It all starts with a name. An evocative statement.  A defining moment, of clear identity. The MadHouse on Madison. The Forum. The Spectrum.  Here in London,  it’s The Copperbox, a 7,000 seat arena built for the 2012 London Olympic Games. It is now home to the London Lions.

London's own professional basketball team, The Lions, is a member of the British Basketball League (BBL). It is one of 13 teams with members from England and Scotland, formed in 1987.
The Lions founded in 1977 moved from location to location and were renamed several times.  Struggling to find a permanent home they ultimately found it in, The CopperBox and strive to move forward. They are bringing hoop magic to the UK.
I had the pleasure of being able to shoot a game, a contest versus the Manchester Giants.  With many players from the US, it is a slice of home. As staff photographer and  freelancer for the Sun-Times Media company I photographed quite a bit of basketball in the states, college and high school. And to be perfectly frank I missed it.

It felt good to flex the eye muscles again and I hope to bring you more games in the future.

Lions_PhoenixDustin Salisberry looks to pass against the Lions defense. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixDrew Sullivan heads up court. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixIan Salter (left) and Drew Sullivan (far right) apply the Lions defense. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixLovell Cook drives the ball up court for the Lions. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixZaire Taylor takes the ball to the hoop against the Phoenix defense. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixDrew Sullivan drives against the Phoenix defense. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixDrew Sullivan (left) and Makal Stibbins (right) provide a swarming defense for the Lions. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixThe London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixLovell Cook drives the lane to score.The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixMakal Stibbins goes over the Phoenix defense to score.The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixLovell Cook goes coast to coast for the layup. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixThe London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixDrew Sullivan looks to pass under the basket. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixThe London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixDrew Sullivan battles his way through the Phoenix defense. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski Lions_PhoenixMakal Stibbins uses his body to make some space. The London Lions battle the Cheshire Phoenix in BBL action. | Joseph Cyganowski