FAB Flournoy has told Newcastle Eagles prodigy Ross Wilson it is time to show the BBL what he is capable of after prepping the youngster for “big minutes” this weekend.
With the Eagles’ preparations still ravaged by a series of niggling injuries to key men, teenager Wilson has been earmarked for a pivotal role in Flournoy’s plans for clashes against Plymouth Raiders and Leicester Riders.
It is a big responsibility for the School of Excellence graduate, but Flournoy is convinced he has the mentality and ability to make his mark against two of the best teams in British basketball.
Flournoy said: “Ross knows he will be playing big minutes this weekend and it is time for him to show the world what he can do.
“I spoke to Marc Steutel and have taken Ross out of the junior teams because he will be playing tonight and he will be travelling with us to Leicester too.
“It will not be a case of staying focused and prepared in case someone fouls out or is injured – he will be involved heavily.
“I have told him up front so he knows and he can be prepared for that.” Wilson has long been regarded as the hottest prospect to come through the Eagles system and, after fleeting involvement last year, the intention was always to step up his minutes this year.
It is a measure of the faith the club have in him that they are ready to turn to him for two big games though, the first of which sees a very dangerous Plymouth side visit Sport Central tonight. Flournoy added: “This is the biggest weekend of his career, no doubt.
“The biggest moment so far was when he scored the winning bucket against Sheffield – it was his all-round attitude and play in that game which was so impressive.
“He had a great practice yesterday and has been training very well so we sat him down on Wednesday and talked to him about what is required and what he needs to do.
“This is the first time in his career he will be asked to play these minutes, so it is a big moment for him.”
Not that Wilson will need to be reminded, but the stakes could not be higher.
Flournoy said: “We are 5-0 in the league but Leicester are 4-0 and Plymouth are playing very well.
“We can lose the initiative in the league if we are beaten and then Saturday is the Cup game, which will set the tone for that tie as well.
“There have already been big weekends we have come through, but this is an important weekend and we will have to play better than we have done for the last fortnight if we are going to take anything out of it.” Although the Sheffield Sharks were tipped as pre-season title favourites, it has been the Raiders and the Riders who have impressed the most so far this season – along with the unbeaten Eagles.
Flournoy believes the influence of Mersey Tigers, last season’s peerless BBL champions, can be felt in all three teams. He added: “It is no surprise to me those three teams are doing well. We have Andy Thomson, the Raiders have James Jones and the Riders have Drew Sullivan.
“All three were big players for the Tigers last season and those three players are top quality.
“The only one who is not doing quite so well is Nate (Reinking) at Sheffield and that because they have too many weapons – but they will come good.”
