Worthing re-sign Lithuanian point.

Evaldas Zabas has returned to Worthing Thunder for a second season on the South coast. Zabas is a 6'2'' point guard from Lithuania, and has an impressive past behind him.

The former Lithuanian U20 international joined Worthing last season after a short spell at BBL rivals Worcester. Zabas had quit Worcester after American coach Chuck Evans was accused of racism and resigned.

Zabas had impresive stats last year, averaging nearly 15 points and 2 assists per game, playing a little out of position. Zabas excells at driving to the basket, but can also hit the 3. He's a great ball handler, and whilst not a natural point guard he has adapted very well and I think his future is at the position.

He's young too, just 21, and has a big future at a much higher level than the BBL, I am sure.

I think he is a great signing for Thunder; a proven point guard with great talent and potential, and crucially, he doesn't take up a non-permit space, as he is from Europe.

There are rumours too. Rumours of a number of role-players joining Thunder. In basketball terms, a roleplayer is a player who may not play a huge number of minutes, but still has uses on the court.

James Brame, for example, is a role-player returning from last season. James is 6'3'' and something of a utility player. I've seen him play all sorts of positions for Thunder from point, to a stand-in power forward, but he is certainly most comfortable in the back court.

Mansour Mbye is an intruiging player. He's a 6'6'' British forward, and certainly has the talent to be a decent player at BBL level and beyond, but his off-court problems have slighted his basketball career, and I doubt we'll ever see the best out of him.

Petroslav 'Pepe' Zafirov, is a 6'8'' Bulgarian forward/centre who played for Thunder at the start of last season. He has played at a very high level previously, but last year he failed to make the impact that the Thunder had been hoping for, and was cut after 5 games.

I don't know how likely it is that Mbye and Zafirov will suit up for Thunder this year, I think some of it will depend on how the next phase of recruitment goes, and whether we have a full strength squad by the start of the season. But local lad Brame will almost certainly see minutes; he is a BBL veteran and a valuable back up.