DIRECTOR of basketball Paul James believes Plymouth Raiders’ loss is Worcester Wolves’ gain following their capture of centre Andreas Schreiber.

The University Arena club pounced to snap up the 6ft 10ins Swedish international centre after he was released by their British League rivals earlier this week.

Californian-born Schreiber arrives as a replacement for Ian Salter, who has been released by Worcester, and to ease the pressure on the big-scoring Will Creekmore. He is poised to feature in both tomorrow night’s BBL Cup match at home to Manchester Giants (7.30pm) and Sunday’s BBL clash at Birmingham Knights (3pm).

Wolves chief James said: “I’m really excited about having him on the team.

“In the four games so far, Will Creekmore has played a lot of minutes and that can’t happen throughout the season and we need to bring someone in to help him.

“For me, Andreas was one of the best big men in the league last year so to have been able to capture him is awesome for us.

“I think he’s the kind of player that will fit right into our system and the way we play.

“People talk about Alex Owumi and Zaire Taylor being the best backcourt pair in the league, but Will Creekmore and Andreas might be the best front court pair.”

Schreiber averaged 13 points and nine rebounds per game for Plymouth last season but this term, since Jay Marriott replaced Gavin Lowe as head coach, averaged just six points and three rebounds over three games.

James added: “I’m extremely surprised they let him go but the coach that signed him was released before the start of the season and they brought in a new coach.

“Maybe he doesn’t like the way he plays and wasn’t able to fit him in, but their loss is really our gain and he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Meanwhile, centre Creekmore and point-guard Taylor have been named in the BBL team of the week for the second time this season.

Creekmore scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the 63-62 overtime victory at London Lions as well as 28 points and 22 rebounds as Wolves edged Cheshire Phoenix 94-90 in overtime 24 hours later.

Taylor sank 42 points across the two matches as well as coming up with seven valuable ball-steals.

They are joined in the elite five by Newcastle Eagles duo Paul Gause and Darius Defoe and Mike Tuck from Sheffield Sharks.