.”
Gayle is a product of the British basketball system and expressed his hope that the sport in the UK can continue to make headway, despite the current power struggle at the sport’s top table, with the current BBL licence under review by Basketball England.
“My brother and dad got me into it (basketball) when I was around five years old and I haven’t looked back since,” said Gayle, who hit 11 points from the bench in the emphatic 91-58 success over Durham Wildcats on Sunday night.
“Slowly but surely it’s all coming together for British basketball.
“I just hope it can become financially stable for me and British friends that I have grown up with to have a career in the game.”
OPINION: Chronicle reporter Dave Powell's take on the BBC screening the BBL Play-Off final.
