Brixton TopCats

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Brixton Topcats
Leagues English Basketball League
Founded 1985
Arena Brixton Recreation Centre
Location Brixton, London
Team colors Red and White
         

Brixton TopCats is a British basketball team based in the Brixton area of London. Established in 1985, the first team currently compete in the English Basketball League Division 1, but the club is particularly notable for its highly-rated development programme, which has produced the likes of Luol Deng, Ajou Deng, Ugonna Onyekwe and Emiko Etete in recent years.[1][2] The TopCats are based at Brixton Recreation Centre and since 2009 operate a partnership with London South Bank University.

Franchise history

Brixton Basketball Club was officially formed in 1984, although its roots are far older than this. The club is arguably the most famous basketball club in England, with a trophy cabinet and alumni to rival any club in the country. Founded against the backdrop of race riots in England in the 1980s, the club’s mission is to provide high quality opportunity for young people in South London, both on the court and in the wider areas of life.

The nickname 'TopCats' is inspired by the cartoon of the same name, relevant for its parody of the relationship between young people in the community and the Police. Brixton TopCats is a cornerstone of the local community and has impacted on the lives of thousands of inner city children in the last quarter century. The current development programme attracts over 200 juniors every week and has strong links with local schools and an official partnership with London South Bank University.

The club is particularly notable for its highly-rated development programme, which has produced the likes of Andrea Congreave, Ronnie Baker, Andrew Bailey, Paul Mundy-Castle, Luol Deng, Ajou Deng, Ugonna Onyekwe and Emiko Etete in recent years. Five of the current men's Great Britain team are products of the Brixton programme;

The club has a high profile nationally and has received visits over the years from HRH Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Robert Horry, Lennox Lewis, Ian Wright and Kate Hoey MP. The clubs’ founder, owner and General Manager, Jimmy Rogers is recognised as a community leader and is respected globally in basketball circles. The club has been placing players into educational institutions for over 20 years both in the USA and England, and is proud of its alumni who have been successful both on and off the court.

In addition to developing talent the club has an elite strand and competes in the English National League in the highest divisions in both senior men and women, and junior men and women. TopCats, and Junior and Senior teams that have been league mainstays since 1985, winning many trophies and championships along the way.

References

  1. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/basketball/6145178.stm
  2. ↑ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/brixton-recreation-centre/

External links

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