This comes after their domestic clean sweep and record-breaking unbeaten streak in the WBBL last season
The London Lions women's team have completed a trio of stand-out signings as they prepare for the new season. Mikiah ‘Kiki’ Herbert Harrigan, Katsiaryna Snytsina and Taylor Murray have all joined the Lions as they look to repeat their monumental achievements last season. Harrigan joins the team after stints with Seattle Storm, Kayseri Basketbol and Minnesota Lynx - where she was selected 6th overall in the 2020 Women’s NBA Draft. Harrigan also achieved a great feat in her college career, becoming only the third woman to amass over 1,000 points and 200 blocks for South Carolina.
Snytsina brings a vast amount of experience to the team having played for 15 clubs over a 20+ year career. Snytsina is an experienced international for Belarus and was part of the teams that won a bronze medal at the 2007 European Championships and placed sixth at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Snytsina and Harrigan are also joined by Taylor Murray. Murray was the only player in history to end her college career with at least 1,350 points, 280+ steals and 450+ assists at the University of Kentucky. Murray joins the Lions from Norrkoping in Sweden after averaging 15.4 points per game in the 2021-22 season for the Swedish team. The three join a Lions team who achieved invincibility in the WBBL Championship last season - winning all 34 domestic games by an average margin of 40 points. Adding to this, they completed a domestic clean sweep by winning the WBBL Cup, Trophy, Championship and Play-Off titles. Beyond what was a momentous season for women's basketball, these accolades also cemented a historic moment for women's sport in general, with the Lions arguably positioned as one of the most successful teams in British sport.
The team will also be buoyed by the landmark appointment of Vanja Cernivec as the new women's team General Manager and Global Director of London Lions Academy. Cernivec joins from her previous role as an international scout for the Chicago Bulls - where she became the first female in the NBA’s history to fulfil this position. Vanja’s latest appointment also serves as a legacy moment for women in sport, as Cernivec becomes the first-ever female WBBL General Manager. Preparations have now begun for the new season and the Lions are ready to compete in all formats, including against the best in Europe in the EuroCup Women - one of the most prestigious basketball club competitions. The team continues to progress and evolve, becoming a beacon not just for British basketball, but for sport as a whole in the UK.
General Manager of the women's team and Global Director of London Lions Academy, Vanja Cernivec comments:“
I'm really excited for the new season and our new signings are set to help build and progress the team. Kiki is one of the most talented young British players so it was very important for us to recruit her and make her a central piece of our puzzle. She is known for her athleticism and for impacting a game on both ends of the floor. In addition, she is a versatile and highly efficient scorer, who can create her own opportunities."
Taylor is coming off a great season in Sweden. We looked for someone that will be able to push the ball up the court and play with a high pace. She is a constant threat on both ends of the court. Taylor is an incredible defender but also a type of player that makes her teammates better."We looked for a veteran player that would bring a lot of experience from playing in the highest level of competition (European/National team). In addition to her experience and basketball IQ, Kat is a real threat from the perimeter and will be able to stretch the floor for us. She is a player that can create without the ball in her hands and someone you can count on when the game is on the line."
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