Strong is a support for Raiders

By Russell Bennett
HIGH-flying American import Lester Strong will return to Knox’s Converse Stadium next year for his fourth year with the Raiders in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).
Strong first played in Australia in 2005, playing in the Big V competition with the Dandenong Rangers.
In the second of his two seasons with Dandenong, Strong was named league MVP and helped the club to the championship.
Strong arrived at Knox for the start of the 2008 season and had an immediate impact with his flashy dunks and spectacular shot-blocking ability.
Over his three previous seasons as a Raider, the Denver native has earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier big men.
The 29-year-old increased his regular season production in the finals in all three of his SEABL campaigns so far.
Strong’s most memorable performance to date came in August when he exploded for a career-high 41 points and 12 rebounds in Knox’s home semi-final against Brisbane, just four months after a serious head-on crash almost claimed his life.
Knox coach Graham Longstaff, a long-time supporter of Strong’s, was thrilled with the re-signing.
“I think he’s such a valuable asset to the club with what he does on the court but also the work he does off it,” Mr Longstaff said.
“He seems to get better every day, which is very exciting for me.”
Strong has SEABL career averages of 16.2 points – on 53 per cent shooting – and 10.4 rebounds per game.
“The decision to come back for another year was a no brainer,” he said.
“I was just hoping Knox would have me back.
“To get that close to another championship was a tease.