FANS' favourites Rihards Sulcs and Jermayne Laing will both be returning to Bradford Dragons for the 2016-17 season.

Latvian forward Sulcs spent the first half of the last campaign on the sidelines, having picked up a serious pre-season knee injury.

Returning to the side in January, he wasted no time in reinforcing his reputation as one of the most highlighted slam-dunk finishers in British basketball.

Sulcs, now entering his eighth season with the club, is the longest-serving player on the Bradford roster, having been instrumental throughout their rise from the lower divisions and into Division One of the National League.

Meanwhile, local boy Laing goes into his fourth campaign with the Dragons, having joined at the start of the 2013-14 season from neighbours Leeds Force.

Laing was handed the club captaincy last season and, on signing up for another campaign at the Dragons Den, he said: "Last season was a very difficult one, with a lot of ups and downs, but we pushed and pushed and made it through to the end.

"With a new team ethos and vision, I feel the season has a lot to offer for us as a team. I am really looking forward to the new players who will be joining us, along with continuing to play with the players who are staying on this journey."

Dragons head coach Chris Mellor reflected: "It's good to have both Jermayne and Rihards back for another season. They are both established Division One-quality players and provide things at both ends of the court.

"Jermayne gives us real strength in defence and this season I think he will contribute more offensively. Rihards always gives teams problems with his energy, rebounding and in transition."

The Dragons are expected to make further player announcements over the next couple of weeks.