7:00am Friday 19th March 2010
By Chris Phillips
CHRIS Evans went from spinning discs to spinning basketballs for his latest sporting challenge - playing alongside the Essex Pirates.
The well-known DJ, who presents the popular early morning show on BBC Radio Two, holds regular contests against his co-presenter Jonny Saunders.
And, having previously tried out a number of sports including darts, tennis and snooker, this week’s battle saw them turn to basketball.
The duo – who both took to the court in Pirates kits - received expert coaching from former NBA player John Amaechi who taught them how to shoot, dribble and defend in a succession of drills.
With the basics of basketball learnt, they then joined Pirates stars Taner Adu, Alan Metcalfe, Sam Toluwase and Jamell Anderson in a three against three match at the Little Venice Sports Centre in West London.
The first to three baskets encounter decided the overall winner of a contest which was split into different sections and the events were due to be discussed on the show this morning.
An online video has also been placed on the official Radio Two website and Adu – the Southend based side’s top points scorer so far this season– was pleased to be able to play a part.
“It was great fun and a really good laugh,” said Adu, 26.
“It was something different and we all enjoyed doing it.
“Chris and Jonny both picked up the skills quite quickly and the match at the end was very close with them both in teams playing against each other.
“It was certainly quite competitive but we were delighted to get asked along to play a part and it’s a really good thing for us to do for such a popular show.
“It will let even more people know about our team.”
Pirates, who play their home games at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, are currently enjoying their first season in the British Basketball League.
They saw off Plymouth Raiders last Saturday in exciting fashion but are without a game this weekend and are not back in action until they travel to Milton Keynes Lions next Tuesday.
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