Paternostro quit his playing career in the summer

Leicester Riders head coach Rob Paternostro has been named BBL coach of the year after his side finished third.

Since joining in the summer, he has taken the Riders to their highest ever position in the league.

Paternostro said: "I look at it as a team of the year award, and I think our guys have come to play in every game."

The 36-year-old American told BBC Radio Leicester that he is currently in discussions with the club about a deal that would see him return next season.

He added: "It's been a difficult season in lots of ways due to the injuries we've had.

It's been a difficult season in lots of ways Leicester Riders head coach Rob Paternostro

"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.

"It's been a difficult season in lots of ways."

Paternostro quit his playing career in the summer after an eight-year spell in the BBL at Birmingham clubs Bullets and Panthers and a year with Riders in 2006/07.

The Riders face Everton Tigers in the BBL Championship semi-finals at the NIA in Birmingham on Saturday.

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