Leicester Riders have completed the signing of American-British guard Julian Mackey ahead of the 2026/27 Super League Basketball season.
Mackey arrives in Leicester for his rookie professional campaign after finishing his college career with Florida International University, where the Riders say he averaged 12.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
The Georgia native holds a British passport, adding a useful domestic angle to Rob Paternostro’s new-look backcourt. He began his collegiate career at Georgia State before moving to Houston Christian University, where he played alongside fellow new Rider Trent Johnson during the 2024/25 season.
Leicester have described Mackey as a versatile, athletic three-level scorer who can shoot from range, attack the basket and create for himself and team-mates. One of his standout college performances came against LSU, when he scored 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including three three-pointers.
Mackey said he was “extremely excited and blessed” to join the Riders, while Paternostro said the guard’s scoring ability and versatility give Leicester another option as they build towards the new SLB season.
Supporters are set to get an early look at the reshaped Riders squad on Friday 11 September, when Leicester host new SLB franchise Liverpool Basketball in pre-season action at the Mattioli Arena.