BRADFORD Dragons' Basketball Club have re-signed two more players.

Joining Jermayne Laing and Rafi Saipe in committing themselves for another season are Rihards Sulcs and Eisley Swaine.

Latvian forward Sulcs, who is 6ft 3in, is Dragons’ longest-serving player and is entering his ninth season with the club, having been a part of their rise from the lower divisions to National League Division One.

Sulcs, who has a reputation for being both a tough and a fast player who works hard for the ball, has the ability to excite and has one of the most highlighted slam-dunk finishes in British basketball.

Last season proved to be one of his most successful yet as he averaged almost 20 points per game and topped the team scoresheet on numerous occasions.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old guard Swaine, who is 6ft 2in, will be entering his third season in the Dragons' senior squad, having come through their junior ranks.

He is widely considered to be one of the brightest prospects in the British game and has already represented his country from under-15s to under-18s.

Swaine also represents his academy Queen Ethelburga’s in the ABL Far North Division, where last season an average of 32.6 points per game secured him the divisional player of the year award.

Such is Swaine’s commitment to improving his game that he has spent six weeks this summer in the United States, visiting several schools and playing at various basketball camps, including New York, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

However, the highlight of his visit was being ranked third at the nationals in Florida.

Upon his return to the UK, Swaine attended the prestigious DENG Top 50 basketball camp, where, by his own admission, his playing performance was not his best.

However, he still managed to lead the field in the agility speed tests.

This will be Swaine’s final season with the Dragons as he is committed to going to Northwestern Oklahoma State College in the United States for the 2018-19 season, making him the second product of the Bradford Dragons' junior programme to make it ‘across the pond.’

“I’m really happy to be a part of the Dragons again this season,” said Swaine.

“We have another great group of guys and another great team. We are definitely looking to build on our successes from last year and hopefully have a great season.

"Anything can happen with the group of guys and coaches that we have - there will definitely be some surprises!

“Personally, I hope I can develop more at the Dragons and I am looking forward to playing another year for coach (Chris) Mellor.”

Both Sulcs and Swaine will be in action for the Dragons when they face local rivals Leeds Force in a pre-season fixture at the Carnegie Sports Arena on Sunday, September 10 (4pm).

This will be the first meeting between the teams since Leeds transitioned into the British Basketball League in 2014.

Previous matches have always been exciting, passionate affairs, and despite this being a ‘friendly’, more of the same is expected.

Bradford fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance via the Dragons' website, taking advantage of an exclusive online discount.