Basketball: Bears beat deadline with Medford deal

Brighton Bears, Birmingham Bullets and Leicester Riders all beat last night's deadline with a flurry of transfer activity, although the Bullets 6ft 9in new American, Ronnie Griffin, will arrive too late for tonight's basement clash with Leicester Riders.

The Bears, who have injuries to Randy Duck, Emiko Etete and Errol Seaman, signed the 6ft 6in English forward, Jason Medford. He previously played in the BBL for Sheffield Sharks and Thames Valley Tigers, but since 1998 has played on the continent.

Medford was ineligible for the Bears' game with Milton Keynes Lions last night, which Brighton won 69-59. They are now two wins behind the leaders, Sheffield, with four games in hand. Medford makes his debut against London Towers at Crystal Palace tonight.

Bottom-of-the-table Leicester signed the 6ft 10in Chris Webber, who has played in the BBL for Newcastle Eagles, Birmingham and Scottish Rocks as well as having a previous spell with the Riders in 1998.

He has been playing second division basketball in Greece for Larissa and makes his debut tonight against the Bullets as the Riders try to avoid their 22nd straight loss.

Griffin, the Bullets new signing, is the coach Tony Garbelotto's third American acquisition of the week after he released three players last week. Griffin arrives from Louisville, Kentucky, tomorrow. Earlier signings Antwan Jones and Jeff Bolton made their debut in the 88-74 defeat at the Tigers on Wednesday. But the shooting guard Bolton will not play tonight either after collapsing in training yesterday and subsequently being admitted to hospital.

Garbelotto's first choice for Griffin's slot was the 6ft 7in Tim Mason, but he failed to arrive from the United States after demanding more money.