Could the Kestrels make the step to the BBL?

There has been talk recently and the question of could any D1 teams make the step to the BBL?

Obviously, finances and venues are a factor in this, so factoring that out, based on quality and the things on court lets take a look.

At the top of NBL D1 sit, Derby Trailblazers, however its the team sat in third i want to talk about, the Solent Kestrels.

The Solent Kestrels are a great team and currently sat 3rd in the table (6-0), last weekend the Kestrels faced D1 front runners in the BBL Trophy, they won 101-73. This tells you everything you need to do know. In Division 1, the Kestrels have the best defense in the league, giving up just 402pts inside 6 games, that's 67pts per game, whilst the average they score is 104.

Also, going back to the 19/20 season, the Kestrels did it in the BBL Trophy going all the way to the finals but just losing in Overtime to the Newcastle Eagles. Along the way the Kestrels faced two BBL opposition. Lions and Flyers and then lost by two to the Eagles in the Trophy Final.

Also, The Solent Kestrels Roster reads: *Height and Positions listed from NBL Website Andre Arissol - G 6'1

Luke Busumbru - G 6'2

Travis Charles - F 6'5

Elliot Dadds - G 6'3

Luke Gosney - F/G 6'5

Orlan Jackman - F 6'6

Jonathan Lashley - F 6'6

Brendan Okoronkwo - G 6'1

Elias Poorman - G 6'3

Chris Scarlett - 6'0

Ian Smith - 5'8

If the Kestrels were to make the step up, they'd need to pick up some bigger big men, given typically in the British Basketball League they are 6'9 up. One name on that roster particularly sticks out. That Name is Orlan Jackman, Jackman competed in the BBL for many years, with the Lions, Wolves, Eagles, Phoenix and the Royals alongside seasons abroad.

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So, We've looked at the on court stuff, and I think that's told us that to Kestrels can easily compete.

The Venue the Kestrels play at ( Solent Sports Complex) is only listed as holding 500 people, id assume if they were to compete in the BBL they'd need a bigger venue to be able to compete in the BBL.

Im not going to delve into off-court things anymore, but i think the answer is yes, the Solent Kestrels SHOULD compete in the BBL and have the Players to do it.