Belgians headhunt Sheffield's Cauthorn

Todd Cauthorn, who has played a core role in Sheffield Sharks' success over the past six seasons, has used his recently acquired British passport to carve out a new career and join the Belgian club Bree on a two-year contract.

The American-born centre has won two league titles, three national cups and the league trophy with Sheffield, a record matched by coach Chris Finch, who joined Sheffield as a player at the same time as Cauthorn.

Cauthorn can expect to earn around £60,000 a season in Belgium, where his new passport gives him European status and has the value of not eating into their quota of foreign players.

He said: "I couldn't really turn down the opportunity. This team really came after me so it is a nice feeling to be head-hunted."

Finch, who last week appeared to commit to another season with Sharks, said: "What more does Todd have to prove to England and Sheffield? Nothing."

Birmingham Bullets' coach, Mike Finger, is not reconsidering his decision to quit the club, despite upsetting the odds by beating Sheffield and London Towers to reach the championship final at Wembley on Saturday week against Manchester.

Finger said: "I can't think of any better way to end my spell with Bullets than by playing in British basketball's showpiece event. Nothing will change my mind that it is time to go."

England's 6ft 11in international Andy Betts has signed for Real Madrid for the rest of the season.