The Plymouth City Patriots have strengthened their squad once again, ahead of the fast approaching 2023/24 British Basketball League season. They have announced the signing of the 6 foot 8 power forward, Mekhii Noble.
Noble has spent the last five seasons at the Florida Tech Panthers, playing in his senior year as starting center, in NCAA D2. He comes highly recommended by his Panthers coach and British Basketball League legend, Billy Mimms. Coach Mimms was the 1998 BBL Coach of the Season, winning multiple silverware, as well as working as a pundit for the league on countless occasions. Mimms had high praise for his starting center, saying “Mekhii Noble has had an outstanding career at Florida Tech, and I was honored to be his coach for the past 5 seasons. Mekhii came to us as a raw, athletic, strong, and talented young man eager to learn and full of potential. His development and basketball IQ during his time with us in Melbourne, Florida has been off the charts!! He has become a walking double-double machine capable of putting up double digit scoring and rebounding any night, against any team. Mekhii is one of the strongest and most athletic players I’ve coached. His physicality gives him the ability to score in traffic and through contact. His athleticism makes him an exciting above the rim finisher. Off the court, Khii has been a wonderful ambassador for our program who enjoys working with kids in our community, and I’m sure the fans in Plymouth will love him both on and off the court.”
Noble loved up to his coaches words and was named in the NCAA D2 All Star team, over the Christmas break last season. He led the nation in double doubles for points and rebounds, and recorded a season high of ten in the 2021/22 season. He also laid claim to numerous selections as the SCC Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week and developed a reputation as one of the best post players in the SSC.
Coach Paul James has high hopes for Noble, saying "Mekhii has real potential. His improvement and development throughout his college career has been very impressive. We can certainly give him an environment and opportunity to develop further, and I look forward to Mekhii making us better game by game."
Noble was also excited about joining the Patriots for his rookie season, saying “This is an incredible opportunity for me to come in and represent a great organisation . I’m looking forward to learning the culture and building chemistry with my new teammates and coaches while contributing to a winning culture. It is important that I display a joyful and passionate example on and off the basketball court for both the Plymouth city community and our supporters abroad. Go Pats!”