Reading Rockets add Ed Potter to roster ahead of new campaign

The 24-year-old guard returns after a season in NBL Division Four with Swindon Shock.

During his first spell with Rockets, Potter started life with the Berkshire outfit in the club’s nursery team before impressing then coach, Manuel Peña Garcés, who promoted him to first-team duties where he was a great spark off the bench.

Current coach Alan Keane was keen to retain the combo-guard’s services, but due to work commitments he was not able to re-sign last time out.

However, Potter has now been able to commit once again which has delighted the Rockets current play-caller who was very complimentary about the 6ft 2in guard.

Keane said: “Having Ed return to us is just great. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him in my first season at Rockets and was most impressed with his unwavering intent and tenacity, two real qualities I admire.

"He is the kind of player every coach wants on their roster; he will do the job you ask of him to the best of his ability and help his teammates in any way he can. We are thrilled to have him back in a Rockets vest."

Potter himself is looking forward to becoming a Rocket again and speaking ahead of his second stint with the club, he said: “At 24, playing another season with the Rockets is a special opportunity which I’m ready to throw myself at and I really can’t wait to get started.

"Having a taste of Division One two years ago made it a real no-brainer to come back to this level with my work commitments now allowing me to do so. I’m very much looking forward to meeting up with my new teammates and seeing if we can achieve something special this season.”

Rockets have also promoted Under 18s Samuel Grant and David Chive to the men’s first team and added academy graduates David Obediah and Asher Ndah to the squad.

Academy Director Matt Johnson commented: “As part of the Rockets programme, we have long been in the pursuit of developing young players and giving them the opportunity to play at the highest level possible in England, with this year being no different.

"With such a strong cohort of youth coming through it is exciting to see how many younger players are now in a position to play in our men’s and women’s division one teams.

"We are really looking forward to this season and seeing many young players making their names in senior competitions.”

Meanwhile, Rockets have announced head coach Keane will be assisted by Dan Lloyd and Ciaràn Dunne.

Lloyd steps up having worked with the club’s U18 teams last term and brings a wealth of experience having both played and coached at national team level as well as playing at the top level of British Basketball.

Dunne joins the Berkshire club and will take over U18 Premier duties from Ben Fisher as well as coach at the John Madejski Academy and be an integral member of the performance coaching team.

The Irishman joins Rockets having spent last season with the Canterbury Crusaders nursery team Northfleet Academy, as well as being an assistant coach for the Irish Under 18s and Under 16s for the past eight years.

Rockets host Essex and Herts Leopards in a friendly at Rivermead on Sunday (5pm), and Keane is looking forward to the campaign.

He said: “Every season brings different challenges and this coming season may bring the most. With the retirement of Danny Carter and the club now fully investing in EABL players cutting their teeth at the Division One, level it certainly brings a lot of unpredictability.

"What comes with that is excitement and many opportunities for club and players.

"While we may be young this coming season, I believe we will be dynamic enough to do good things. The combination of pro players and academy players is a fantastic recipe for growth, development and success for all.”