London Lions continue to struggle during the Super League Basketball Women’s (SLBW) regular-season; however, Annika Shah’s elite performances show that hope is not lost for the franchise.

It was less than two years ago when the London Lions put British basketball on the map with a historic EuroCup triumph over Turkish outfit Besiktas in the Copper Box. This feeling of ecstasy for London supporters is a far cry from how they will currently be feeling about their team.

A roster that once boasted British superstars such as Holly Winterburn and Temi Fagbenle now languishes in the lower echelons of the league — holding a regular-season record of 3-4.

Nevertheless, with a postseason place still on the horizon, it would be foolish to discount the Lions from becoming competitive in the playoffs. Especially when they contain the power to unleash the league’s leading scorer — Annika Shah.

Shah’s sublime scoring

After graduating from Cal Poly University, Shah decided that the best place to hone her offensive skillset would be in England’s capital city with a franchise that is steeped in so much history, and now she is reaping the rewards for her decision.

Standing at around five-foot-three-inches, attacking the rim and being a threat on offence requires more than impressive attributes; it requires a deep knowledge of the game. Discovering mismatches, shrewd off-ball movement and reading the defence all become essential traits.

Fortunately, Shah possesses all over these skills and more. Most impressively, the former Mustangs guard has made the transition from collegiate level to the professional game look seamless.

So far this campaign, the 22-year-old has averaged 20.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

Given the fact that in this day and age Shah’s size would have her defined as a ‘small-guard’, and she is still heavily contributing on the glass, highlights the gritty determination that the player boasts.

The Oaklands Wolves are a team that is very aware of Shah’s devastating offensive ability. During their regular-season matchup in November, the Lions’ star was simply unplayable.

Not only did she record a season-high 29 points, but she also racked up 10 free-throw attempts due to her nifty footwork and electric change of pace. Additionally, she drained each shot from the charity stripe.

It cannot be denied that the London Lions are having a torrid time during the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, Annika Shah’s relentless displays are giving the fan base plenty to celebrate.