Gavin Love running out of time to complete final signing
MARJON Plymouth Raiders coach Gavin Love continues to scour the transfer market in a bid to recruit a new big-man in time for Sunday's opener against London Lions.
Lions visit the Pavilions in Raiders' first league game of the 2012/13 BBL season.
Raiders' core seven-man rotation has been reduced to six by a serious knee injury to big-man Anthony Rowe, who is set to be out until November at least.
British centre and free agent Liam Potter, 26, has been on trial at Raiders for two weeks, but Love is still to strike a deal for him.
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Love must register any new signing with governing body England Basketball by 4pm tomorrow for them to be eligible on Sunday.
Love said: "Right now I'm looking at a number of British guys we could add to the roster.
"I hope it's before Sunday, because to go into the game with only a core rotation of six would be a little bit shallow.
"Like I said, that's not certain yet, but we have to try and get something done."
Potter, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, averaged 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 13 minutes per game for Slovakian champions Prievidza last season.
He played in Raiders' four pre-season friendlies at the Pavilions and impressed at the defensive end, aggressively blocking shots.
However, if he became isolated offensively, we also saw his limitations.
Whether Potter signs for Raiders or not, Love is resigned to losing Rowe's offence and the 13.3 points per game he averaged last season.
Love said: "Whoever it is won't bring us the same scoring punch as Anthony, but they'll definitely bring something to the table.
"Liam's a big guy who brings presence and can block shots, which is something we definitely lack.
"We are stronger in other areas this year, but we're not a big team and that's something we have to try and correct I think to be a top four team this season."
Love added: "It's got to be right for both parties and we're trying to put something together that both parties are happy with.
"It comes down to a lot of things, like accommodation for example. It's not just clear cut. It's more complicated than some people think.
"It will be probably be a month to month contract to start with, until everyone's fully fit and we can re-evaluate what we need and whether that person wants to stay.
"We don't still know what's going to happen with Anthony Rowe and his knee, but whoever comes in I'd like to think we can keep them for the whole season, because obviously a seven-man rotation is pretty thin."
Raiders guard Drew Lasker, talking of the balance on the team's roster this season, said: "Liam is a presence inside because he's 7ft. It doesn't matter how athletic a seven-footer is, when you attack him at the basket you have to change your shot.
"Liam can make a big difference to us defensively, which can create fast-break opportunities for us."
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