Paternostro was appointed Riders coach in June

Leicester Riders coach Rob Paternostro is confident his side will be able to match most teams in the new British Basketball League season.

Paternostro told BBC Radio Leicester: "I'll go into these games pretty confident with these guys because we can do a lot of different things.

"We have a lot of depth and we have a lot of versatility."

The American added: "We've got some tough teams coming in so it's going to be very difficult."

But he says he wants to allow players to play their own natural game on the court.

"I'm not a big believer of having a lot of sets and a lot of plays.

"I think basketball is a game of freedom and instinct. Sometimes, when you make guys act like robots out there, it takes away from that.

"I also want to play the kind of game that's fun to watch."

The Riders begin their season at home to London Capitals on Saturday.