LEOPARDS fans will have the chance to see new American forward Ousman Krubally in action when they host Brixton Topcats at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday.

The game tips off at 4pm and is a key one for both sides with the winner progressing to the National Trophy quarter-final.

Twenty-two-year-old Krubally signed in time for Saturday’s trip to Leicester Warriors, and joins the Big Cats after an impressive career at Georgia State.

Last season saw him finish as Georgia State’s top rebounder with 5.7 boards per game and averaged seven points per game to rank fifth on the team. He had 11 double-figure scoring games, including five double-doubles on the season and scored in double figures in six of the final eight games, averaging 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds for that stretch.

Leopards coach Mark Clark is delighted with his new signing: “Ousman is a great fit for us and we’ve added a great athlete who really compliments the players from the academy.

“His experience at Georgia State will really help the young players and I am expecting Ousman to give us a presence on the boards and add real energy to our defence.”

The addition of Krubally means the Big Cats have two imports in action for the first time since April 2007, and with nine home league games after Christmas they will be looking to push up the EBL Division One table.

Leopards have already travelled to Brixton for a league game this season, and a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Josh Sharlow sealed a 82-79 victory.

Clark’s side will have their work cut out to repeat that victory as Topcats are currently second in the Division One table and come into the game on a high after reaching the National Cup final last week.

The Big Cats also go into Sunday’s game on the back of a victory after Josh Owen-Thomas poured in 21 points to help them to a 73-65 win at Leicester Warriors on Saturday.

The 19-year-old became the Big Cats’ seventh different leading scorer this season as they picked up their third away victory in four league games.

Solid defence again proved to be the key for Mark Clark’s side as they held the hosts to just ten points in the final period.

Josh Sharlow and Borja Pintor Henningsen each added ten points for the Big Cats.