Basketball: Kyle Odister's injury a blow to the player and Sheffield Sharks, says Atiba Lyons

DBL Sharks Sheffield head coach Atiba Lyons has paid tribute Kyle Odister after the shooting guard was ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Odister, who joined the Sharks in the 2015 season, injured a shoulder during the Sharks’ win over London Lions earlier this month, and following a series of scans it has been determined that Odister has a fractured Bankart and will no longer be able to participate in the current season.

Lyons was full of praise for Odister, who will now finish his masters degree at Sheffield Hallam University before heading to the USA for surgery and rehabilitation.

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“Kyle is pretty resilient, so hopefully you never know but it’s so unfortunate for him,” said Lyons.

“The worry is more about him and his health, not so much our season. It’s the nature of his injury, it’ll effect all his future if he can play.”

“I think Kyle is a player that has shown what he can really do in spurts. The Play-Off Final last season was a reflection of who Kyle is with some of the plays he made, he made some big shots.

“He’s definitely a pressure player, he likes the big shots and taking big shots for the team, but he’s a piece that I’m going to miss and I with him nothing but the best. Hopefully everything works out.”

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The Sharks face Plymouth Raiders tonight at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield after a split weekend last time out.

After being beaten 104-68 last Friday by an in-form Newcastle Eagles in the North East, Lyons’ side bounced back to beat Cheshire Pheonix 78-93 on Sunday, and will be looking to avenge a 66-95 defeat to Plymouth earlier in the season when the sides face-off once more.

Lyons said: “Plymouth are a high-scoring team and they’re very athletic. We’ve had a tough time against them and they did a job on us last time.

“I think we’re a better team now and we’ve just got to make sure we play a good defense because offensively they’re such a strong team. They’re really hard to stop at times.”

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Lyons is also hopeful the Sharks’ injury crisis will come to an end soon, with a three-week break coming up that will give some of his players time to recover.

“Everyone’s a week closer. Jordan (Davis) should be any week now, that’ll be a big boost for us as he hasn’t played in a long time.

“Tony (Wroblicky) is steady, he’s going to get back as quick as possible.

“We’re focusing on what we have for now rather than looking at replacements. We have a break coming up so we’re going to look at everyone then.

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“It’s a bit strange how everything’s lined up, but right now I just feel for Kyle and the injury he’s had. It’s just unfortunate for him, whether he played here, there or anywhere else – I’d still feel bad for him.”