Mike Tuck: I would love to be back at Sheffield Sharks for 13th season

Sheffield Sharks captain Mike Tuck says he “would love” to continue playing at the club for a thirteenth campaign.
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The 38-year-old veteran power forward, who hails from Toronto, Canada, has been with the Sharks for 12 seasons, having joined in 2009, and was named captain in 2012.

But head coach Atiba Lyons admitted the Sharks “have to look at transitioning from the Mike Tuck era to another realm” following their first-round Play-Off exit at the hands of Newcastle Eagles.

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"We have to start to think out a succession plan,” said Lyons, who stressed a final decision has yet to be made on anyone’s future.

Mike Tuck scores against Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League.Mike Tuck scores against Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League.
Mike Tuck scores against Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League.

When asked about his plans next season, Tuck told The Star: “I haven’t made any firm decisions yet.

"I need to sit down with the management and front office. I would love to be back, I think it would be a strange year to end on.”

The British-Canadian dual national has won four major pieces of silverware with Sheffield Sharks, including two back-to-back BBL Cups in 2010 and 2011, the 2013 BBL Trophy, and the 2016 BBL Play-Off Final when he was awarded Most Valuable Player.

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He helped them to fifth place in the British Basketball League (BBL) this season with a 15-15 record.

Tuck, who tipped London Lions to win the Play-Offs, said: “It was an up and down season. Obviously with Covid and everything it still feels a bit surreal, the whole not playing in front of fans thing was so strange to get used to.

"I don’t think we anybody ever got used to it.

"We have a great group of guys here, I’m really happy to have had the opportunity to play with them.”

The skipper, who has competed in 11 Play-Off contests, admitted he was still hurting after the Sharks’ early exit this year. The team had been confident of silverware.

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He continued: “This is always the hardest time in the season because everything comes to an abrupt stop.

"You are in a weird place because you think back to all the things you could have done differently, just over-analysing the situation.

"Overall, considering what this season has been and all the ups and downs, to finish fifth and have a good go in the Play-Offs, I’m proud of what this team has accomplished.”