CRYSTAL Palace-based London Lions Basketball Club have added British forward Joel Barkers to their ranks.

Barkers, who stands at 6’6”, was born in the capital before going to school in the United States.

He attended the famed Mount Zion Academy High School, where he averaged 10 points a game.

The athletic forward attended Division One College, Hartford in Connecticut, averaging nine points and five rebounds per game before transferring to University of Central Missouri, a Division Two school, to finish his Collegiate career.

Graduating in 2011, Barkers averaged 10 points and six rebounds there.

London Lions coach Vince Macaulay said: “We needed to bolster our roster and Joel was a great fit.

“He’s English, likes working in and around the basket and fits the athletic mould we have as a team.”

Barkers grabbed five rebounds in the loss to Newcastle at the weekend and will be looking to the Lions two games this weekend to continue his assimilation into the Lions team.

Meanwhile, centre Phil Wait has been released due to his desire to transfer to another club.

London Lions host Glasgow Rocks at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on Friday (7.30pm) with tickets still available at Ticketmaster or on the door.

For further information on the London Lions, ticket details and a full list of this season’s fixtures, visit londonlionsbasketball.com

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