BBL NEW boys Durham Wildcats have been dealt a blow after Paul Elderkin was ruled out for three months with a ruptured shoulder ligament.
Elderkin, one of two sons of head coach Dave on the books at the expansion franchise, will be missing for the start of a campaign which begins with a BBL Trophy clash with Newcastle Eagles next month.
And while that is a blow for the Wildcats, Elderkin senior is confident his side will build on an encouraging pre-season. Durham warmed up for their debut season in the BBL with back-to-back friendlies against USA select sides in Newcastle last week.
The Wildcats hope to have one more pre-season game against Leeds Met. The BBL season starts on October 1 when the Wildcats play neighbours Eagles.
Elderkin senior added: “I watched the Eagles play one of the American touring teams and they really impressed me with their pre-season. The BBL is a big challenge, but the real test for us and to know where we are will be a couple of months into the season. The trophy games are really important.”
The Wildcats are still hopeful of bringing an unnamed American into the team by the end of the week, although further recruitment looks unlikely. Elderkin has already added sons Paul and Mark to the roster of young, hungry stars set to take their first BBL steps.
“I thought I was finally finished with the game when my lads persuaded me to start this club,” explained the eldest Elderkin. “That was quite a few years ago now but we’ve risen to the very top and all three of us are still here. I have always prided myself on developing young talent and that hasn’t changed.
“We will have five guys from the Durham area battling for court time this season and that’s got to be a good thing for North East basketball. We have a good core of English players that I think is always good. We also have Mike Capocci a 6ft 6in forward from Chicago, he is learning the system and everyone is working hard .”
Power forward Michael Davies and ex-Newcastle guard Odiba Attah will join the Elderkin brothers in battling for court time.
Wildcats chairman Quentin Sloper said: “Giving local talent a platform to showcase their skills in the BBL has always been a priority, we are hoping to see a steady flow of North East players come through the ranks in the next few seasons.
“But we are very fortunate to boast a core of talented young players already and we have high hopes for them in the future.”
