From left to right: Xavier Di Marzio, William Sako, Cuneyt Cayir, Bichard and Randy Chino George.

Photo Credit: Vincent Voegtlin

From left to right: Xavier Di Marzio, William Sako, Cuneyt Cayir, Bichard and Randy Chino George.

Photo Credit: Vincent Voegtlin

The Virgin Islands' Randy 'Chino' George missed the championship series when his local team Legs swept Mega Mix, as he was called away to France by FC Mulhouse Basketball Club to begin preparations for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

George signed a 1 year deal to play for the club. The 6'8" forward's signing came as a result of Coach Jamel Benabid's hard work and commitment to get the club promoted to the French National 1 League for the season.

George left the Territory on August 4.

"I didn't play in any championship games with Legs because I had to leave. Preseason practice started for me on the 10th August, so I had to come early to take my team physicals and so on," George told BVI Platinum News.

"I am settling in quite well, preseason is going good so far and we have a couple preseason games coming up," George pointed out.

Over the next six weeks, the team will undergo rigorous preparations, which be divided between physical exercises and games, all punctuated by friendlies.

He said he is looking forward to playing against Souffel on the 23rd at home and then on the 29th the team travels to Switzerland to play against Boncourt, which is one of their top league (LNA) teams.

George will also participate in the 4 team tournament at home on the 1st and 2nd of September. There are a total of 8 preseason games and 26 regular season games which excludes trophy and other cup games.

George was officially the first recruit of coach Jemel Benabid's team. According to an article on the team, the goal of this preparation is to forget the departures (Martin Novak, Médéric Aubry, Alexis Riff Szkucz and Thibaut), but especially to best integrate the new faces of Jeremy Bichard, Cuneyt Cayir, Randy George, William Xavier Di Marzio and Sako.

"We wanted to replace our players return mail and grow our five," says Jamel Benabid. "Bichard will bring us the pace and skill and Cayir has defensive qualities. This is a complementary pair point guard and they will have the difficult task of replacing Novak and Riff. We also wanted to bring back offensive talents like George. We already have bases and the recruits will quickly get back into the mold," Benabid stated.