Boyd is due to make his debut against Everton Tigers

Leicester Riders have signed Great Britain point guard Flinder Boyd as a replacement for Matt Martin.

It will be Boyd's first experience of the British Basketball League, although the San Francisco-born 28-year-old has played extensively in France and Spain.

Boyd told BBC Radio Leicester: "To represent the Great Britain national team in the BBL is exciting for me."

He is due to make his debut for the Riders in their BBL Trophy game away to the Everton Tigers on Friday.

Boyd added: "I'd like to see the league improve and grow as strong as those in Europe.

"There's a lot of talent in the BBL, so I'm looking forward to a good competition out here.

"This team is headed in the right direction and there's no reason why they can't finish in the top four and do well for themselves in the play-offs."

Riders head coach Rob Paternostro added: "When we lost Matt and knew that we couldn't get an American in until February, we had to look in a few different directions.

"Flinder is exactly what I'm looking for in a point guard - somebody who makes other players better.

"We're happy to have a chance to have him on our team."

United States-born Boyd qualifies for Great Britain because his father was born in Finchley, London.

His performances for GB in Turkey last summer, where he led the Efes Pilsen tournament in assists, brought him the starting point guard spot on Chris Finch's GB team.

The player he edged out, Everton's Richard Midgley, is likely to be his first opponent in the BBL.

Martin left the club last month to take up a coaching role in the United States.

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