Ovie Soko back on court, GB stars in BBL action

Great Britain fans will get the chance to see star forward Ovie Soko back on a basketball court this weekend.

The star of Love Island hasn’t played since before he went on the TV show this summer.

He was unable to feature in GB’s EuroBasket 2021 qualifiers in August because of his role in ITV’s dating programme, though he did attend the win against Kosovo to support his teammates shortly after leaving the famous villa.

Now, after a whirlwind few months which has seen him become a fashion icon as well as a Sky Sports TV basketball pundit, he is back in action after signing for the London Lions in the BBL.

They host Glasgow Rocks at the Copper Box in the first league game of the season on Sunday (4pm) with a big crowd expected.

“I’m excited to be back home, and help contribute to basketball where my love for the sport started,” said Soko, 28.

“To play in front of friends and family and supporters in my hometown is huge for me, and I look forward to pushing the basketball culture in the right direction.”

He joins a Lions team which won their first league title last season and lifted the BBL Cup.

GB are back in action in February with games against Montenegro (a) and Germany (h) for more EuroBasket qualifiers and fans are sure to be keen to see the forward back in his national team colours.

Brit watch…

GB’s Justin Robinson will also feature for Lions alongside Jules Dang Akodo, while Gareth Murray and Alasdair Fraser will be part of the Rocks team.

Andrew Lawrence will be in action for the London Royals, Jamell Anderson for Leicester Riders and Ben Mockford will turn out for Cheshire Phoenix in other BBL action.

Meanwhile, Dan Clark has returned to Andorra in Spain’s ACB, Ashley Hamilton has signed with Coruna in Spain’s Lobo Oro and Devon van Oostrum has joined brother Nigel at Landstede Hammers Zwolle in Holland.

Watch Lions v Rocks live HERE