2023–24 London Lions season

The 2023–24 London Lions season is the 47th season of the franchise in the British Basketball League (BBL), and their 12th under the banner of London Lions.

2023–24 London Lions season
BBL champions
Playoff champions
Head coachSerbia Petar Božić
CaptainUnited States Sam Dekker
ArenaCopper Box Arena
BBL results
Record33–3 (.917)
Ladder1st
BBL TrophyRunners-up
(lost to Phoenix 82–98)
Playoff finishChampions (2nd title)
(Defeated Phoenix 88–85)
EuroCupSemifinalist
(lost to Paris 0–2)

Stats at BBL.org.uk
All statistics correct as of 19 May 2024.

This season will be their first under the leadership of their new head coach Petar Božić,[1][2] and their second season in the EuroCup Basketball competition.[3][4]

Roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

London Lions roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt.
C 0   Olaseni, Gabriel 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 104 kg (229 lb)
G 1   Taylor, Jordan (I) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 88 kg (194 lb)
G/F 2   Nwaba, David (I) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 99 kg (218 lb)
G 5   Udeh, Remy 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 80 kg (176 lb)
G/F 6   Soluade, Morayo 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 89 kg (196 lb)
F 7   Dekker, Sam (C & I) 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 99 kg (218 lb)
F/C 9   Morgan, Conor 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 100 kg (220 lb)
G 10   Nelson, Luke 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 86 kg (190 lb)
G 11   Queeley, Kareem 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 91 kg (201 lb)
C 14   Djanogly, Joshua 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 98 kg (216 lb)
C 20   Sharma, Josh 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) 104 kg (229 lb)
G 22   Phillip, Tarik 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 87 kg (192 lb)
F 23   Sandy, Ciaran 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 88 kg (194 lb)
G 30   Morgan, Matt (I) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 84 kg (185 lb)
G 31   Kaboza, Bradley 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 79 kg (174 lb)
F 32   Grantham, Donte (I) 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 95 kg (209 lb)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  •   Injured

Updated: 6 March 2024

Standings

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Ladder

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Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 London Lions (C) 36 33 3 3376 2935 +441 66 Playoffs
2 Cheshire Phoenix 36 23 13 3334 3148 +186 46
3 Caledonia Gladiators 36 23 13 3152 3044 +108 46
4 Sheffield Sharks 36 19 17 2930 2849 +81 38
5 Leicester Riders 36 18 18 3281 3291 −10 36
6 Newcastle Eagles 36 18 18 3256 3177 +79 36
7 Bristol Flyers 36 16 20 2925 2918 +7 32
8 Surrey Scorchers 36 14 22 2955 3092 −137 28
9 Manchester Giants 36 9 27 2920 3311 −391 18
10 Plymouth City Patriots 36 7 29 2887 3251 −364 14
Updated to match(es) played on 21 April 2024. Source: BBC Sport
(C) Champions


The BBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the BBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

Leader and qualification to playoffs
Qualification to playoffs
Last place
2023–24 BBL Championship
Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
Bristol Flyers448432223466456677787787777
Caledonia Gladiators366664344553322223333333333
Cheshire Phoenix135353432222233332222222222
Leicester Riders1073225556777777744545555655
London Lions211111111111111111111111111
Manchester Giants81078888999999999999999991099
Newcastle Eagles522777777645645465454444465
Plymouth City Patriots799991010101010101010101010101010101010101091010
Sheffield Sharks654546665334564556666666544
Surrey Scorchers981010109988888888888878878888
Updated to match(es) played on 21 April 2024. Source: BBL.org.uk

EuroCup ladder

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Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Qualification
1   Paris Basketball 18 17 1 1754 1401 +353 Advance to quarterfinals
2   Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 18 13 5 1729 1600 +129
3   London Lions 18 12 6 1608 1546 +62 Advance to eighthfinals
4   Prometey 18 10 8 1598 1574 +24
5   Joventut Badalona 18 10 8 1517 1503 +14
6   Beşiktaş Emlakjet 18 9 9 1400 1428 −28
7   Wolves 18 8 10 1462 1550 −88
8   Umana Reyer Venezia 18 8 10 1507 1538 −31
9   Veolia Towers Hamburg 18 2 16 1478 1762 −284
10   Cedevita Olimpija 18 1 17 1509 1660 −151
Source: EuroCup
Rules for classification: All points scored in extra period(s) were not counted in the standings, nor for any tie-break situation.

Game log

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BBL Championships

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2023–24 game log
Total: 33–3 (Home: 16–2; Road: 17–1)
September: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 16 September @ Surrey W 61–83 Olaseni, Phillip (13) Gabriel Olaseni (10) C.Morgan, Kaboza (4) Surrey Sports Park
850
1–0
2 21 September Caledonia W 93–65 Gabriel Olaseni (14) Gabriel Olaseni (10) Grantham, Soluade (4) Copper Box Arena
1,431
2–0
3 23 September @ Manchester W 76–115 M.Morgan, Nelson (18) Josh Sharma (6) Tarik Phillip (8) National Basketball Performance Centre
800
3–0
4 28 September Bristol W 98–84 Matt Morgan (25) Grantham, Olaseni (7) three players (5) Copper Box Arena
1,494
4–0
October: 7–0 (Home: 4–0; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
5 1 October @ Cheshire W 82–91 Matt Morgan (33) Matt Morgan (8) M.Morgan, Olaseni (3) Cheshire Oaks Arena
200
5–0
6 8 October Manchester W 94–89 Matt Morgan (30) Tarik Phillip (8) Jordan Taylor (7) Copper Box Arena
2,545
6–0
7 13 October Cheshire W 99–80 Conor Morgan (17) Conor Morgan (8) Luke Nelson (10) Copper Box Arena
1,778
7–0
8 16 October Newcastle W 109–104 (OT) Matt Morgan (30) Gabriel Olaseni (9) Luke Nelson (6) Copper Box Arena
822
8–0
9 20 October @ Sheffield W 76–92 Conor Morgan (19) Ciaran Sandy (9) M.Morgan, Nelson (5) Canon Medical Arena
n/a
9–0
10 22 October Surrey W 82–70 Conor Morgan (17) Conor Morgan (8) Grantham, Phillip (6) Copper Box Arena
3,258
10–0
11 27 October @ Newcastle W 86–99 Conor Morgan (17) Gabriel Olaseni (10) Gabriel Olaseni (9) Vertu Motors Arena
n/a
11–0
November: 3–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
12 3 November Bristol W 95–67 Matt Morgan (19) Gabriel Olaseni (7) Morayo Soluade (6) Copper Box Arena
2,300
12–0
13 5 November @ Plymouth L 94–70 Bradley Kaboza (21) Donte Grantham (7) Morayo Soluade (4) Plymouth Pavilions
n/a
12–1
14 10 November @ Leicester W 95–102 Donte Grantham (22) Donte Grantham (11) Jordan Taylor (5) Leicester Arena
n/a
13–1
15 19 November @ Manchester W 84–92 Matt Morgan (32) Josh Sharma (9) Matt Morgan (6) National Basketball Performance Centre
n/a
14–1
16 23 November Newcastle L 80–102 Kareem Queeley (13) Conor Morgan (6) Jordan Taylor (7) Copper Box Arena
1,236
14–2
December: 7–1 (Home: 5–1; Road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
17 1 December @ Leicester W 79–89 Conor Morgan (19) C.Morgan, Sharma (7) Jordan Taylor (8) Leicester Arena
n/a
15–2
18 3 December Caledonia L 94–100 (OT) Gabriel Olaseni (26) Conor Morgan (6) Jordan Taylor (8) Copper Box Arena
n/a
15–3
19 8 December Plymouth W 91–84 Matt Morgan (27) Ciaran Sandy (8) Jordan Taylor (5) Copper Box Arena
1,304
16–3
20 10 December Leicester W 100–62 Conor Morgan (21) C.Morgan, Sharma (7) Tarik Phillip (5) Copper Box Arena
1,447
17–3
21 15 December Cheshire W 102–95 Matt Morgan (28) Jordan Taylor (5) Jordan Taylor (9) Copper Box Arena
1,279
18–3
22 17 December Manchester W 99–91 (OT) Matt Morgan (31) Matt Morgan (11) Jordan Taylor (7) Copper Box Arena
1,731
19–3
23 24 December Sheffield W 83–64 Conor Morgan (15) Conor Morgan (10) Jordan Taylor (5) Copper Box Arena
2,223
20–3
24 29 December @ Caledonia W 79–87 Gabriel Olaseni (18) Conor Morgan (11) Jordan Taylor (8) Playsport Arena
1,600
21–3
January: 1–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
25 1 January @ Surrey W 80–85 Gabriel Olaseni (25) C.Morgan, Olaseni (8) Luke Nelson (9) Surrey Sports Park
n/a
22–3
February: 5–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
26 2 February @ Newcastle W 87–105 Donte Grantham (18) Donte Grantham (8) Nwaba, Queeley (5) Vertu Motors Arena
2,700
23–3
27 4 February Plymouth W 105–84 Matt Morgan (19) Kareem Queeley (6) Tarik Phillip (7) Copper Box Arena
n/a
24–3
28 8 February Sheffield W 84–73 Donte Grantham (20) Donte Grantham (10) Gabriel Olaseni (5) Copper Box Arena
n/a
25–3
29 11 February @ Sheffield W 79–89 Conor Morgan (20) Tarik Phillip (9) three players (5) Canon Medical Arena
n/a
26–3
30 17 February @ Bristol W 93–101 Matt Morgan (31) Conor Morgan (11) Tarik Phillip (6) SGS College Arena
750
27–3
March: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
31 3 March Leicester W 105–89 Sam Dekker (17) Gabriel Olaseni (6) Donte Grantham (6) Copper Box Arena
4,231
28–3
32 8 March @ Caledonia W 76–82 Matt Morgan (22) Gabriel Olaseni (19) Matt Morgan (5) Playsport Arena
1,600
29–3
All-Star Game
April: 4–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
33 7 April @ Bristol W 71–86 Gabriel Olaseni (21) Gabriel Olaseni (10) M.Morgan, Phillip (5) SGS College Arena
750
30–3
34 12 April @ Plymouth W 57–93 Conor Morgan (20) Josh Sharma (11) Tarik Phillip (7) Plymouth Pavilions
n/a
31–3
35 18 April Surrey W 97–85 Matt Morgan (24) Josh Sharma (7) M.Morgan, Phillip (5) Copper Box Arena
2,243
32–3
36 21 April @ Cheshire W 92–105 Matt Morgan (30) David Nwaba (9) Matt Morgan (5) Cheshire Oaks Arena
n/a
33–3
2023–24 season schedule

EuroCup

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2023–24 game log
Total: 12–6 (Home: 4–5; Road: 8–1)
October: 3–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 4 October Venezia W 76–69 Donte Grantham (23) Grantham, Olaseni (7) Jordan Taylor (7) Copper Box Arena
1,287
1–0
2 10 October @ Humburg W 94–100 Matt Morgan (21) Conor Morgan (9) Matt Morgan (6) Edel-optics.de Arena
1,279
2–0
3 18 October @ Prometey W 89–99 Matt Morgan (21) Donte Grantham (11) Tarik Phillip (8) Arena Riga
1,357
3–0
4 24 October Paris L 102–106 (2OT) Matt Morgan (26) Gabriel Olaseni (11) Tarik Phillip (9) Copper Box Arena
6,152
3–1
November: 4–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
5 2 November Hapoel Tel Aviv L 90–98 Matt Morgan (22) Donte Grantham (12) Jordan Taylor (8) Copper Box Arena
85
3–2
6 8 November @ Joventut Badalona W 76–87 Gabriel Olaseni (21) Gabriel Olaseni (9) Olaseni, Phillip (5) Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona
2,979
4–2
7 15 November @ Beşiktaş W 80–83 Gabriel Olaseni (24) Matt Morgan (8) Matt Morgan (7) Akatlar Arena
2,882
5–2
8 22 November Cedevita Olimpija W 101–95 Matt Morgan (24) Gabriel Olaseni (12) Jordan Taylor (8) Copper Box Arena
3,298
6–2
9 28 November @ Wolves W 87–101 Conor Morgan (22) Donte Grantham (8) Jordan Taylor (5) Avia Solutions Group Arena
3,724
7–2
December: 2–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
10 5 December @ Venezia W 91–95 Gabriel Olaseni (23) Gabriel Olaseni (12) C.Morgan, Taylor (4) Palasport Taliercio
2,636
8–2
11 13 December Humburg L 81–83 Gabriel Olaseni (24) Gabriel Olaseni (9) Luke Nelson (5) Copper Box Arena
1,764
8–3
12 20 December Prometey W 89–88 Gabriel Olaseni (19) Gabriel Olaseni (10) Matt Morgan (7) Copper Box Arena
3,378
9–3
13 26 December @ Paris L 94–77 Matt Morgan (18) Gabriel Olaseni (7) Jordan Taylor (4) Halle Georges Carpentier
2,764
9–4
January: 2–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
14 9 January @ Hapoel Tel Aviv W 96–100 David Nwaba (17) Gabriel Olaseni (10) Tarik Phillip (7) Aleksandar Nikolić Hall
closed event
10–4
15 17 January Joventut Badalona L 80–82 Matt Morgan (20) David Nwaba (8) Conor Morgan (5) Copper Box Arena
2,163
10–5
16 24 January Beşiktaş W 93–72 Matt Morgan (20) Grantham, Olaseni (6) Matt Morgan (4) Copper Box Arena
1,357
11–5
17 31 January @ Cedevita Olimpija W 85–92 Matt Morgan (26) Gabriel Olaseni (7) Matt Morgan (6) Arena Stožice
2,317
12–5
February: 0–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
18 7 February Wolves L 80–85 M.Morgan, Nwaba (16) Gabriel Olaseni (8) Matt Morgan (4) Copper Box Arena
4,119
12–6
2023–24 eurocup schedule

EuroCup Playoffs

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2024 playoff game log
Total: 2–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–1)
Eightfinals: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 6 March Türk Telekom W 100–77 David Nwaba (19) Gabriel Olaseni (8) Tarik Phillip (5) Copper Box Arena
3,141
1–0
Quarterfinals: 1–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 13 March @ U-BT Cluj-Napoca W 79–91 Sam Dekker (21) David Nwaba (8) Donte Grantham (4) Bt-Arena
10,000
1–0
Semifinals: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 26 March @ Paris L 99–86 David Nwaba (24) Olaseni, Nwaba (5) Tarik Phillip (8) Adidas Arena
5,425
0–1
2 29 March Paris L 85–93 Matt Morgan (25) David Nwaba (9) David Nwaba (4) Copper Box Arena
5,486
0–2
2024 eurocup playoff schedule

BBL Trophy

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2024 BBL Trophy game log
Total: 4–2 (Home: 3–1; Road: 1–1)
January: 4–2 (Home: 3–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 4 January Newcastle W 99–77 C.Morgan, Nelson (20) C.Morgan, Sandy (9) Gabriel Olaseni (9) Copper Box Arena
n/a
1–0
2 7 January Leicester W 89–74 Donte Grantham (16) Ciaran Sandy (11) Tarik Phillip (9) Copper Box Arena
2,960
2–0
3 12 January @ Manchester W 75–106 Matt Morgan (22) Tarik Phillip (7) Tarik Phillip (7) National Basketball Performance Centre
n/a
3–0
4 19 January @ Bristol L 94–72 Bradley Kaboza (18) three players (6) Donte Grantham (5) SGS College Arena
n/a
3–1
5 27 January Caledonia W 85–75 Josh Sharma (19) Gabriel Olaseni (15) Matt Morgan (4) Arena Birmingham
n/a
4–1
6 28 January Cheshire L 82–98 David Nwaba (18) Donte Grantham (9) Donte Grantham (3) Arena Birmingham
n/a
4–2
2023–24 trophy schedule

BBL Playoffs

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2024 playoff game log
Total: 5–0 (Home: 3–0; Road: 2–0)
Quarterfinals: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 28 April Surrey W 80–65 Gabriel Olaseni (16) Gabriel Olaseni (7) Matt Morgan (7) Copper Box Arena
n/a
1–0
2 3 May @ Surrey W 96–105 Matt Morgan (22) Gabriel Olaseni (8) Jordan Taylor (7) Surrey Sports Park
n/a
2–0
Semifinals: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
3 10 May @ Newcastle W 75–106 David Nwaba (19) Gabriel Olaseni (11) Tarik Phillip (8) Vertu Motors Arena
1–0
4 12 May Newcastle W 94–81 M.Morgan, Nwaba (18) Donte Grantham (11) M.Morgan, Phillip (5) Copper Box Arena
1,740
2–0
Playoff final: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
5 19 May Cheshire W 88–85 Sam Dekker (17) Sam Dekker (10) Tarik Phillip (7) The O2 Arena
n/a
1–0
2024 playoff schedule

Transactions

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Re-signed

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Player Signed
Sam Dekker
Josh Sharma
Luke Nelson
Morayo Soluade
Jordan Taylor
Tarik Phillip
Kareem Queeley
Bradley Kaboza

Additions

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Player Signed Former team
Gabriel Olaseni Darüşşafaka
Conor Morgan Bahçeşehir Koleji
Matt Morgan Le Mans
Donte Grantham SLUC Nancy Basket
Ciaran Sandy Mercyhurst Lakers
Rokas Gustys Fundación CB Granada
Joshua Djanogly Wolfenbüttel
David Nwaba 4 January 2023 Motor City Cruise[5]

Subtractions

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Player Reason left New team
Joshua Ward-Hibbert Free agent Newcastle Eagles
Vojtěch Hruban Free agent Cholet Basket
Tomislav Zubčić Free agent Napoli Basket
Aaron Best Free agent Trefl Sopot
Miye Oni Free agent Osceola Magic
Rokas Gustys Released (NRP) TBC

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "London Lions Confirm Petar Božić As New Head Coach". BritishBasketballLeague.com. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. ^ "London signs head coach Bozic". euroleaguebasketball.net. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. ^ "2023-24 BKT EuroCup: Group A at a glance". euroleaguebasketball.net. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  4. ^ "British Basketball League clubs prepare for historic 2023/24 European campaign". BritishBasketballLeague.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. ^ Maggi, Alessandro (4 January 2024). "David Nwaba signs with London Lions". Sportando.basketball. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
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