Super League Basketball (SLB) finally returned at the weekend, and it did not disappoint.

Fans were blessed with four riveting fixtures to commence the 2025-26 British basketball season, with the Surrey 89ers having to wait an extra few days before they can get back on the court.

There was an immense level of talent on display, but there were several takeaways that could shape how the remainder of the SLB campaign could potentially pan out.

Kevin Allen’s stunning debut display

Naturally, entering a new league and new surroundings can result in a player needing a period of transition to be able to showcase their true abilities – not Kevil Allen.

After signing for the Caledonia Gladiators just the day prior, the experienced American center had one of the most dominating debuts in recent history.

Standing at six feet 11 inches, Allen was relentless in the paint. The 31-year-old recorded 27 points and 16 rebounds while featuring in the game for just 27 minutes.

In a year where many British basketball spectators predicted the Gladiators might languish at the depths of the SLB regular season standings, Allen has provided a glimmer of hope that the campaign may not end in disaster.

Can Caledonia’s newest star perform at this level on a consistent basis?

London Lions’ resilient defence

It cannot be denied that the London Lions’ roster is blessed with fantastic quality and depth. With newly appointed head coach Tautvydas Sabonis leading the club back into the EuroCup, supporters have an abundance of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

One notable feature of this new look roster is not the offensive qualities of Kameron McGusty and reigning MVP Aaryn Rai, but the elite level of defending that the Lions exhibited in their season opener against the Leicester Riders.

London held the inaugural SLB Playoff champions to 72 points, as Rai demonstrated that he is more than an impressive scorer by recording two steals and three blocks during the victory.

Sabonis has placed an obvious emphasis on building a solid foundation. Every Lions player appears to know their defensive role, while also squeezing the creativity out of the opposition with constant pressure.

If the London Lions can limit injuries throughout a gruelling European campaign, this team could cement themselves as the giants of Super League Basketball.

Manchester Basketball’s electric performance

It has been a whirlwind 12 months for Manchester Basketball. However, the club’s marketing and social media teams have done a phenomenal job of making it an enticing hotspot for exciting British and overseas talent.

In addition, Manchester’s recruitment team has ridden the momentum to acquire players that can propel this team into championship contention.

Opening night showed that this roster is ready for that ambitious challenge.

The Cheshire Phoenix are a team that can always put points on the board regardless of the roster changes that take place; yet, Manchester were ready for this challenge – winning the fixture 92-89 in a game that was played at an exhilarating pace.

Max Jones may have been listed as one of my players to watch, but homecoming king Kaiyem Cleary showed the league that he was ready to become the offensive powerhouse for his hometown club.

Cleary was insatiable as he recorded 20 points while shooting 54.5% from the floor.

If Manchester Basketball can find an effective plan on defence to prevent opposing teams from registering a high tally of points, then this team has the potential to lift some form of silverware this season.

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