Glasgow Rocks coach Tony Garbelotto is set to embark on an unexpected recruitment search today after summer signing Dante Holmes was effectively ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

The American guard sustained

a detached kneecap during Friday’s friendly against London Lions and although he will have scans today, Garbelotto is already pondering how to fill the void with the start of the new BBL campaign just six days away.

“It’s beyond a nightmare,” he said. “We still didn’t know exactly how he’d fit in but he was playing controlled, he was making shots, doing all the good things we wanted to. To have him gone is a huge blow. And it’s now a problem for us to recruit someone else in a short space of time. But we have to, otherwise we’ll take some losses.”

Rocks captain Kieron Achara could also miss next Sunday’s opener against Sheffield with an abductor strain. And the flurry of absences held the short-handed Scots back as they exited yesterday’s Betway All Stars Championship at London’s O2 Arena in the group stages after losses to eventual winners London and runners-up Newcastle Eagles who were pipped 26-25 in the final of a tournament which features innovative rules changes to mixed reviews.

“We learnt some things without Kieron today,” added Garbelotto. “Martez Harrison showed he could be one of the best point guards in the league. Jalen Billups could be one of the best players in the league overall once he’s in shape.”

Caledonia Pride, meanwhile, lost 53-38 to WBBL rivals Northumbria in the final of the pre-season Dublin Invitational.