The LSB have partnered with City and Islington College, to host the LSB Islington Basketball Academy, to provide an elite basketball training and competitions program, alongside top-quality academic courses for ambitious young players interested in basketball excellence in Central London.
City & Islington Academy teams compete in the English Academies Basketball League (ABL), AOC, Next Level League, and also the CBL – providing more than 50 game opportunities per season for our teams. In addition, fresh for 2023-24 our Varsity team will compete in competitions overseas, giving our players invaluable experiences playing against international competition as we prepare our players for the next level.
The Basketball Academy is split into two areas of program development, Varsity and Junior Varsity squads, for players aged between 16-19.
Varsity Program
For aspiring elite players, our Varsity program provides intensive skills development, strength and conditioning training, athlete support, guidance, technical individual and team coaching and a minimum of 35 games per season.
With strong links to professional basketball teams and universities throughout Britain and Europe – alongside a bespoke preparation and placement programme for American colleges, players who attend our Islington academy will be well positioned to fulfil their basketball ambitions.
Junior Varsity Program
For those who simply want to continue to learn and play the game, without the time-intensive commitment of the elite program schedule, our Islington Basketball Academy also offers a ‘Junior Varsity’ option which provides regular coaching, games and the opportunity to earn coaching qualifications alongside your normal academic college course while still enjoying all the benefits of being a student-athlete at the college.
CITY & ISLINGTON EAGLES PLAY IN 3 DIFFERENT LEAGUES WITH OVER 35 GAME PER SEASON
All players in our Basketball Academy will receive:
- Academy branded T-Shirts
- Professional coaching and games for up to 6 hours per week
- Weekly competitive games in college, academy and community basketball leagues
- Access to medical support for injury prevention and rehabilitation
- Free access to gym and fitness suite under coach supervision
- Free fitness, strength and conditioning, programmes alongside sports nutrition advice and guidance
- Free places at development basketball camps throughout the year
In addition to the above, Elite Academy players will receive:
- Access of up to 15 hours of professional basketball training from coaches with proven track records of developing players through to US scholarship level
- Personalised strength and conditioning program
- Access to daily training facilities
- Individual skills development programme tailored to your specific needs
- Placement support for US college scholarships and top European academies for talented players
- Direct links and pathways through to professional teams in the BBL and Europe
- Opportunity to become a LSB sponsored athlete – with a value of up to £1500 PA
- Opportunity to play on travel teams abroad to compete in international competitions (Europe/USA)
- Increased exposure to coaches and scouts across the USA and Europe
- Full stats and player profile online
- Full game footage online and available for player showreels
- Academy tracksuit and bag
VARSITY BASKETBALL OFFERS TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVE GAMES TO HELP PLAYERS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
To be considered for the Basketball Academy, you must:
- Be aged 16-18 on 31 August in the year you start your course
- Enrol on a full-time course at either City & Islington, Westminster Kingsway or COHENEL College
- Apply online and be assessed by our coaching staff
Studying as part of the Basketball Academy
As part of the CCG college network, students who join the College’s Basketball Academy can study at either City & Islington, Westminster Kingsway or COHENEL, giving our student-athletes an unrivalled selection of courses to choose from. Students can select ANY full-time course at any of the the 3 college’s while taking part in the Basketball Academy program.
Academy Coaching Staff
Head Coach, Ayende 'Swift' Lewis
TO JOIN ISLINGTON BASKETBALL ACADEMY: APPLY ONLINE
WE RUN A, B & DEVELOPMENT LEVELS TEAMS, FOR BOTH BOYS & GIRLS. OUR AIM IS TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME.
ISLINGTON BASKETBALL ACADEMY IS 100% FREE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE PLAYERS. REGISTER TODAY FOR THE NEXT UPCOMING TRIAL:
Richard Dos Santos
Academy Wing
"This season the academy has been extremely patient with my development as a player but constantly pushing me to new heights with accessibility to a well-maintained court and more. The coaching has been key to my development and IQ, putting faith in me as player to lead the team trusting me with a vision I never saw in myself and constantly hinting at ways to improve myself, not telling me but nudging me to figure things out for myself allowing me to become the player I am today and who I want to be be in a few years from now."
Samuel Jean
Academy Point Guard
"At the start of the season I was turning the ball over alot and missing my scoring opportunities as I just didn’t understand organised basketball at this level. But the coaches showed me all the details and intricacies down to a T to help me develop from plays to skills to footwork and they even went out of their way to give us extra conditioning above and beyond anything I've ever seen before. Coach has helped me improve in every way and is always there for us, whether it's practice, games, conditioning, skill work, whatever and whenever"
Reece Campbell
Academy Wing
"Training with the coaches at the academy, has been an eye opener for me. From not knowing a lot about basketball at a higher level to now learning so much through their knowledge and teaching has helped me improve my game in so many ways, such as shooting and dribbling, attention to detail and determination. Also playing at the academy has taught me that keeping my body conditioned and healthy is very important to be able to compete at high level. Coaches are always there at every session to help us improve and show us how to get to the next level. Our practices are detailed, always well-prepared and always challenging which has made us all so much better"
Ruben Antwi
Academy Guard/Wing
"The academy established a helpful and welcoming environment when starting my journey with the program. The coaches have helped me greatly with my skill in basketball as I was mostly just a street baller with not a great amount of organised basketball skill when I first came here. However the coaches are experienced and dedicated, and their love for the game drove me to work hard and I began to develop better basketball IQ, foot work, finishing and team play. The academy and coaches taught me more than just basketball, it's taught me the importance of consistency, patience, determination, heart, family and much more values like these which have helped me understand basketball is more than just a game...it’s life."
NEW PLAYERS
NEW COACHES
Islington Basketball Academy is managed and delivered by the London School of Basketball in partnership with City & Islington College. The academy has been developed to provide an elite basketball training, competitions and player support program, alongside top-quality academic courses for aspiring 16-19 year olds in and around Central London. City and Islington College is one of the largest colleges in London, with a diverse student body of approximately 14,000 students. The college provides a first class learning environment where students can study A-Levels, BTEC's, HND's in addition to a wide array of vocational courses. With 5 specialist centres across Central and North London, CANDI is well positioned to provide students with the facilities and support they need to achieve outstanding results and prepare you for maximum success at University or employment in an expanding global economy.
The London School of Basketball (LSB) is London's biggest and most exciting basketball development organisation, who focus on teaching the game from the grassroots up. The LSB specialise in basketball coaching for players of all abilities through a quality-assured, expansive network of qualified coaches and clubs throughout the capital. We also facilitate educational programs and competitions to develop new and improved coaches, stronger clubs and remain committed to creating more opportunities for young Londoners to LEARN, PLAY, DEVELOP & PROGRESS within the game, all across the city.
