Basketball: Meldrum helps lift Tigers' spirits

THE THAMES Valley Tigers coach, Paul James, has started rebuilding his team after losing at least three key players to Budweiser League rivals, by signing the 6ft 7in Canadian Greg Meldrum, who was with Chester Jets last season, writes Richard Taylor.

Since the Tigers were beaten in the play-off final at Wembley in May, they have lost Lee Walker to Birmingham Bullets and John McCord to Edinburgh Rocks.

Now Bryan Balser has told the Tigers that he has accepted an offer from the play-off winners, London Towers, under their new American coach, Rob Abegglen, who replaces the Italian Lino Frattin.

Birmingham have re-signed the American player Justine Phoenix, while Brighton Bears (formerly Worthing) have re-signed Jon Gaines, their leading scorer from last season.