Simpson Inks Professional Contract With British Basketball League Team
7/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Leicester Riders website
Former Golden Flash to play for the same European squad Geno Ford did
KENT, Ohio – Anthony Simpson will be taking his high flying, sharpshooting talents across the pond next season. Simpson, the 2010 Mid-American Conference 'Sixth-man' of the Year, has signed a professional contract with the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League.
A native of Rockford, Ill., Simpson helped lead the Golden Flashes a MAC Championship and the N.I.T. round of 16 this past season. The 6'9" forward led the team with 25 dunks while averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and shooting 52 percent from the field.
"I am really looking forward to playing overseas," said Simpson. "I am excited about having the opportunity to prove myself on the professional level and show everyone over there what I can do on the basketball court."
Simpson will have some familiarity when he suits up for the Riders next season. Following a 1,700-point playing career at Ohio University, current Kent State Head Coach Geno Ford also launched his professional career with Leicester in 1997.  Â
In his lone season with the Riders, Ford averaged 18 points per game and also shot 49 percent from 3-point range and 91 percent from the foul line to lead the BBL in both categories.
The Riders posted a 21-15 record and finished sixth in the 13-team BBL last year. The BBL season runs from September to May.Â
