HEAD coach Paul James admits it is unlikely Richie Gordon will be a Worcester Wolves player next season.

The American forward was one of Wolves’ star performers last term, helping them to third in the British Basketball League and being named in the competition’s team-of- the-year.

He was offered a deal by the University of Worcester-based side but looks set to move to a club in Europe.

James said: “It’s probably unlikely that Richie will be back because he’s looking to play somewhere else in Europe. We have been looking for a replacement in that position.

“It’s no secret he was looking to play somewhere else after the great season he had under our tutelage and the players we put around him.

“He was able to excel in the BBL and is trying to play at a higher level if he can and earn a bit more. We had a great season with him and all we can do is wish him well if he doesn’t come back.”

Wolves have already secured Sherrad Prezzie-Blue and Carlos Fernandez for next season and are hopeful of retaining more of the squad, including Tommy Freeman and Arnas Kazlauskas and new faces.

James added: “I am looking to recruit most of the first five that we had last year, and some of the others, and we have gone a long way down the road to doing that.”