NCC London Lions roar to victory in European tournament

Congratulations to the New City College London Lions basketball team on their success in the European Youth Basketball League (EYBL) tournament in Romania.

The team delivered a dominant, unbeaten performance, winning all four of their matches in the U20 competition and securing their place in the prestigious Super Final in Latvia at the end of February.

The NCC players – who are studying Sport and Personal Training with the basketball pathway as well as other courses at NCC Hackney Campus – showed skill and determination, starting their days with early morning practice sessions before taking on top teams from across Europe in the tournament.

Their first match saw them overpower strong Italian side, Ancona, with an impressive 86-62 victory. They continued their winning streak with three more convincing performances, finishing undefeated.

NCC London Lions head coach and Director of Basketball, Andre Lockhart, said he was proud of the team’s achievements: “These young men have shown great dedication, discipline and teamwork. They represented New City College and the London Lions with great professionalism.”

Individual excellence was also recognised, with Tyresse Mensah (pictured above) receiving a trophy for earning a coveted spot in the tournament’s Top 5 (All-Star 5) players and Ocean Brobbey (pictured below) receiving the MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy award for his outstanding contributions.

The team’s success means they finished third overall for the two stages of the competition, securing their place in the Super Final. Coach Lockhart said he was grateful to New City College for making the trip possible, emphasising how invaluable the experience was for the players.

He said: “Competing internationally against top-level teams has been an incredible opportunity for our students. This experience will only help them grow and improve as players.”

NCC Principal Janet Smith praised the team’s achievement, saying: “This is an excellent result for our basketball team. Qualifying for the final in Latvia is a fantastic accomplishment, and the individual awards reflect the hard work and talent within the squad. The players have been a real credit to the college, both on and off the court.”

With their sights now set on Latvia, the team is training hard to hopefully repeat their success in Europe. Everyone at NCC wishes them the best of luck in the next stage of their journey!

Are you looking to improve your basketball skills? Do you have a passion for football, boxing or athletics? Our Sport courses offer a range of pathways which give you the chance to study your chosen course whilst training and competing in your specialist sport. Apply today and secure your conditional offer!