1994–95 British Basketball League season


The 1994–1995 BBL season was known as the Budweiser League for sponsorship reasons. The season featured a total of 13 teams, playing 36 games each. A major change saw the Guildford Kings franchise fold due to the club being unable to negotiate a viable contract with the owners of the Guildford Spectrum. The league sold Kings' licence to a group headed by Robert Earl, Ed Simons and Harvey Goldsmith, who established the Leopards. Oldham Celtics dropped down a division to National League Division One.
Newcomers Sheffield Sharks formerly Sheffield Forgers won the regular season and claimed the title in their rookie season in addition to becoming National Cup champions. Seventh-seed Worthing Bears caused a huge upset in the post-season Play-off to take the Championship crown with a memorable victory over Manchester Giants in the Final. The Thames Valley Tigers secured the BBL Trophy.

Budweiser League Championship (Tier 1)

Final standings


PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Sheffield Sharks362970.80558
2Thames Valley Tigers362880.77856
3London Towers362880.77856
4Manchester Giants3626100.72252
5Doncaster Panthers3625110.69450
6Leopards3623130.63846
7Worthing Bears3620160.55540
8Birmingham Bullets3618180.50036
9Derby Bucks3610260.27820
10Hemel Royals369270.25018
11Leicester City Riders368280.22216
12Chester Jets366300.16712
13Sunderland Scorpions364320.1118



The Play-offs

Quarter-finals

Sheffield Sharks vs. Birmingham Bullets
Thames Valley Tigers vs. Worthing Bears
London Towers vs. Leopards
Manchester Giants vs. Doncaster Panthers

Semi-finals

Final

National League Division 1 (Tier 2)

Final standings


PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Crystal Palace222110.95542
2Coventry Crusaders221840.81836
3Ware Rebels221750.77334
4Oldham Celtics221480.63628
5Brixton TopCats221390.59126
6Stockton Mohawks2210120.45520
7Bury Wildcats229130.40918
8Nottingham Cobras229130.40918
9Plymouth Raiders227150.31814
10Solent Stars227150.31814
11Slough Waterside226160.27312
12Swindon Sonics221210.0452



National Cup

Fourth Round

Quarter Finals

Semi Finals

Final

7 Up Trophy

Group stage


North Group 1
TeamPtsPldWLPercent
1.Doncaster Panthers106510.833
2.Leicester City Riders86420.667
3.Derby Bucks46240.333
4.Sunderland Scorpions26150.166



North Group 2
TeamPtsPldWLPercent
1.Sheffield Sharks64310.750
2.Manchester Giants84310.750
3.Chester Jets04040.000



South Group 1
TeamPtsPldWLPercent
1.Thames Valley Tigers64310.750
2.Birmingham Bullets64310.750
3.Hemel Royals04040.000



South Group 2
TeamPtsPldWLPercent
1.Worthing Bears64310.750
2.London Towers44220.500
3.Leopards24130.250


Sheffield finished ahead of Manchester by having the best head-to-head record between the teams. Thames Valley finished ahead of Birmingham by having the best head-to-head record between the teams.

Semi-finals

Doncaster Panthers vs. Sheffield Sharks
Thames Valley Tigers vs. Worthing Bears

Final

Seasonal awards