MVP Bell makes Plymouth move

Plymouth have swooped to sign last season’s BBL Player of the Year Jeremy Bell in time for Saturday’s BBL Cup tie at Durham.

Bell, 28, left the Cheshire Jets in the summer after a superb season in the north west, averaging 23 points per game, and featured in every single league game for the Jets.

To make way for the 6ft guard, the Raiders have released fellow American Ben Smith, just two months after joining the Raiders.

Head Coach Gavin Love said: “It was a tough decision to make. But it’s better to make it now rather than later in the season and bring in a great player like Jeremy who will really enhance the team.

“Ben has done a good job while he’s been here and he’s a great guy who has worked hard, but I thought we were lacking in a few important areas, and Jeremy helps to address these.”

Bell pipped Newcastle’s Trey Moore and Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan to the MVP award last season, and played a big part in eliminating Plymouth from the end of season play-offs.

Raiders’ chief executive Dave Briggs added: “We’re really excited about the announcement – it’s one of the biggest player signings in the club’s history.”