League: National Basketball League
The National Basketball League, or NBL for short, is a league competition representing professional, semi-professional and amateur basketball clubs from England and Wales. It forms levels 2 to 5 on the British Basketball pyramid, in line with the Scottish Basketball Championship, sitting directly below the top tier British Basketball League.
The league has teams split across four levels:
Division 1 (14 teams)
Division 2 (12 teams)
Division 3 North and South (20 teams)
Division 4 North, Midlands, South East and South West (40-48 teams)
The league also runs the English Women’s Basketball League, with Division 1 and Division 2 North and South, and a junior structure with over 450 junior clubs competing in Under-18s, Under-16s and Under-14s leagues.[1]
There is no promotion and relegation between the National League and the British Basketball League (BBL), which operates a franchise system. Despite this, several teams have been successful in making the step up from the League to the BBL in recent years, most notably the Worcester Wolves, the Plymouth Raiders and the Bristol Flyers.
Joseph Furey
Achievements
Rossendale raptors 2012-2015
Manchester magic 2015/16 won the north in a nearly unbeaten season.
Won the Sligo invitational tournament and lost in final 8 of the national league.
In 2016/17 as an under 15 team in the u16s league won the north west conference and finished in the playoffs in the premier league, losing in the final 8 again. We also went to an invitational tournament in Spain, coming 3rd playing against basketball academies.
In 2017/2018 we won the national cup, and had an unbeaten premier league season, losing in the National final to haringey hawks.
In 2018/19 I returned to Rossendale spinner u18s and raptors mens team as could not go to loreto and could not balance studies and playing in two leagues plus training.
Best moment
The cup run in 17/18, beating the undefeated haringey hawks in the semi finals, and the Sussex storm in the final to win it.
Message to other players
Despite being the youngest, I am really looking forward to developing as a player and learning some new tricks off the old dogs
Something few people know about me
I rode an ostrich once and fell off
Omar Abbassy
Achievements/Teams
Bury Blue Devils u16/u18 13/14/15
Preston’s College u18 (Runners up) & AoC
(National Champions) 15/16
Stoke on Trent College AoC (Runners Up) & Division 3 16/17
Bury Blue Devils MABL 18/19
Your best moment ?
Playing under head coach Malcolm Leak at Preston’s college basketball academy
Your message to other players ?
I hope everyone comes in with high intensity and competitiveness, especially in practice, and we’re ready to play. There’ll be ups and downs just like any season, but as long as we all want to progress and develop as individuals and as a team we’ll do well
Something few people know about you ?
I love anime (Japanese cartoons)
Conor Porter
With great pedigree and tons of experience as his achievements demonstrate.
Manchester Magic U16/U18/Mens – (final fours x2, league winners x3, national cup/trophy x3, division 2 promotion)
Loreto College U17/U18/U19 – (college league winners x2, national cup/trophy x4)
Rossendale Raptors Mens – (division 3 league winners and promotion)
University of Salford – (Bucs northern 2a league winners and promotion)
Lancashire spinners – (division 2 promotion, patrons cup winner)
Manchester Giants 2 – (division 4 league winners and promotion)
He’s not a stranger to showing hustle and determination.
Your best moment?
“winning my first ever final fours playoffs final for Manchester Magic U16 after being down 20 points at halftime against our rivals Cheshire.”
He understands what it takes to win and can see value in team unity.
Your message to other players:
“I am excited to be part of the building process again for Lancashire Spinners and I am confident that with the group of players and the staff we have, that we can reach our goals of playing and competing in Division 1 again. This year I am committed to the team and want to put ourselves into positions to win trophies and I am sure that with this talented group we will be able to do so. I am looking forward to having a successful year and anticipate a rewarding, yet challenging season ahead.”
But it’s not always been basketball for this young athlete and few people will know this fact about him.
Something few people know about you (keep it clean for the kids!):
“I have also played semi-professional football, but for now i am focusing on Basketball!”