Basketball news
The London Lions captured their second piece of silverware this season with an 83–74 victory over Manchester in the SLB Cup Final at the AO Arena, using a dominant second-half defensive performance to turn the game around.
Trailing 40–32 at halftime after a slow offensive start, the Lions responded with intensity and physicality after the break, leaning on their defence to generate momentum and ultimately take control of the contest.
Kam McGusty led the Lions with 21 points and was named MVP of the game, delivering key baskets down the stretch, while Joel Scott recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds in a commanding two-way performance. Chaundee Brown Jr. and Tarik Phillip each added 12 points, with Deane Williams contributing 11 points and crucial plays on both ends.
Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis emphasised the team’s identity following the win.
“They understood that without doing what we do every day, without playing with the defence that we do, we are not a good team,” Sabonis said. “But when we do that, we are an amazing team.”
Manchester opened the game with strong defensive pressure, limiting London’s offensive rhythm and building a 19–11 lead after the first quarter. Despite early scoring from Phillip, the Lions struggled to generate clean looks, while Manchester found success through Jordan Johnson and PJay Smith.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with Manchester maintaining control and extending their lead to double digits. London showed flashes, including strong defensive plays from Scott and timely scoring from Brown and McGusty, but still trailed by eight at the break.
The game shifted in the third quarter.
London came out of halftime with renewed energy, tightening defensively and attacking with more purpose. Scott’s presence inside and Williams’ activity on the glass helped spark a run, while McGusty and Phillip created key scoring opportunities. The Lions chipped away at the deficit before taking the lead late in the quarter, entering the fourth up 58–57.
“We knew what we needed to do from the get-go,” Scott said. “It was just doing the little things, playing with energy, and we did that. Little by little we chipped away and followed the game plan.”
The final quarter showcased London at their best.
McGusty knocked down multiple clutch shots, including a step-back three to extend the lead, while Williams added a key block and three-pointer during a decisive stretch. Phillip’s defensive pressure led to transition scoring, and the Lions began to break down Manchester’s zone with improved ball movement and shot-making.
Despite a strong scoring performance from Johnson, London’s defence held firm in the closing minutes. Key stops and composed free-throw shooting allowed the Lions to maintain control and close out the 83–74 victory.
“I think that’s the best part about this team,” Scott added. “Anyone can go off at any point, and that’s why we’re so special. We trust each other.”
The Lions now sit on the brink of a historic season, having secured their second trophy and continuing their pursuit of a domestic quadruple.
London return to action on Wednesday at the Copper Box Arena, where they will face Sheffield as they shift focus back to league play.
Words & Image courtesy of The London Lions
We’re excited to announce that Tautvydas Sabonis has officially joined the London Lions as our new Head Coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.
At just 33 years old, Sabonis brings elite experience, sharp tactical vision, and a passion for player development — having spent the last five years rising through the ranks at Žalgiris Kaunas, one of the top clubs in European basketball. Most recently serving as Assistant Coach in the EuroLeague, he now takes the reins in London for his first head coach role.
“The London Lions really excite me. I see a team with huge ambition — not just to rebuild, but to go further than any British club has before,This is a city with incredible potential for basketball, and I’m honoured to take on this challenge.”
With investment in a new stadium, a return to BKT EuroCup, and a renewed focus on building something truly special for the capital, Sabonis will lead the next chapter of our journey — and we want you with us from the start.
Early bird access to 2025/26 season tickets: available now.
Pat Summitt, an indomitable force in the world of basketball, redefined the landscape of women’s sports with her unparalleled achievements and unwavering dedication. Born on June 14, 1952, in Clarksville, Tennessee, Summitt’s journey from a farm girl to a coaching legend is a testament to her tenacity and passion for the game. As the head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers from 1974 to 2012, she transformed the team into a powerhouse, capturing eight NCAA national championships and securing 1,098 career wins, the most in NCAA Division I basketball history at the time of her retirement. Her coaching prowess earned her numerous accolades, including the Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century award and induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Pat’s influence extended beyond the court; she was a mentor and role model who fiercely advocated for women’s athletics. Her commitment to excellence and her players’ holistic development cemented her legacy as a pioneer in women’s sports.
In 2011, she was sadly diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 2016 aged only 64. Pat’s impact continues to resonate, inspiring generations of athletes and coaches alike. Her legendary status is not merely defined by her records but by the indelible mark she left on the sport and the countless lives she touched.
If you haven’t read it, we highly recommend you read the incredible book Sum It Up: A Thousand and Ninety-Eight Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective, Pat’s autobiography, and one that inspired the creation of the Female Coaching Network itself.
Below, we are sharing with you an excellent article written by Cody Royle, Author of Second Set Of Eyes, The Tough Stuff, Where Others Won’t and Former Head Coach of AFL Team Canada.
With Cody’s permission, we are posting the article in full for you to enjoy this fantastic insight into how one of the greatest coaches of all time picked her team to win Gold in LA 1984.
To Sign-up to Cody’s blog Coach Craft and read about more legendary coaches such as Bill Walsh, Arrigo Sacchi and Jim Gavin- CLICK HERE
Thank you for reading FCN Insights; Empowering Women Who Coach . This post is public so feel free to share it.
The Great Britain women’s basketball team has been drawn in a group D with Sweden, Denmark and Estonia for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
The first matches for the GB team, who are currently ranked tenth in Europe, will be at home to Sweden (currently ranked 15th in Europe) and away to Estonia (currently ranked 32nd in Europe). These matches will take place at the beginning of November.
The draw took place in Mies, Switzerland today (Tuesday 19 September) with the four co-hosts placed in the same group while the remaining 32 countries were drawn into eight groups of four teams to compete for the 12 remaining final round places.
The full results for the draw are as follows:
Group A: Spain, Croatia, Netherlands, Austria,
Group B: Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Finland,
Group C: Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Azerbaijan,
Group D: Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia
Group E: France, Latvia, Israel, Ireland
Group F: Turkey, Slovakia, Romania, Iceland
Group G: Serbia, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Portugal
Group H: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Switzerland, Luxembourg
Group I: Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece (host nations)
Speaking about the draw, Chema Buceta, the GB senior women’s head coach, said:
“Considering the system for this competition, with the first team of each group and four best second place teams qualifying, we must finish first in our group or, if second, get five wins. This is our big challenge and we will start strong in November against Sweden and Estonia. These two games will be key to help us qualify for Eurobasket.
“As always in this competition, we will have just a few days to prepare, but if we use them wisely we will be ready.
“I hope we will have the support of our fans in Manchester on 9 November against Sweden, as this will be very important. The GB team is the team of ALL British basketball. If we work together, I’m sure we can do it.”
Seedings for the draw were assigned in accordance with the FIBA World Rankings. Teams from seed one were drawn with teams from seed four, seed five and seed eight into groups A, C, E and G, while teams from seed two (which included Great Britain) were drawn with teams from seed three, seed six and seed seven into the remaining groups B, D, F and H.
All eight group winners will qualify for Eurobasket 2025 alongside the best four second-placed teams who will be compared as per the official basketball rules, with all results in the groups being taken into account.
The FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers will be played across three windows, with games scheduled for November 9 and 12 in 2023, November 7 and 10 in 2024, and February 6 and 9 in 2025, after which the Final Round field will be confirmed.
More details about the home fixture against Sweden on 9 November in Manchester, including information about how to purchase tickets, will be available soon.
A new scheme has been launched by the Department for Business and Trade, the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator, in association with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group and supported by the International Working Group on Women and Sport, tobenefit elite UK women’s sport competitions. The new programme will provide a series of sessions offering marketing insights, connections and networking events alongside mentoring for rights holders (leagues, teams, competitions and events) who are looking for investment.
The application process is open to rights holders of any UK-based women’s sports leagues, teams, competitions or events aiming to attract investment and boost their growth and will run for one year starting from autumn 2023. The Women’s Super League (WSL) and the Netball Super League were among the competitions sounded out as potential beneficiaries for this scheme, however it is also hoped that it will aid the growth of often overlooked sports and leagues such as women’s basketball and the Women’s British Basketball League.
The post-2012 Olympics funding disparity for basketball, despite its popularity, high youth participation rates and being the most diverse sport in the UK, further highlights the need for a fairer and more long-term approach to funding allocation. After the London Olympics in 2012, basketball received just £9.25 per participant between 2013 and 2017 as cricket gained £70.72 and rugby union almost £60, despite both sports having fewer participants among young people.
Despite these challenges, British basketball continues to showcase its talent globally, with numerous players excelling in prestigious leagues like the NCAA’s Division I and the NBA. The Women’s British Basketball League has continued to grow at a rapid pace over the past few years with record-breaking attendances last season as the London Lions completed their second-consecutive domestic clean sweep and achieved a 52-game winning streak. The announcement of the new scheme will hopefully provide a further platform for the league and sport to grow, as the new season approaches with the Lions building one of the most impressive rosters ever seen in British basketball.
The sport’s popularity remains strong among the British population, making it one of the nation’s top team sports after football as according to the Active Lives survey, more than one million Brits regularly play basketball while 14% of those aged 18-34 play it every week. However, the lack of appropriate funding for British basketball hampers its growth and potential to develop further talent. Adding to this, research from The London Lions – one of the UK’s premier basketball clubs – shows that 26% of Brits would like to play more and watch more basketball in the UK.
Vanja Cernivec, General Manager of the London Lions women’s team comments:
“The first thing that needs to be addressed is that women’s sport needs to develop high-level coaches alongside investment into the performance staff and facilities. By investing in the national teams, it will also enhance the number of role models for young sports players in women’s sport. But I think it all comes back to investing into coaches in the sport specific side and also on the performance side. Also, for high-level athletes to be exposed to international competitions. Not only government funding is needed, but also private funding – I think companies need to realise the potential of women’s sport, it cannot be popular if it’s not accessible and not on tv.
“There is a lot that we can do in the sporting eco-system and I think we are only scratching the surface of the potential of women’s sport, not only women being professional athletes but also women being coaches and involved in the business side of sport. The one thing that needs to be focused on is sharing the stories of successful women in sport so that young girls and boys can identify with their stories and see it as something possible to emulate. Adding to this, investing in girls and women is important at some stage I hope it is the norm that whatever is invested in men’s sport is also invested in women’s.”
The London Lions, the premier basketball team in the UK, is set to launch a first-of-its kind youth teams initiative, set to provide to a series of unique opportunities for aspiring basketball players and coaches to progress professionally throughout the country. This initiative marks a major step forward for the sport in the UK, as the Lions will be one of the only clubs to create an independent youth team structure, distinct from any existing school or college partnership. Trials will commence on July 31 at the University of East London, targeting talented players in the U12, U14, and U16 age groups for both boys’ and girls’ sides.
Recognising the need for increased opportunities and support for aspiring athletes and coaches in the UK, the Lions are committed to nurturing talent and providing a platform for growth that culminates in professional success. Testament to this, recent data from the club reveals that a staggering 62% of Brits were unaware of available avenues to pursue a career in sports during their school years. With basketball’s popularity on the rise in the UK, boasting an estimated 1.3 million regular players – serving as the second most popular team sport – the need for avenues to develop into elite opportunities has now come to the fore with the new initiative.
The players will embark on an intensive game schedule, competing against sides from across Europe, other British Basketball League (BBL) clubs, and in European tournaments. By exposing young players to high-level competition, the Lions aim to provide a suitable pathway for their development, eliminating the necessity for them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The current landscape of UK basketball presents a unique challenge for coaches, particularly due to visa restrictions that limit the presence of elite professionals from around the world. Presently, only Head Coaches in the Women’s British Basketball League, British Basketball League, and Division One on the men’s side are granted a visa endorsement letter by Basketball England, the governing body of the sport. This restrictive environment has resulted in a lack of exposure to different coaching styles, hindering the growth and evolution of aspiring players.
To address this issue, the Lions launched a pioneering coaching development program, sending coaches to leading clubs across Europe for a fully paid three-month learning experience. The participants will now assume full-time paid roles managing the youth teams, bringing with them new ideologies and perspectives that will benefit the development of young players throughout the UK. By diversifying coaching approaches and sharing European basketball insights, the Lions seek to unlock the hidden potential within British basketball, evolving players, coaches, and clubs alike.
In addition to their commitment to youth development, the London Lions recently competed in the inaugural Jr. NBA European Finals in Valencia, Spain. This elite competition hosted six U-15 boys’ teams and six U-15 girls’ teams, with one exceptional Lions player, Emmanuel Ahamefule, being selected to compete at the prestigious Jr. NBA World Showcase in Las Vegas. These achievements underline the abundance of hidden talent prevalent in the UK, further motivating the Lions to create a nurturing environment where players can thrive. The Lions are proud to pioneer this ground-breaking initiative, providing aspiring players and coaches in the UK with unparalleled opportunities to excel in the sport they love. With their new youth teams and commitment to cultivating talent, the Lions hope to aid in elevating British basketball to new heights.
Emmanuel Ahamefule, who played for the Lions at the JR NBA European Finals said:
“Valencia helped a lot with my development as a player as I was able to express myself on the court. I had amazing teammates by my side and amazing coaches there supporting me. I’m looking forward to Las Vegas as I will be competing with the top players in the world, and I will be able to show my ability on such a high stage. London Lions taught me the importance of next play mentality and always keeping my head up no matter the circumstances. This will really benefit me in the long run, and I would like to thank London Lions for helping me with this opportunity.”
Head Coach of the London Lions Women’s Team, Stella Kaltsidou, said:
“I believe it’s important for all the clubs to have the youth teams under the pro team structure that requires the cooperation of the coaches from the pro team in order to build a plan based on the philosophy of the team. That doesn’t need to include the strategies of the pro team but more the philosophy on spacing and individual and team defence. That takes communication, observation and adjustments by the coaches in order to evaluate the progress and help the young players get ready for their transfer to the pro team.
“Investing in coaches is the number one priority in order to be able to invest successfully on young athletes. Coaches, especially at the young ages, work as a role model for the players, so what is most important is to teach them work ethic, discipline, respect, patience, sportsmanship, mental toughness, help them love what they do and show them the way to be the best they can be on everything they do.”
William Twigg who attended the Lions’ International Coaching Programme and will be a full-time coach of the youth teams said:
“The coaching development journey with the London Lions has been a remarkable experience, marked by growth, learning, and countless moments of inspiration. I am very fortunate to work alongside a dedicated and visionary staff at the Lions. Their expertise and mentorship have been instrumental in honing my skills, expanding my knowledge, and instilling a deep passion for the game.
“The Lions organisation has provided invaluable support and resources, enabling me to grow both professionally and personally. Transitioning into a full-time role with the Lions has been a privilege. Being able to dedicate myself to the development of our youth teams is a testament to the trust and belief the organisation has placed in us, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering support. Really excited to get the program off the ground and see the professionalism run throughout the whole organisation.”
George Vaz Rocha who also attended the Lions’ International Coaching Programme said:
“My journey over the last 5 months with the London Lions coaching programme and now leading up to begin working with the kids in the youth academy has been educational, eye opening, and more than anything, FUN. I thought I knew a lot about basketball and coaching before starting this journey but I was so, so, wrong and I’m glad.
“Having an opportunity to work with coaches so highly regarded in their fields has been extremely motivating. Just to be in the same room with coaches I follow, respect and admire is awesome and not something you can do anywhere. Learning from them has been invaluable and a lot of the learning has been what they don’t teach but how they conduct themselves. How they speak to players or coaches, or how they prepare for practices and games, for example.”
Head coach Alan Keane has confirmed his Great Britain Under-18 Men’s roster for the FIBA European Championships Division B which start on Friday in Matosinhos, Portugal.
GB were drawn in Group A and will face North Macedonia, Austria, Iceland and Norway.
Ahead of their opening game against Iceland on Friday, Keane said: “Regardless how many European Championships one does, the feeling never waivers in terms of pride, privilege and gratitude to represent Great Britain on the international stage.
“What excites me most this time around is the quality of players, staff and people we have. This may be one of the hardest-working playing groups we have had and the depth of knowledge and experience I am surrounded with by the team staff can only be described as elite.”
Keane, who is supported by assistant coaches Mike Bernard and Ian MacLeod, added: “We look forward to getting started on Friday versus Iceland and are feeling very positive about the opportunity that is in front of us. Our ambition is to represent the nation with distinction and give each player experiences that will progress their careers in the best possible way.”
Keane has selected a 12-man roster which features an exciting range of domestic and US-based talent.
How to watch
GB Basketball TV is the only place to watch Great Britain U20s, U18s and U16s this summer at the FIBA European Championships.
Subscribe to see all the action live at gbbasketball.tv.
For results, stats and group tables, see the FIBA U18 Men’s European Championships Division B website HERE
Roster
Liam Campbell, London Elite
Nedas Cholevinskas, Barking Abbey
Latrell Davis, First Baptist Academy, USA
Sebastien Emenalo, Thames Valley Cavaliers
Matthew Goodwin, Manchester Magic
Tyrese Lacey, Kongo Basketball, USA
Moziah King-Danchie, Barking Abbey
Benjamin Michaels, Long Island Lutheran, USA
Timothy Oboh, Kent Crusaders
Edward Onyia, Leicester and Loughborough Riders
Tyreese Perry-Huggins, Endeavour Ipswich Basketball
Marcus Robinson, Team Arsenal AAU, USA
Reserves
Shaquille Furlonge, Manchester Magic
Manie Joses, NBA Academy
Head Coach: Alan Keane
Assistant Coach: Michael Bernard
Assistant Coach: Ian MacLeod
Team Manager: Steve Miknis
Physio: Toby Welch
Media officer: Nathan Green
Schedule
Friday 21 July 2023, 830pm: Great Britain v Iceland
Saturday 22 July 2023, 6pm: North Macedonia v Great Britain
Tuesday 25 July, 3.30pm: Great Britain v Austria
Wednesday 26 July, 1.30pm: Norway v Great Britain
The London Lions competed in the inaugural Jr. NBA European Finals on June 21 – June 24 in Valencia, Spain, a top-level competition that hosted six U-15 boys’ teams and six U-15 girls’ teams (players born in 2008 or younger). The teams competed in a championship-format tournament of 24 total games, NBA skills challenge and a 3-point contest. As part of their growth and development, the players were given the chance to participate in an NBA media day and life skills sessions with an NBA Ambassador.
The London Lions sent an U-15 boys’ team and an U-15 girls’ team to the finals to participate amongst some of the best players of their generation. The top 12 players were selected for each team after trials and were led at the finals by London Lions captain and Commonwealth silver medallist Shanice Beckford-Norton, Alex Sarama and coaches from the Lions’ recent International Coaching Development Programme.
By providing a chance to compete in one of the most prestigious stages in Europe for youth players, the Lions hope to further develop young players and coaches and highlight the opportunities to pursue a career in sport in the UK. This comes alongside a landmark study from the Lions showing that 21% of Brits say they want to pursue a career in sports, but 44% say they were not made aware of opportunities at school.
The Lions launched a first-of-its kind programme International Coaching Programme earlier this year in which aspiring coaches from the UK had a fully paid three-month learning trip to another leading club in Europe. By exposing the aspiring coaches to different European styles, the Lions hope that this can be passed on to academies and young players around the UK – ultimately developing the sport and evolving players, coaches and clubs. This comes as data from the Lions highlights the importance of sports coaches as 18% of Brits say a sports coach was one of the biggest positive influences in their life growing up alongside 37% of parents saying their child’s sports coach has helped their child develop in ways they could not.
Alongside this, the Lions have teamed with University of East London (UEL) and New City College (NCC) to deliver basketball programmes and aim to inspire the next generation by reaching out to schools and inviting them to their men’s and women’s fixtures. The team have also partnered under the ONE TEAM umbrella with Safe Haven to deliver numerous clinics as well as offering their coaching staff to support in their weekly sessions, in order to inspire the next generation of basketball stars.
Coaches from the Lions’ International Coaching Programme and the JR. NBA European Finals comment:
William Twigg:
“Incredible opportunity to coach against European teams along with highly developed and skilled players & coaches. It’s great to understand and see how the Jr. NBA are developing the game in Europe. It’s exciting that London Lions are a part of the opportunity and growing the game of British basketball and giving further exposure for players and coaches. I have taken away many special moments on the trip. Looking forward to continuing to grow as a coach through the Lions’ pathway.”
George Vaz:
“It was an amazing experience to coach such talented players and watch some of the best kids in Europe competing at a high level. Being a part of the players journey, working with and competing against other talented and experienced coaches taught me a lot, as well as, motivated me to keep growing in my own coaching career.”
Gurhan Gurses:
“Real eye opening experience as a coach, to test ourselves against and to learn from some of the greatest basketball nations, with the opportunity to network with coaches from all around the world. An unforgettable journey!”
WBBL Play-Off, quarter-final
London Lions 86-37 Newcastle Eagles (26-8, 52-20, 70-32)
(Lions: Winterburn, 21; Battle, 15; Joseph, 13 — Eagles: Justinak/Lewis, 11; Fernandez, 5; Nolan, 4)
A strong start lifted the London Lions to an 86-37 win over the Newcastle Eagles in their WBBL Play-off, quarter-final match-up at Crystal Palace on Bank Holiday Monday.
Now without Kiki Herbert Harrigan due to WNBA training camp, the WBBL Championship winners were still clinical, especially in the open floor as they quickly established a double-digit lead and never looked back.
Holly Winterburn led the Lions with 21 points, shooting 41% from the field, with Ty Battle adding 15 on 6/9 shooting.
Maggie Justinak and Antionette Lewis both had 11 points for the Eagles.
From the opening tip, Newcastle attacked London, but the first few possessions produced basic turnovers, allowing the Lions to capitalise with two triples in the corner from Katsiaryna Snytsina along with a three in transition from Winterburn giving the hosts the advantage.
From outside to inside play as Shequila Joseph connected inside for a three-point play giving London a 18-6 lead with 2:58 left, and the gap grew further with 1:30 left, a fast break bucket from Chantel Charles handed the hosts a 23-8 cushion, forcing a Newcastle timeout.
And as is typical for the Lions all season long, a buzzer-beating long-range basket from Snytsina put her side in control, up 26-8 after one.
Like the male colleagues, the Eagles were able to get shots up and eventually got to double digits through free throws from Justinak and a jumper from Marina Fernandez narrowed the deficit.
And Fernandez was again at the heart of Newcastle’s offence as they enjoyed a positive spell of play, as she connected on her side’s first three-pointer in eight attempts, but through Winterburn, the champions led 37-15 with 4:31 in the half remaining.
Despite the pressure that the Eagles put on the Lions, the hosts were still able to shoot a solid 44% from the field, bettering the 23% from Newcastle as they took a 52-20 cushion at the half.
And London’s lead soared to 63-32 with 4:11 remaining as Battle got it done at both ends as her steal led the fast break where she finished inside off the feed from Joseph, en route to a comfortable 70-32 advantage.
From there, the Lions’ lead peaked at 51 points as they continued to push the ball and punish the Eagles in transition on their way to a victory.
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