The best player in British basketball last year, the high scoring Antony Paez, returns for the Worcester Wolves as they play their first cup match of the new season on Sunday at the University of Worcester when they welcome the Sheffield Sharks for a BBL cup game. This eagerly anticipated game tips off at 4.00 pm with the winners travelling to play Guildford Heat in the next round. Wolves have improved with each game in their league season but are bottom of the BBL ladder while Sheffield are mid table having won one and lost one so far.

Coach Skouson Harker commented "In the fourth quarter last week against  Plymouth, they seemed able to keep their aggressive players on court while our defenders were seemingly on egg shells due to foul trouble. We had two of our starters foul out and this was a problem for us and as we tired, Plymouth went on to win the game. Once we can settle Anthony back in we should be able to be considerably fresher down the last stretch of the games. We are also looking to bring in one more high quality British or European shooter to play an important role alongside Justin and Anthony. To have Anthony back is a massive credit to the management team, fans and sponsors of the Worcester Wolves. He was the leading scorer in the BBL last season averaging 24 points per game through the whole season and was the Slam Dunk champion at the NIA Birmingham in the spring. He was also the second player into the BBL coaches all star team for the season – a true reflection of his worth at both ends of the court."

 Harker is expecting a tough game against the Sharks. "This is an important cup game for us and we need a win to survive. It is a clean slate for us and we have the chance to prove we are legit and move on in the competition. The Sheffield team seem to be well rounded but to be honest we do not know a real lot about them – but we do not know a real lot about anyone at this stage. They appear to have multiple weapons which could hurt us."

Sheffield has for the first time appointed a player coach, Atiba Lyons and he celebrated his first victory in this new role when his team defeated Cheshire Jets (who beat the Wolves earlier this month.) Lyons said "I am glad we recorded our first win sooner rather than later as it was important to us. I have not seen the Wolves play live as yet this season but will be watching some tape before Sunday. I know they have a very potent offense with Justin Brown making a good start to his BBL career.

The Sharks will include in their team GB international Chris Sanders who is a 6'8" power forward; Mathew Gorman a 6' 10" American and Arnaud Dahl an Ivory Coast native who is another 6' 8" forward. They will be joined by Sherman Rivers who can play either point or shooting guard.

Worcester have released Tommy Johnson and Ben Potts has moved to play at Coventry Crusaders where he is hoping for more floor time. He will join up with another Wolves bench player from last year Rob Clarke