We are recalling all foreign players that ever have played in the League, telling about foreign championships and National teams of different countries in World basketball map project. Today we will speak about the United Kingdom
Population: 67.9 mln
Players in the history of League: 5
Full list of players: Michael Lenzly (USA), Ryan Martin, Pops Mensakh-Bonsu, Ryan Richards, Joel Freeland
Pops Mensakh-Bonsu was the first British in the League. The athletic center signed with CSKA in January 2010 and played 2 games in VTB League. Another UK center, Joel Freeland, played for CSKA from 2015 to 2017. Both are VTB League champions.
There were two British players in the last season of VTB United League: center Ryan RIchards (Kalev) and Ryan Martin (Tsmoki-Minsk).
Furthermore, in 2019/20 season Kalev had an American player with a UK passport, Sacha Killeya-Jones. 21-year-old played for Great Britain in 2021 Eurobasket qualification.
Basketball in the United Kingdom
League: British Basketball League (BBL)
Founded: 1987
Number of teams: 11
League’s web-site: http://www.bbl.org.uk/
11teams play in the BBL, 10 of which are located in England with Glasgow Rocks being the only Scottish team. Apart from the league, all clubs compete in two cup competitions called BBL Cup and BBL Trophy.
The League has limitations for foreign players (no more than 5 for a game), contracts with BBC Sport and YouTube, women’s league (WBBL) and two official awards: MVP and Coach of the year.
Curious fact is that the British league is an independent competition governed by the participating clubs. Each team is represented in the Board which is responsible for decisions concerning politics and regulations.
The last time a British team played in eurocups was 2018/19 season. At that time champions Leicester Riders played at the group stage of FIBA Europe Cup.
Interesting fact
Legendary Dennis Rodman finished his career in Brtitish league. In 2006, 45-year-old 5-time NBA champion played for Brighton Bears.
National team
FIBA rank: 42
FIBA members: since 2005
Achievements: 2 participations at the Olympics, 4 participations at Eurobasket
The United Kingdom national team is one of the youngest in basketball world. They joined FIBA only 15 years ago after uniting England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latter can send their players to the UK national team only for the Olympics.
Home 2012 Olympics in London were the most successful competition for the UK. The British led by Luol Deng, Nate Reinking, Joel Freeland and Pops Mensakh-Bonsu took the 9th place, outplayed China (90:58) and fought closely with Spain (78:79).
Moreover, the UK national played at Eurobasket 4 times (2009, 2011, 2013 and 2017). The British took 13th place in the first three cases.
The most famous players in history
Luop Deng. The forward played 15 seasons in the NBA (902 games, 14.8 points) with two All-Star games. Plus, he played at 2011 Eurobasket and 2012 Olympics. Luop Deng was on the cover of NBA Live 09 and NBA Live 10 in the UK,
Ben Gordon. NCAA Champion (2004), 2004 NBA draft 3rd pick and the best sixth player in the NBA (2005). Gordon played 10 seasons overseas (744 games) averaging 14.9 points per game.
Nate Reinking. The best point guard in British history. Reinking played in the NCAA, spent 11 seasons in BBL, 5 seasons in Belgium and finished his career at 38 at London Olympics. Today Reinking heads the UK national team and a G-League Canton Charge.
Pops Mensakh-Bonsu. VTB League and Turkish League champion, Eurochallenge champion and Final Four MVP, D-League All-Star participant. In 2018, ex-CSKA center became general manager of G-League’s Capital City Go-Go.
Joel Freeland. 2-time VTB League champion, and Euroleague champion as a CSKA player. Freeland also spent 3 seasons in Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.
Dmitriy Kolinov
