Basketball: Rare visit to Palace for Duke

London Towers may be taking a sabbatical from European competition for only the second time in eight years, but they are restoring the rich tradition of international basketball to their Crystal Palace home with two games against leading American college team Duke University next week.

Duke are making their first foreign tour since 1988 as part of their pre-season programme for the NCAA Division One season and face London on Sunday and Monday. They follow in the footsteps of other top US college sides that have played at the National Sports Centre venue down the years.

Towers' American coach David Lindstrom, whose team also have a BBL Championship match against Thames Valley Tigers at the NSC on Saturday night, is relishing the challenge of facing opposite number Mike Krzyzewski.

Lindstrom said: "To have a team of the quality of Duke, led by Coach K, visiting us is a hugely exciting thing. It will be a great experience for our players and a real thrill for our fans."