Thunder to start without new coach

Thunder are hopeful that he will be here within the next couple of weeks but will head to Plymouth in the BBL Trophy with assistant coach Alan Sweetman-Hicks taking the reigns.

They will travel to Plymouth with an eight-man squad after James Brame, Pepe Zafirov, Mansour Mybe and Evaldas Zabas all returned to the club in the last week, to join previously-signed Shaun Durrant, John Nottley and Adam Williams. Dominic Baker, a 6ft 2in guard, who lived in Angmering and went to college in America, before playing in Iceland last year, has also joined.

It has been a frustrating summer since coach Dave Titmuss quit Thunder in May, and Sweetman-Hicks said: “We’re not as prepared as we would like to be heading into the season but, thankfully, we’re playing in the Trophy and don’t start the BBL League campaign for three weeks.

“By the time the league season starts, we’ll have everything sorted – one way or another.”

On their aims for the year, he said: “We made the play-offs last year and we’ll hope to make them again this year.

“The British and Euro guys we’ve got in the squad are as good as any we’ve had here and if you put two Americans into the mix, we’ve got a good set-up.”

Former Thunder coach Gary Smith, now director of coaching, has been coaching the team this week to get them ready for the season.

Thunder were delighted to tie up the return of Zabas, who joined the club from Worcester Wolves in December.

He averaged 15 points per game in 21 appearances and Thunder club chairman Frank Gainsbury said: “We are delighted to welcome Evaldas back to Worthing. Last season, he was a key player in the squad and made a huge difference with a number of match-winning plays for us in some important fixtures.

“His natural ability, enthusiasm and dedication will be a tremendous asset to the club.”