The Milton Keynes Breakers will play their first NBL Division 1 League game in history this Saturday as the team heads east to take on Essex Rebels.
The Breakers and Rebels have already faced off this season, when the Breakers took down the Rebels 71-57 in preseason action at Bletchley Leisure Centre in early September. Adrian Scarborough was the star that day, posting 18 points and 13 rebounds for the home side.
The Breakers will be in high spirits coming off a perfect September that saw them top their KitKing Trophy Group with wins over City of Birmingham Rockets, Bristol Hurricanes and Loughborough Riders. Those wins set up a quarterfinal tie with the Bradford Dragons, where the Breakers produced some of their best basketball of the young season, running out 95-68 winners.
The Rebels also had an impressive showing in the KitKing Trophy, picking up wins over London Elite and heavily fancied Hemel Storm, only to miss out on a quarterfinal spot by points difference.
Coming off their best season in history that saw them lose out on the league title on points difference alone, the Rebels have constructed another strong roster. Returning Point Guard Luke Busumbru was named to the NBL Division 1 Team of the Year last term, averaging 11.9ppg, 6rpg and 5.1apg. He is joined in the backcourt by sharp-shooting American Connor Nelson who contributed 12ppg on 40% 3-point shooting last season.
Big men Emmanuel Kanwei (Newcastle Knights) and Daniel Johnson-Thompson (Worthing Thunder) were lured to Colchester this summer by Rebels coach Ross Norfolk to bolster the Rebels front court.
Rebels most recent signing, BBL veteran Joe Hart will add experience and leadership to the Rebels side. The Essex-native most recently played at the Plymouth Patriots.
Tickets for the game can be purchased HERE.
