BA London Lions have completed their roster for the 2017-18 season with the signing of American forward, Urysla Cotton.

Standing at 6ft 1in tall, she graduated from NCAA Division 1 school Elon University in 2010, where she averaged 9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds as a Senior. Cotton has since had stints playing professionally in Portugal with Montijo Banda Basket and semi-professionally in the USA, most recently with Carolina Lady Rush.

The 29 year old, who was born in North Carolina, is currently studying a Masters at UEL and bolsters BA’s front court.

“We are really pleased to complete the roster for this first season as BA London Lions with the signing of Urysla Cotton,” commented Lions’ Head Coach, Mark Clark.

“She had a great college career at Elon, has a high basketball IQ, really good athlete. We’re not going to be bullied anymore on the glass, she’s going to have a big impact on player development as well going up against our academy players during practice.

“She gives us inside scoring, great presence on the glass, challenges shots, runs the floor really well and already has demonstrated that she’s a great person to have around the group.

“I really like the balance we have, obviously I would have preferred to have had everybody in and had a great pre-season but we’ve become a different team over the last two weeks with the two additions and Urysla is a great piece who completes the balance of the line up.”

Cotton is will make her debut later today when BA face Oaklands Wolves in the WBBL Cup.

“We’ll see today how she fits in after limited practice time,” Clark added.

“Obviously it’s a Cup game, there’s no tomorrow, you have to get the win today, but everything bodes well now for the balance of the line up, and we’ve been competitive in the last two games.

“Hopefully this may take us over the edge of being competitive and get us wins and enable us to compete as our first season as the BA London Lions.”