BRITISH basketball's leading player, Lynard Stewart, would love to land another deal with Newcastle Eagles next season whether or not they claim an historic fourth successive play-off crown in Birmingham this weekend.

However, Stewart, the newlycrowned Most Valuable Player of 2008, is unlikely to be short of job offers this summer following his sixth year in the British Basketball League.

Newcastle will make Stewart's signing a priority - just as soon as Fabulous Flournoy's squad is clear of another landmark weekend in the franchise's successladen modern era.

The Eagles tackle old foes Milton Keynes Lions this afternoon for a place in tomorrow's BBL Playoff final at the National Indoor Arena, and Stewart said: "It feels great going in as the MVP guy!

"It's taken me six years to win this award and while I won't be strutting around the place it does give me immense pride. It reflects well on the season I have had and the season Newcastle have had.

"It looks like signing for the Eagles was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I would like to think I could play for Fab again next season and talks have already taken place. But they're on hold for a few days because nothing gets in the way of the playoffs."

Perhaps surprisingly, Stewart was the only Eagle named in the 2008 All Star team but Flournoy's total team basketball does not often allow for individual excellence.

In the case of his Philadelphia- born forward, the normal rules do not apply and the popular all-rounder has emerged as the outstanding performer on a rock-solid roster.

How Stewart fares against a physical Lions outfit will have a major bearing on whether Newcastle can become the first BBL franchise to win four play-off crowns on the bounce.

But the Pennsylvania-born star was the only Eagles player to emerge with any credit from this year's BBL Cup final, when Milton Keynes won the first of 2008's four domestic trophies.

Flournoy said: "Lynard deserves his award and has been a giant for us this season."