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Basketball: Presentation: Vevey, neo-promoted with long teeth
Before the start of the new SB League season, we start our overview of the seven French-speaking clubs with the new kid: Vevey Riviera Basket.
Two years after its administrative relegation to the first league due to financial concerns, Vevey Riviera Basket, chaired by Nathan Zana, is making its return to the Swiss elite. Usually, a newly promoted table rather on the maintenance. But the Vaudois are much more ambitious for their reunion with the SB League. “We have quite high objectives, confesses Jonathan Dubas, before the trip to Lucerne on Sunday (4 p.m.), to challenge Swiss Central there. I would even say that with our workforce, we can play at the top of the table.
The player to watch:
After having “walked” on the second division last season (nearly 24 points and 13 rebounds on average), Jonathan Dubas will find an opposition a little more calibrated for him in the SB League. Logically, the figures of the former Geneva Lions player (2018-2019) should fall. Especially since the leaders have signed four American players. “My role will depend a lot on the impact of our foreigners, notes Dubas. But the coach, Niksa Bavcevic, is used to putting responsibilities on my back, so we will see if I am able to transpose what I was doing in the B league at the highest level. Reputed to be combative and tough on evil, the group captain and Swiss international is nonetheless a player who can bring a lot offensively if he is put in the right mood by his coach.
The Swiss contingent:
In addition to Jonathan Dubas, we will closely follow the evolution of Eliott Kubler. After two seasons with a minor role at Union Neuchâtel, the 24-year-old winger had gone down a floor when he arrived at the Galeries du Rivage. Author of a magnificent season in league B (18 points with big shooting percentages), he even joined the Swiss group during the last international window. By taking two backs and two interior players as imported elements, the leaders had the brilliant idea of not putting an American in his paws in his post, on the wing. Now it’s up to Kubler to restore the confidence placed in him.
We will also look at how Mateus Rodrigues, who was very solid at the lower level last season, adapts. He is undoubtedly the other Swiss player most likely to contribute fairly quickly, with Michael Sjöberg. After four years away from Vevey, Lucas Ravanel is back. Marvin Dos Santos, Axel Maboso, Divin Zayadiaku and Marco Mouron complete the Swiss contingent.
The foreigners:
In an attempt to compete as well as possible with the other teams in the league, the leaders of the newly promoted have managed to hire three imported elements, in addition to Malik Johnson, already present last season (19 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds on average ). The 178 cm point guard should form an explosive duo on the back line with Mike Johnson (188 cm, position 1-2). In the racket, the pivot Raekwon Rogers (203 cm) takes his first steps as a basketball player in Europe and arrives from Wagner College. With his compatriot Tyrell Johnson (204 cm), who evolves rather on position 4, the show should be guaranteed at the Galleries.
Our prediction:
Vevey Riviera Basket will finish 6th in the regular season.