Dave Ryan reports…
Leopards have announced the full schedule for the inaugural Essex Classic tournament at the Brentwood Centre.
The Big Cats will host two sides from America, Vipers from Illinois and Team USA Select, along with London Lions who finished runners-up in both the BBL regular season and play-offs last season as well as winning the inaugural British All-Stars Championship at the O2.
The tournament is already regarded as the biggest pre-season competition in British basketball, with tickets currently on sale at www.leopardsbasketball.co.uk.
The action starts on Saturday September 8 with a junior coaching session for under-18s at 11.30am, before Lions start things off by facing Team USA Select at 12.45pm.
Leopards host Vipers at 2.30pm before the two American teams meet two hours later and the two English sides clash at 6.15pm.
Lions face Vipers at midday on Sunday as the second day tips off before Leopards and Team USA Select wrap up the group stage at 1.45pm.
The sides who finish third and fourth in the first round meet in the bronze game at 3.45pm before the top two play-off in the final at 5.30pm.
