SHOOTING guard Joel Keeble has re-signed with Reading Rockets for the coming season.

The 22-year-old, Ipswich-born star played a significant role in the back end of last season, and is looking to continue to make an impact.

The 6ft 5in youngster – who has been working on his shot and conditioning – said: “I’m excited to be a part of the organisation for another year. It’s always a blessing to have the Rockets logo on my chest and I can’t wait to be on court with my new team mates this coming season.”

Rockets chairman Gary Johnson added: “Joel is a great guy and a true Rocket so we are delighted he is able to come back to us for a third year. I don’t think we saw the best with him last year but we know the talent he has and what he can do.

“He is still an improving, young English player so he fits what we are looking for here and what my coaching staff will be working with very hard. The team has come together well.”

Rockets are currently in the midst of an intensive two-week training camp before their annual pre-season friendly against BBL Championship side Plymouth Raiders.

The Berkshire outfit will travel to Devon on Sunday.

  •  READING Rockets will begin their 2016-2017 campaign with a trip to Worthing Thunder in their first pool game of the National Trophy on Saturday, September 17.

The 2015-2016 National Cup and Play-off Runners up will then not be in competitive action until they host newly-promoted Solent Kestrels on Sunday, October 2.

Rockets will start their NBL Division One campaign the following week with a trip to Hertfordshire to take on Hemel Storm on Saturday, October 8, while they will enter the National Cup at the third round stage this season when they will host a Division Three or Four team at one of their training venues.

The first game at Rockets’ new home venue of Bohunt School in Arborfield will be against Derby Trailblazers on Saturday, October 15.

Play-off action will take centre stage during April with the finale taking place on Sunday, April 23 at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester with the Rockets looking to go one better this season after last year’s defeat to quadruple winners, Manchester Magic.