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.
Led by arguably the greatest British 3-point shooter of all-time, former Euroleague and GB International Sam Stiller, the Academy is well positioned to provide the very best basketball environment for both elite and developing players alike.
Coach Stiller is an advanced and vastly experienced coach who is widely regarded as one of the best and most respected coaches in Britain, with a prodigious talent for developing elite level skills in players committed to being the best they can be. He has coached at the highest levels and has an exemplary coaching and playing history which is revered amongst the British basketball hierarchy.
As a former professional player, he represented England at both the Junior and Senior International levels and was also a key contributor to the most successful domestic professional team in the history of British Basketball, making it to the Euroleague quarter-finals, which still stands as the highest ranking competitive achievement of any British professional team in the history of the game.
City & Islington Academy teams compete in the English Academies Basketball League (ABL), AOC, LDN 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.
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.
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.
All players in our Basketball Academy will receive:
In addition to the above, Elite Academy players will receive:
To be considered for the Basketball Academy, you must:
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, Sam Stiller
Assistant Coach, Jamal Ayende
TO JOIN ISLINGTON BASKETBALL ACADEMY: APPLY ONLINE
Next Level Academies are dedicated to the comprehensive development of ambitious student-athletes. Combining elite coaching, top-level facilities, and a wide variety of academic courses that prepare players for higher education or employment, our academies foster an environment where potential is realised and refined and supported through to your 'Next Level'.
