Basketball: Siemon departure denied by Lions

The Milton Keynes Lions' owner, Vince Macauley, has quashed speculation that the club are intending to release their All-Star American forward, Jason Siemon.

Rumours linking the 32-year-old with Essex Leopards grew yesterday when they released their forward Derrick Freeman to make way for a rebounder. Siemon is the third highest rebounder in the BBL Championship on 11.5 per game, behind team-mate Michael New (12.5) and Newcastle Eagles' Nikki Arinze (12.2).

However, Macauley said: "Jason is an All Star on and off the court and will not be leaving us this season. Hopefully he will finish his career, whenever that is, as a Lion."

But despite having two of the three highest rebounders, coach Nigel Lloyd's team have won only once this season – last Friday's surprising result at champions Chester Jets – and are in the bottom two in the BBL for three-point shooting, free throw shooting and points per game.

Unlike Lloyd, the Leopards' coach, Mike Taylor, needs to boost his board strength. The Leopards are ranked last in rebounding and Freeman's departure frees the most money on the payroll for recruiting and also allows Taylor to search for a non-work permit player.

This weekend's National Cup quarter-finals see holders Chester Jets visit Birmingham Bullets tonight. In tomorrow's ties, the Leopards are at home to London Towers, Thames Valley Tigers visit NBL Conference club Teesside Mohawks and Brighton Bears host Newcastle Eagles.

The Bears beat Newcastle 119-99 in the Championship last weekend, in a game which was more heated off the court than on. Newcastle's playmaker TJ Walker saw his wife, Tiffany, escorted from the arena at the request of game commissioner, Bob Andrews, after crowd members complained about her language.