Super League basketball preview: How will Ballincollig, Neptune and Demons fare this season?

THE Men’s Super League returns this weekend with a new rule allowing teams to have two Americans on court together in the hope of driving higher standards and enticing new fans to the sport.

It's hard to if it will improve the level of basketball but the one guarantee you will have is that court time in some teams for Irish players will be restricted.

Neptune recruited former Belfast Star American Chrishon Briggs and an ex-Tralee Warriors professional in Jonathon Lawton, who played in Australia last season. On top of this, they have English-born Max Cooper who also played with Star and although his career to date has been ravaged by injuries if he does manage to stay fit he will be a decent addition. Jordan Blount is also a club professional with Spanish ace Nil Sabata soon to return from an ankle injury.

Ciaran O’Sullivan, who guided Ballincollig to their first title in his player-coach capacity, has gone with Americans Shawndale Jones and his IUP college teammate Dave Morris. The most significant signing could be their Bosman, as 6' 9" Latvian Nikola Rosa helped Tralee Warriors win the double in 2022 and is a quality act.

UCC Demons may have lost their superstar American MJ Randolph but returning coach Danny O’Mahony has Seventh Woods on board, a former North Carolina guard, and Zo Tyson, who has played professional basketball for the last four years.

Looking around the rest of the league Tralee Warriors have signed Jarvis Doles and Jonny Williams but with a couple of returning Irish players from American scholarships, they could pose problems.

Flexachem Killorglin signed Cork-born Michael McGinn as player-coach and have returning American RJ Kelly, along with Scott Angus Hankin, Dean McGregor, Kendal Jacks and Love Turdic; they will prove a test for the visiting UCC Demons on Saturday.

National Cup holders Maree of Galway will have Charlie Crowley back at the helm for a third season and he has gone with a decent array of professionals. Ken Jay Bosley, Terence Lewis and Kyle Carey will make them formidable opponents in the Southern Conference.

Maigh Cuillin (formerly Moycullen) of Galway are always competitive and coach John Cunningham has added Aitor Perez and Antonio Molina to their roster.

In the Northern Conference, Eanna under coach Darren McGovern have brought in James Gormley from Templeogue and a former Boroughmuir Blaze professional in Matt McClain. Johnny Grennell is back at the helm with Killester who retained the majority of their European brigade with Kason Harrell and Frederick Achilleas Kaimakilou joining their impressive line-up.

Adrian Fulton returns to Belfast Star for his fifth consecutive season and he looks to have put together a very decent squad. The American duo of Ramiir Dixon Conover and Tamyrik Fields look a formidable combination with Europeans Frenki Lilaj and the return of Max Richardson making them a team to fear, particularly on their home court.

The former Neptune American Michael Bonaparte is the new coach of Bright St Vincent’s and Mark Keenan returns to Templeogue for his ninth season hoping he can bring the golden days back to the club.

Sligo All-Stars have a huge home support and coach Shane O’Meara will bank on new signings John Williams, Ron Blain, Giorgi Tvalabeishvili and Tyler Mutemasango giving them a season to remember.