As 2024 comes to a close, we take a look back at the top 10 moments that shaped British basketball this year.
From historic wins to landmark changes in the sport’s infrastructure, these stories highlight a pivotal year for the sport.
Basketball fans in the UK were treated to a spectacle as a stacked Team USA men’s squad used London as a staging ground for their Paris Olympics warm-up games. South Sudan put up a fight, but USA were victorious in an event that underscored London’s importance in the global basketball landscape.
British basketball’s presence in the NCAA reached new heights with Great Osobor transferring to Washington, breaking NIL records in the process. He had a reported $2 million in name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements in place, according to ESPN, making him the most valuable player in college basketball. Though born in Spain, Great was developed in the UK after moving here with his family, plying his trade with Bradford Dragons and Myerscough basketball academy.
Luol Deng returned to London as President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, leading his nation’s team in a full-circle moment at the Copper Box Arena. The GB Olympian who suited up at London 2012, returned to the same Olympic Park he played in for GB, but in a new role, with a country he has put on a meteoric rise in global basketball since he became the President in 2019. South Sudan defeated GB 81-84.
The first major upset of the year saw the Cheshire Phoenix dethrone the dominant and much bigger budgeted London Lions in the BBL Trophy Final. In a thriller, Cheshire’s resilience captured the hearts of fans and set up what has become one of the biggest rivalries in British basketball.
Great Britain pulled off an absolute stunner with victory against Greece in a crucial EuroBasket qualifier at the sold out Copper Box Arena. The squad charged back from a 17-point deficit to upset Greece 73-72 for a big victory in Group F in a game that won’t be forgotten for a while. Quinn Ellis shone on his way to 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals, further cementing his status as the future for GB.
Tosan Evbuomwan became the latest Brit to break into the NBA, signing a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and then hooking on with the Detroit Pistons on a two-way. His journey from Newcastle to the world’s top league continues to inspire young players across the UK, as he now plays in the G-League waiting for another opportunity on the big stage.
The London Lions men made history by advancing to the semi-finals of the EuroCup, marking a milestone for British basketball on the European stage. With likely the biggest budget British basketball has ever seen, Lions – led by Sam Dekker – showed what for, winning the domestic league playoff final and going deep in the EuroCup to the semi-finals before falling to Paris.
Milton Keynes shocked everyone by claiming their first-ever National Cup title, defeating Reading Rockets to become the first NBL Division 2 side in the modern era to win the Cup. Jordan Spencer was named MVP, finishing with 34 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists as the Breakers made a little history, having brought back a group of hometown pros to make Milton Keynes a relevant basketball city again. Breakers went on to win the Division 2 Playoff crown and gain promotion to D1 for this season.
In a year of seismic change, the British Basketball League’s operating licence was terminated by the BBF, leading to the rise of Super League Basketball (SLB). The new league’s formation saved the domestic professional game, giving fans hope for a brighter future, but leaving a lot of questions of how US-based private equity firm 777 Partners ended up with such a stranglehold on British basketball.
There is no other possible number one than this. The London Lions women etched their names in the history books by becoming EuroCup champions in dramatic fashion as Holly Winterburn hit the late game winning triple. This monumental achievement not only cements their – and British basketball’s – place among Europe’s elite historical records but also serves as a defining moment for the game here, made bittersweet by their disbandment shortly after.
What do you think? Any others we’ve missed? What a year it has been, here’s to 2025 bringing even more milestones for British basketball and hopefully, being a little less tumultuous.
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