Paternostro signed a new contract before the season started

Leicester Riders head coach Rob Paternostro has paid tribute to veteran forward Tony Windless.

Windless, 40, hit the winning points nine seconds from the buzzer as Riders beat Plymouth 94-93 last time out.

And Paternostro, whose side entertain Cheshire Jets on Saturday, told BBC Radio Leicester: "Tony has been great in the two years I've been here.

"Having a guy with his experience and personality has helped the team and me. He's like an assistant coach."

Paternostro added: "He's been around a long, long time in this league and one of his best attributes is that he makes shots.

"Tony is smart and intelligent, but he's also athletic.

"He keeps himself in good shape. He has physical attributes that allows him to complete with all the players in the league."

Windless will be part of the Riders side looking to maintain their fine home form when they face the Jets at the John Sandford Centre.

It will be the first meeting between the two sides this season and Paternostro has plenty of respect for a team that reached the BBL Cup final last season.

Cheshire, who lie seventh in the table, one place behind Leicester, have also made the BBL Trophy semi-finals.

Paternostro said: "It's a big game because we are battling for the same stuff right now. The first two spots are probably a little far away but after that we are still dreaming of big things.

"It will be an even match-up and should an entertaining game."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version