Gorman hopes Sheffield can have a successful season

Sheffield Sharks have confirmed the double signing of American pair Sherman Rivers and Matt Gorman.

Rivers is a guard with previous BBL experience at Milton Keynes Lions, where he averaged 16 points per game.

Gorman, 24, is a 6ft 10ins centre and a graduate of American college Syracuse where he played with NBA star and Olympic gold medallist Carmelo Anthony.

"Matt played in the shadow of some great players in college," said Sharks player-coach Atiba Lyons.

Gorman has joined the Sharks after playing for Neptune in Cork, where he averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game.

I am looking forward to coming to the Sharks, the club has a great reputation Sherman Rivers

Rivers, 27, has played in the Czech Republic and for Portuguese side Academia since leaving the Lions in 2004.

He can play both point and shooting guard positions and impressed Lyons when the pair met in the summer.

"Although he came highly recommended the deal was sealed after meeting him and confirming he has the character that will contribute well to the success of the team," Lyons said.

Rivers graduated from William and Mary in America, the same college as Sharks assistant coach Todd Cauthorn.

Rivers said: "I am looking forward to coming to the Sharks, the club has a great reputation and working with Atiba and Todd as new management is going to be exciting," he said.

The Sharks are continuing discussions with a number of British players to finalise their roster ahead of the season opener against Everton Tigers on 3 October.