Essex Pirates have been handed a franchise in the BBL for next season.

The team will be based in Southend and are looking to use players brought through a sporting excellence scheme at South East Essex College.

"We've all worked extremely hard to get to this point and are delighted to be given this chance," basketball operator Ian Mollard said.

"The council have been very supportive in helping to bring professional basketball to Essex."

The Essex Leopards previously competed at the top level, based in Brentwood, before resigning from the league in 2003.

"We are delighted to invite this new exciting franchise into the BBL," said BBL chairman Paul Blake.

"Essex has a strong tradition of basketball and the plans that this organisation have to develop are very much in line with the direction of the BBL."

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