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The Body and Mind Kent Crusaders basketball coach Jesse Sazant has announced that he will step down as coach of the Crusaders senior team.

The Canadian Coach, who became the senior side’s coach in 2004, will be replaced by the Crusaders’ assistant coach Mads Olesen, originally from Denmark.

Sazant, who has become a director of basketball with the Crusaders, has vowed to remain heavily involved in the development of the sport in Kent, however he felt that he was no longer able to devote the amount of time to the squad necessary to realise the team’s long term ambitions:

“It was incredibly tough to decide to step down as Crusaders head coach. The club is something I have played a major part in building and felt that I couldn’t find the time to meet the high standards I expect.” (more…)

Ryan Richards is the finest young basketball player that Kent has produced in recent years and is Kent’s best chance for representation in both the elite NBA and the GB Basketball team at the 2012 Olympics.

Ryan, who first played elite basketball with the Kent Crusaders, now plays his basketball full time with Spain’s Gran Canaria where he has quickly become a key member of their under 16 and 18 squads. Last season, while still only 14, Ryan regularly featured for the Crusaders men’s teams quickly earning his teammates and opponents respect.

Basketball is a much bigger sport in Spain than it is in Britain, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona fielding professional basketball sides. Richards has shown a huge improvement already after accepting the scholarship to Gran Canria’s academy. Recently he top scored with 33 points heling the Gran Canria regional team to a national championship.

Ryan, now 15 and originally from Sittingbourne, came back to Britain recently and we took the opportunity to talk to him first time about life in Spain:

How does playing in Spain compare to playing in England?

I’ve been in Spain for about six months now and it’s been great. Things are a lot different over here and it’s a whole different culture. We train here everyday and at first I struggled a bit with it. There’s a lot of lifting weights and I’ve improved a lot physically and my game has come on a lot. Living on my own in a different country has been good for me and I feel I’ve improved both as a player and as a person.

What’s it been like getting used to life in Spain – have you learned the language?

I’m still learning the language but Canaria has loads of guys from all over the world, from places like the Czech Republic and Somalia and most of them speak pretty good English so it’s been alright so far.

And the food?

The food’s alright, most of the time we’re on a special diet to help us put on weight but on Sundays we get to eat traditional food like Paella.

What do you hope to do next?

Well I want to go North and get a contract with one of the big clubs like Barcelona or Real Madrid, they have the same badge and everything as the football clubs. Then I want to go to America to one of the colleges and finally to the NBA!

Good luck with that!

Thanks

What’s it like being back in the UK?

Cold! It feels very cold over here. I’ve been training with the guys (Kent Crusaders) and it felt good to be back, although all the plays have changed and I didn’t really know what was going on.

What are the coaches like in Spain?

The training in Spain is really good, I’m stronger a lot faster and my fundamentals have improved a lot

Does your new coach shout as much as Jesse? (Jesse Sazant, Kent’s head coach)

(Laughs) No, no one shouts as much as him!

The New House Basketball Club took part in a sponsored shootout this past weekend. The club members managed to score a gigantic total of 1280 baskets in only 1 hour. Over 30 boys and girls between 8 and 17 yers old took part in the event.

The event was part of an attempt by clubs across Kent to score 10,000 baskets in similar shootouts around the county. The event was organised by the Kent Crusaders men’s National League team and some of their players were on hand to support the event on the day.

Crusaders coach Jesse Sazant commented, “This is one of a number of projects that we’re involved in to support community basketball. We are pleased to be involved with New House club and to support their development.”

The Kent Crusaders are pleased to announce that they will be running pre-game clinics for all juniors in the Kent area before every home game this season.

In partnership with Body and Mind, the Crusaders will run coaching sessions starting at 4:45 for Saturday home games and 1:45 for Sunday home games open to players aged 7-18. A number of Crusaders players will be on hand to provide instruction and coaching and to organise competitive games.

The sessions will cost £4 and include the clinic and a ticket to that evening’s home game (normally £2 for juniors).

The first clinic will be this Saturday, 30 September before the Crusaders open their season against the Southampton Trailblazers in the first round of the National Cup.

Team and school discounts are available if pre-booked. Please contact jessesazant@kentcrusaders.co.uk for more information

The Kent Crusaders hosted their second Crusader Cup on Saturday, welcoming local junior and senior players to the events new home at the outdoor courts at Body and Mind and Canterbury High School.

The Trinity team comprised of former Crusaders juniors Stef Kelk, Dayne Loader and Adam Drewry won the open final in overtime to take home the championship. Earlier the Angels (Kalil Irving, Gabriel Mansfield and Alex Hajilou) had been victorious in the under 15 final.

Head Coach Jesse Sazant proclaimed the day a great success stating “This was a great opportunity for us to further develop our links with the community and give our supporters a chance to socialise with our players.”

The Body and Mind Kent Crusaders play their first competitive game of their season at home this Saturday (30th) in a National Cup 1st round tie against league newcomers Southampton Trailblazers.

The Kent side must be careful not to look past Trailblazers, who have made two significant signings in the off-season; Mark Jackson and David Butterworth join Southampton from Solent Stars (EBL1) where the two were top scorers last season and both have played professionally in the BBL.

The game gives Crusaders a chance to unveil their much-changed side before the Division 2 campaign begins in earnest. And Crusaders coach Jesse Sazant is aware of the need for his team to impress early in the season; “We’re anxious to introduce our new team to all of our supporters and to step onto our home court for the first time this season, Trailblazers have some real talent and will present a good test for us.”

The reward for the winning side is a prestigious home tie against National League Division 1 champions Worthing Thunder on Sunday 22 October. Sazant added, “We need to be careful not to look past Southampton but the chance to host Worthing is obviously a great opportunity.”

The game tips-off at Body and Mind, Canterbury High School at 6:30 on Saturday, 30 September with the Crusaders pre-game clinic for all juniors running from 4:45-5:30. There will be an opportunity to meet the Crusaders after the game at the Sports Cafe at Body and Mind.

The Body and Mind Kent Crusaders are pleased to announce that the Crusader Cup 3 on 3 tournament will be returning for a second year. The Crusader Cup will take place on Saturday, 23 September at Body and Mind, Canterbury High School.

The event will run from 12:00-6:00 with registration starting at 11:30. Body and Mind’s outdoor court is a full size court, providing much more space than last year’s event. Teams can pre-register using the attached form or register on the day. Spaces are limited though so confirm your place as soon as possible.

This year we will be running Under 15, Under 18 and Open divisions. There will be EB merchandise for everyone who takes part and prizes for winners of each division, including a cash prize for the winners of the Open division (minimum £75, increased if over 8 open teams register).

This event is an ideal pre-season warm-up for the many teams across Kent gearing up for EBL, CVL, Medway and East Kent competitions. Discounts available for any club that registers 3 or more teams in the same division or 5 or more teams across all divisions.

Kent’s premier men’s team, the Body and Mind Kent Crusaders will be on hand throughout the day, refereeing games and organising the event. This is your first chance to meet the Crusaders new signings before Kent’s opening game of the season, Saturday, 30 September at 6:30 at Body and Mind. Kent will be hosting the Southampton Trailblazers in the first round of the National Cup before starting their Patron’s Cup campaign the following week when they host the Plymouth Raiders II.

Head Coach Jesse Sazant stated, “This event is really important for us. It’s a great way to kick off our first season in Division 2. We’re sure the Kent basketball community will support it well.”

Due to securing a venue so close to the event, we would appreciate you passing this on to anyone who may be interested as soon as possible. Please contact Jesse Sazant on 07765 218457 or jessesazant@kentcrusaders.co.uk for more information.