Wilkins, to defeat Bristol 66–64 and claim the National Cup silverware for the first time in the club's history. A sixth-placed finish in the regular season marked an improvement from the previous year, but Carnegie were not able to extend their post-season beyond the quarter-final stage, after being knocked out by Northumbria. Summer 2013 saw various changes to the roster again as Division 1 top scorer Rob Marsden, who finished the 2012–13 campaign averaging 20.14 points-per-game, earned a transfer to professional BBL team Manchester Giants, Henry Wilkins departed for Næstved in Denmark, Dave Ajumobi joined Newham Neptunes and Sean Clifford moved to Team Northumbria. New signings included British talents Josh McGinn from BBL side Mersey Tigers, Rowell Graham-Bell from Essex Leopards and Daniel Bethune from Westminster Warriors. Coach Newby also drafted in two experienced Europeans to add to roster, Charlotte 49ers' Croatian centre Ilija Ivanković and Croatian/Bosnian forward Branimir Mikulic from High Point Panthers. The new-look team got off to a flying start in the National Trophy and advanced from the group stage in 1st place with a 5–1 win record. In Division 1, Leeds started inconsistently but gained their rhythm to finish 2013 and open 2014 with a 6-game winning streak. Leeds weren't able to defend their National Cup title following their elimination by Newham in the Quarter-final, losing 67–60 – despite holding a commanding 15-35 lead at half-time. On 21 November, the club officially announced that they would become a professional franchise of the British Basketball League, commencing with the 2014–15 season. Meanwhile, in an attempt to increase their form in Division 1 and in a push for the post-season play-offs, Coach Newby signed American power forward Russell Permenter from Australia in January 2014. The new man made an instant impact, contributing with an 11-point, 10 rebound double-double in a home loss to Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy on 17 January. As part of their bid to join the British Basketball League, Carnegie were competing in the tournament as an invitee. Leeds faced a further cup exit two weeks later when Worthing Thunder unexpectedly knocked them out of the National Trophy with a 58–89 home defeat. Back in the regular season, they notched up 7 victories in the final 10 games to finish in sixth place, with a 15–11 win record. A huge 26 points from Permenter and 20 from Armand Anebo were enough to see off