Rob Paternostro proud of Leicester Riders players

Leicester Riders coach Rob Paternostro says his players are great value for a record-breaking season which has seen them clinch second place in the BBL.

Riders beat Guildford Heat 90-72 on Saturday, ensuring their best BBL finish and also recording their highest win percentage [73%] in a season.

"We have a great team and great guys. It's very special and I'm very proud of the guys," he told BBC Radio Leicester.

"The guys have practised hard and played hard and they deserve it."

Riders, who ended the regular season just two points behind Newcastle with a record of 22 wins from their 30 games, now face a two-legged play-off semi-final against Sheffield Sharks.

The first leg is away on Friday with the return fixture at Loughborough University on Sunday, and Paternostro said he is delighted with his side's efforts.

"There are a lot of people who have followed the Riders for a long, long time. They have seen a lot of lean years and they appreciate what they have seen this year," he added.

"At the first day of practice I thought it would be something special and it has been a special season.

"It feels great. This opportunity - to get second - doesn't come often and we really wanted it. It was a lot of hard work."