Skyler White is redefining what it means to be a big man in the SLB. Cheshire Phoenix has built their offence around White’s ability to shoot the three-pointer at an elite level, turning him into one of the most lethal shooters in the league. White isn’t your typical big crashing the boards or dominating the paint; instead, he spends most of his time behind the arc, spacing the floor and forcing opposing defences to stretch to cover him.
So far this season, White has taken 79.1% of his shots from 3-point range, one of the highest percentages in the league. He averages 6.63 three-point attempts per game and has hit 35.8% of those shots. This combination of volume and accuracy from a big man makes White an outlier in the SLB.
| Player | Team | 3PA Per Game | 3P% | % of Shots as 3PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Whelan | Caledonia Gladiators | 7.75 | 38.7% | 59.6% |
| Donovan Mitchell | Manchester Basketball | 7.29 | 45.1% | 57.9% |
| Skyler White | Cheshire Phoenix | 6.63 | 35.8% | 79.1% |
| Isaiah Hill | Caledonia Gladiators | 6.00 | 27.1% | 50.5% |
| Michael Brisker | London Lions | 5.80 | 20.7% | 51.8% |
Only players who have played over 100 minutes this season are included.
With the unique skillset White brings, Cheshire can run what’s known as a “5-out offence,” placing all five players on the perimeter. This forces opposing big men to guard White outside, which opens driving lanes for guards and creates space for the team’s shooters. White’s ability to convert threes at a high clip, along with the volume of shots he takes, has transformed Cheshire’s offence into one of the most dynamic in the league.
However, for all of White’s shooting prowess, Cheshire’s offence also needs someone to facilitate. That’s where Cameron Holden comes in. As a guard, Holden plays a unique role in the system by driving the team’s success by creating opportunities for Cheshire’s perimeter shooters.
Holden leads the team in assists, racking up 34 assists this season, averaging 4.86 per game. His ability to find the open man is crucial in a system designed to maximise outside shooting. While shooters like White and TJ Atwood thrive on the perimeter, it’s Holden who often creates the space for them with his penetrating drives or well-timed passes.
| Player | Team | AST Per Game | 3PA Per Game | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Holden | Cheshire Phoenix | 4.86 | 2.14 | 26.6% |
| Cameron Christon | Cheshire Phoenix | 1.83 | 5.67 | 35.2% |
| Skyler White | Cheshire Phoenix | 1.50 | 6.63 | 35.8% |
| Tahjai Teague | Cheshire Phoenix | 1.50 | 2.00 | 37.5% |
| TJ Atwood | Cheshire Phoenix | 1.38 | 3.75 | 40.0% |
| Tyreek Scott-Grayson | Cheshire Phoenix | 1.25 | 2.88 | 21.7% |
| RJ Eytle-Rock | Cheshire Phoenix | 0.88 | 3.00 | 37.5% |
Only Cheshire Phoenix players who have played over 100 minutes this season are included.
Despite the success of this perimeter-focused offence, the lack of a traditional inside presence can be a drawback in a 5-out system. With all players spaced out along the perimeter, there’s often no one in position to secure rebounds. This is where Holden’s versatility shines. Even as a guard, he leads the league in offensive rebounds, with 61.9% of his rebounds coming on the offensive end, averaging 3.71 offensive rebounds per game. His hustle and ability to extend possessions are crucial in a system that often sacrifices traditional big men inside.
| Player | Team | OREB | OREB Per Game | % of REB as OREB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Holden | Cheshire Phoenix | 26 | 3.71 | 61.9% |
| Isaiah Moore | Manchester Basketball | 19 | 2.71 | 44.2% |
| Tanner Stuckman | Caledonia Gladiators | 19 | 2.71 | 46.3% |
| Jaiden Delaire | London Lions | 19 | 3.17 | 39.6% |
| Mick Ochereobia | B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | 16 | 2.29 | 59.3% |
Only players with more than 10 total rebounds are included.
Holden’s ability to crash the boards and keep possessions alive is the perfect complement to White’s shooting. While White pulls defenders away from the basket, Holden capitalises on this space to create second-chance opportunities, either by securing rebounds or resetting the offence for another 3-point attempt.
The Holden-White partnership is at the core of Cheshire Phoenix’s offensive identity. Their seamless blend of shooting, facilitating, and rebounding has already proven to be a winning combination, and their continued synergy will be key to Cheshire’s ambitions this season.
