PATERNOSTRO NAMED COACH OF YEAR
04/27/2009

The Leicester Riders' Rob Paternostro has been won the Molten BBL Coach of the Year award.

After a successful career as a point guard in the BBL, Paternostro stepped into the Riders hot-seat last summer, and has led them to their highest ever position in the league.

Riders finished third in the BBL Championship with a 21-12 record - and snatched home court advantage in the play-offs for the first time since 1991.

"I look at it as a 'team of the year' award," said Paternostro.

"I think our guys have come to play in every game. They've been committed since the beginning of the season and have been a joy to work with.

"It's their performances that have enabled me to win the award, and I want to share it with the team as they deserve it."

The 36-year-old said that despite a season that has seen his team ravaged by injury, he has enjoyed his first year coaching:

"It's been a difficult season in lots of was due to the injuries we've had. When Bradd [Wierzbicki] and Phil [Missere] went down injured at the same time, we were playing some of our best basketball of the season, and it was a big blow.

"But in a way it was a blessing in disguise as we were able to get contributions from other players, and that made the team stronger down the stretch."

"As a coach, due to all of the injuries, I've had to adjust to us playing in many different styles. We've switched to cover for injuries, and then we've had people back and we've had to switch again. It's been like several seasons in one..it's certainly been a learning experience."