New City College developing sporting champions in partnership with London Lions Foundation

New City College student Remy Udeh has been described as a ‘young talent with a promising future’ after being called up to play basketball for the highly-regarded London Lions.

Remy, who is studying Electrical Installation at the Hackney campus, is now part of the NCC Basketball Development Programme created in partnership with the London Lions Foundation and which runs alongside his electrical course.

The 18-year-old’s talent was spotted by NCC Basketball Director and former London Lions player, Andre Lockhart, and his call up to the Lions – the British Basketball League 2023-24 champions – means Remy has taken a big step towards a future in professional basketball.

Remy said: “My call up and transition into the men’s programme has been a great experience. It has challenged me and taught me a lot within a short amount of time.

“Playing with and being around such talented and knowledgeable guys has shown me what it takes to play basketball at a professional level, which has given me a good insight into what my career could possibly look like.

“My ambition for the future is to compete at a high level of professional basketball and hopefully have a career full of successful championships.”

This opportunity that Remy has been given will show younger players that through NCC’s London Lions Foundation Academy pathway, there are possibilities to play at a young age at pro level, but more importantly it will enable young players to understand that they can grow and learn locally through basketball.

This season the players travelled to the Czech Republic to compete in the European Youth Basketball League (EYBL).

Remy follows in the footsteps of other high profile basketball players who have been spotted through the NCC and London Lions partnership.

Former students Josiah Asantewa-Philip and Suhayb Choaibi are currently in the USA after being offered a scholarship to play basketball at a college in Louisiana.

And the great Darius Defoe and Taiwo Badmus both started their prolific basketball careers at Hackney. Darius is the most decorated and successful player in the history of the British Basketball League (BBL) with 27 trophies. He started playing the sport seriously when he joined the Basketball Academy while a student at Hackney.

Taiwo also started playing basketball under the academy coaches at Hackney campus. He went to America after being awarded a scholarship to play at Fairmont State. He now plays professionally in Spain and competes in international matches for the Ireland Senior Men’s team.

Shaun Clifford, New City College Group Curriculum Director for Sport, said: “New City College is extremely proud to be working with the London Lions to engage, educate and inspire our young people.  The New City College and London Lions Education and Basketball Development Programme gives students an outstanding education, and affords them excellent opportunities in basketball, and the wider sports sector.

“As well as having a strong focus on player development, we give equal attention to preparing students for a career off-court, as the next generation of coaches, strength and conditioning staff, physios, nutritionists, and analysts.  The aim of the programme is not only to develop exceptional players and sports professionals; but to develop exceptional young people, who are well equipped to be successful, whatever path they choose in the future.

“The partnership between New City College and The London Lions gives players such as Remy a fantastic opportunity to access the highest standards of basketball coaching, while also continuing their education.  It’s wonderful to see Remy’s progress and success; he has a promising career ahead of him.”

London Lions Head Coach Petar Bozic said: “Remy is a young player of considerable potential. I have observed him in action during training and when he played in a game for our NCC Academy where he showcased his abilities. While there is a lot of work ahead of him, we are pleased to give him the chance to join our men’s team.”

And Brett Burman, London Lions General Manager, added: “Our objective in welcoming him into the men’s programme was to accelerate his development by exposing him to our high-level professionals and coaching staff. Our commitment at the London Lions is to provide young athletes like Remy with the opportunity to excel and compete at the highest domestic level.”

For more information on London Lions partnership with New City College please contact Andre Lockhart – andre.lockhart@ncclondon.ac.uk or alockhart@thelondonlions.com