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  • SLB Weekend Roundup: Lions Respond, Cheshire Roll, Newcastle Edge Surrey

    SLB Weekend Roundup: Lions Respond, Cheshire Roll, Newcastle Edge Surrey

    It was another busy weekend across Super League Basketball, with tight finishes, statement wins and a bounce-back performance from the London Lions. Here’s a look at the standout results from the latest round of action.

    Newcastle Eagles 92–89 Surrey 89ers

    Newcastle kicked off the weekend with a narrow 92–89 win over Surrey, holding off a late push from the visitors in a fast, back-and-forth contest at the Vertu Motors Arena.

    Deion Hammond led the way with 20 points, while Gus Okafor added 17 and Ray’Sean Taylor contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds. Surrey were powered by Ronald Polite III’s 20 points and 9 assists and a strong all-around performance from Isiah Small, but came up short in the final possessions. Newcastle’s composure at the line proved decisive as they closed out a valuable home win.

    Cheshire Phoenix 111–84 Bristol Flyers

    Cheshire produced one of the performances of the season, overpowering Bristol 111–84 in a dominant display at Cheshire Oaks Arena.

    Damiri Lindo erupted for 28 points on near-perfect shooting, including six threes, while Patrick Robinson added 16 points and 9 assists. The Phoenix shot 54% from the field and moved the ball freely, overwhelming a Bristol side that struggled to match their tempo or defensive intensity. Joseph Anderson’s 17 points led the Flyers, but Cheshire were in control from the opening minutes and never looked back.

    London Lions 95–82 Newcastle Eagles

    London bounced back at the Copper Box Arena, improving to 9–1 with a confident 95–82 win over Newcastle on Sunday evening.

    Amin Adamu delivered his best performance of the season, scoring 20 points on elite efficiency and drilling 80% of his threes. Joel Scott added 16 points, and London used a dominant first half to build a cushion that carried them through a more uneven second.
    Newcastle cut the gap to seven behind Taylor and Hammond, but late offensive rebounds from Deane Williams and Johnathan Williams III helped the Lions regain control and close out the win.

    Head coach Tautvydas Sabonis praised the response following their midweek defeat, highlighting the team’s improved physicality and focus.

  • FIBA Restores British Basketball’s Status After New Agreement with Super League Basketball

    FIBA Restores British Basketball’s Status After New Agreement with Super League Basketball

    Super League Basketball (SLB) has reached a formal agreement with basketball’s world governing body FIBA to oversee domestic competitions in Great Britain, bringing an end to the suspension that sidelined the men’s national team.

    FIBA had previously suspended the British Basketball Federation (BBF) over governance failures that raised questions about the sport’s regulatory structure. That move barred the men’s national side from international play while a taskforce examined “regulatory non-compliance” across British basketball.

    The dispute began earlier this year when the BBF handed a 15-year licence for a new professional competition, the Great Britain Basketball League, to GBB League Ltd, a consortium led by US businessman Marshall Glickman. The group promised an investment of £15 million over its first two years, but the existing nine SLB clubs rejected the tender process, calling it “illegal and unjust”, and refused to take part.

    Under the new arrangement, FIBA has entered a “direct recognition agreement” with SLB to safeguard the operation and governance of top-tier men’s basketball while the BBF remains suspended. The move is designed to preserve stability in the domestic game and restore confidence among clubs and players.

    “This agreement provides a framework for the organisation and governance of domestic competitions while safeguarding regulatory integrity,” FIBA said in a statement. The governing body added that it would continue to work with the BBF, UK Sport, and the UK Government to help rebuild a self-sustaining national federation.

    The decision also lifts the ban on Britain’s men’s team, allowing it to return to international competition for the first time since the suspension.

    Sanjay Bhandari, interim independent chair of SLB, called the announcement “transformative” after what he described as a challenging period for British basketball.

    “FIBA’s recognition means our plans to develop SLB as a high-growth sports organisation can now move forward quickly,” he said. “We look ahead with excitement as we work with FIBA, UK Sport, and the UK Government to deliver the success this sport deserves.”

    The outcome marks a critical turning point for the domestic game, signalling renewed unity and a chance to rebuild the structure of elite British basketball on stronger ground.

  • Missed Chances Cost Lions in EuroCup Defeat to Türk Telekom

    Missed Chances Cost Lions in EuroCup Defeat to Türk Telekom

    London, UK – Wednesday, 29 October 2025

    The London Lions fell 89–77 to Türk Telekom Ankara at the Copper Box Arena, unable to recover from a decisive third-quarter surge and costly free-throw misses in EuroCup Group B play.

    The Lions began well, pushing the tempo and defending aggressively inside to edge ahead 16–14 after the opening quarter. Kameron McGusty found rhythm early from mid-range, while Aaryn Rai, making his first EuroCup start, brought physicality on the boards. Tarik Phillip added energy off the bench, attacking downhill and keeping the offense moving.

    London’s control faded in the second period as Telekom found their rhythm through Kyle Allman, who finished with 22 points and six assists. A 9–2 run from the visitors swung momentum, and despite a late three from Phillip, the Lions trailed 45–42 at halftime.

    The third quarter proved decisive. Joel Scott briefly reignited London’s push with a put-back dunk and a corner three, but Telekom responded with discipline and interior power through Kyle Alexander, who posted 15 points and 10 rebounds. London were outscored 27–18 in the frame and entered the fourth chasing a double-digit deficit.

    Phillip and McGusty sparked a final run early in the fourth, cutting the gap to eight, but the Lions’ shooting struggles from the line stalled their comeback. London finished 12-of-21 (57%) on free throws, while Telekom hit 23-of-31 (74%) and controlled the glass.

    Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis said post-game that effort wasn’t the issue — pride and composure were.
    “I want to thank the fans for coming, it was a bigger crowd and we really felt it,” he said. “But we weren’t ready for the physicality, the rebounding, or taking care of the ball. The ball is energy, the ball is love. If we give it up too many times, we don’t even give ourselves a chance to score or rebound.”

    Joel Scott, who finished with 16 points, echoed that frustration.
    “They just outrebounded us,” he said. “We didn’t box out like we needed to. It’s something we have to take pride in — hitting our guys, keeping them off the boards, all five of us. We’ve got to take pride and do it better next time.”

    The loss drops the Lions to 2–3 in Group B, while Türk Telekom improve to 3–2. McGusty added 16 points, Phillip 10, and Rai 8 with 9 rebounds. The Lions now turn back to domestic action, hosting the Leicester Riders at the Copper Box on Sunday.

    Final Score: Türk Telekom Ankara 89, London Lions 77
    Sources: London Lions post-game interviews; EuroCup media; Crano Sports live coverage

  • Manchester Basketball 90–95 Surrey 89ers

    National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester

    Sunday 26 October

    Surrey 89ers edged Manchester Basketball by five in a gritty encounter, 95–90, as composure in the final minute tipped the balance.

    Surrey opened strongly, with Michael Graham launching their attack and spotting early perimeter threats that forced Manchester into reactive defence. Max Jones responded for the hosts, drilling a deep three followed by a fadeaway jumper that set the tone for his standout night. Kayne Henry’s consistent work from beyond the arc kept Manchester within striking distance.

    Manchester attacked inside via PJay Smith, whose drives and physicality drew fouls and kick-out opportunities for shooters like Zak Irvin and Kyle Carey. Nonetheless, Surrey’s disciplined transition play and smarter shot selection helped them hold a narrow 48–46 lead at the break.

    After the interval, Surrey mixed inside finishes with outside looks to maintain their edge. Manchester remained dangerous through Jones’s attacking mindset and the support of Irvin and Smith, underscored by Irvin linking with Carey for a composed three-point play. Yet Surrey’s sustained defensive steadiness kept them in front as the minutes wound down.

    In the fourth quarter, Jones powered Manchester back into contention, reaching a 30-point total and hitting a massive three to give his side a seven-point lead. But Surrey’s veteran guard Andrew Lawrence orchestrated their closing attack, and duo Kareem Queeley and Owen Koonce delivered key plays down the stretch. Two perfect free throws in the dying seconds sealed the win for the 89ers, who withstood Manchester’s late surge.

    Jones led Manchester with 30 points, and Henry plus Smith offered essential support on both ends. For Surrey, it was their collective balance, tight defence, and late-game heartbeat that made the difference. The result underlines Surrey’s growing momentum and Manchester’s potential — even in defeat — as the Super League season settles into its rhythm.

  • BUCS Basketball: Roehampton overpower London Met in 81–61 win

    BUCS Basketball: Roehampton overpower London Met in 81–61 win

    London – Wednesday Night:

    Roehampton University produced a dominant performance to defeat London Met 81–61 in BUCS competition, leaning on disciplined defence and sharp inside play to take control after halftime.

    London Met guard Jason opened the scoring, showing early confidence from deep, but Roehampton’s tight defensive structure quickly stalled Met’s rhythm. Despite flashes of energy, Met struggled to find consistency against Roehampton’s interior strength, trailing 13–7 after the first quarter.

    The second period saw Met attempt to push back, driving to the rim and creating opportunities in transition. However, Roehampton’s defensive pressure forced rushed shots and turnovers. Both sides traded long-range efforts midway through the quarter, but Roehampton’s efficiency helped them extend their advantage to 46–28 by halftime.

    In the second half, forward Kuz brought intensity inside, attacking the basket and trying to cut into the deficit. Met’s defence improved visibly, yet Roehampton captain Cadell continued to impose himself at both ends of the floor, combining strong drives and perimeter shooting with decisive defensive stops to maintain control.

    When the final buzzer sounded, Roehampton’s balance and composure told the story. Their ability to control tempo and dominate inside proved too much for a Met side that couldn’t sustain offensive rhythm.

    After the game, Jason admitted the team needed to refocus:

    “We’ve got to play better defence, communicate more, and take smarter shots. We’ve just got to get better.”

    Captain Cadell was even more direct:

    “We didn’t lose because they were better — we lost because we didn’t play to our standard. We need to take pride, defend harder, and come together when things get tough.”

    London Met will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, with clear lessons to take from a night where Roehampton’s discipline made all the difference.

  • London Lions Hold Off Caledonia to Stay Perfect

    Kam McGusty advances the ball for London Lions against Caledonia Gladiators
    London Lions Media


    The London Lions maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League Basketball season with an 81–73 win over the Caledonia Gladiators at New City College. It was another victory to extend their perfect record, but not without warning signs — the Gladiators pushed them all the way until the final minute.

    The Lions came into the game off the back of their dominant EuroCup showing against Trento and looked determined to carry that form forward. They opened the first quarter with purpose, attacking the paint and knocking down early threes. Ethan Price made an instant impact with a thunderous alley-oop that set the tone for the night.

    By the end of the opening period, Deane Williams had punished the Caledonia defense with back-to-back threes to give London a 21–15 lead.

    The second quarter saw the visitors find rhythm through Kevin Allen, who was near unstoppable inside and finished the first half with 20 points. London’s composure, however, held. Joel Scott controlled the glass at both ends, and Amin Adamu’s buzzer-beater sent the Lions into halftime up 45–38.

    Caledonia came out swinging after the break, trimming the deficit to just four points early in the third. Their defensive pressure intensified, forcing London into tougher possessions. But the Lions’ depth once again proved decisive — Jonathan Williams hit key shots at crucial moments, and Joel Scott continued to be a physical presence under the rim as London clung to a 64–59 lead heading into the final quarter.

    The Gladiators refused to fade. A 7–0 run midway through the fourth brought the game back to 69–68 as Allen continued to dominate the paint. But London found an answer through their bench leaders. Scott drilled a three from the top of the key, Adamu connected with Deane Williams for a vital layup, and in the closing seconds, a ferocious Scott dunk and a huge defensive block from Williams sealed the win.

    After the game, Williams credited the team’s ability to stay composed under pressure:

    “It’s just part of our game plan, taking the shots we’re given and staying aggressive,” he said. “We just focus on getting one stop at a time — not thinking too far ahead, not looking back. That’s what we’ve been working on in practice.”

    Head coach Tautvydas Sabonis wasn’t fully satisfied despite the result:

    “A win’s a win, but we can be better,” he said. “We’re far from our potential. These games have to be taken seriously — every one of them is a chance to improve.”

    The Lions now move to 5–0 in Super League Basketball, remaining the only undefeated team in the competition. They travel to Germany next for EuroCup action against Niners Chemnitz, before heading north to face Caledonia again in the return fixture on Sunday.

  • Analysis: London Lions Finally Find Their Rhythm in EuroCup Win Over Trento

    Analysis: London Lions Finally Find Their Rhythm in EuroCup Win Over Trento

    After back-to-back EuroCup defeats, the London Lions produced the perfect response at the Copper Box Arena — defeating Dolomiti Energia Trento 87–71 with one of their most complete performances of the season.

    From the opening tip, London looked focused and aggressive. They attacked the rim early, played with pace, and immediately set the tone defensively. Their rotations were sharper, their communication louder, and they forced Trento into tough looks inside. By the end of the first quarter, the Lions had built a 29–16 lead and looked in full control.

    In the second quarter, their dominance continued. London’s ball movement created clean looks from deep, and the defensive rebounding — a weakness in previous games — turned into a genuine weapon in transition. Deane Williams anchored the defence and connected play on both ends, while Jordan McGusty found his rhythm from three, stretching Trento’s defence. By halftime, the Lions led by 22, and it felt like the night they’d been waiting for in this EuroCup campaign.

    Speaking after the game, Williams said the win was as much about mentality as execution.

    “I think the statement is most important for ourselves, just to prove to ourselves that we’re capable of playing great basketball,” he said. “We had a conversation at halftime — we have no excuses now. This is the level that we’re going to play at every single game.”

    Trento tried to disrupt that rhythm in the third quarter, introducing a full-court press and stepping up their defensive intensity. For a short spell, it worked – London committed a few turnovers and Trento found some momentum — but the Lions quickly adapted. They broke through the press with patience, found open lanes, and re-established their lead.

    Williams pointed to communication as a key reason the team handled that pressure.

    “That’s something we’ve been stressing,” he said. “Communication, not just with your voice but your body language, pointing, showing that you’re ready for defence. Tonight we just did things right.”

    Head coach Tautvydas Sabonis praised his team’s mindset and hunger.

    “The message before the game was simple: they don’t want it more than us, but we have to want it more than them,” he said. “The guys understood the task, and in the first 20 minutes that was done. The second half was a different story, but I’m proud of how they responded.”

    Despite Trento cutting into the margin late, the Lions’ poise never wavered. Their blend of inside presence, perimeter accuracy, and defensive discipline carried them through the closing minutes to a well-deserved win.

    For a side under pressure to respond, this was a statement of intent. The Lions showed they can defend, adapt, and dominate at EuroCup level when locked in.