The UK Basketball Hub

The NBA 2K League have unveiled their new logo. The logo incorporates the colour and shape of the NBA logo but uses the font from the NBA 2K franchise. The 17 teams in the league have also unveiled their logos. A basketball was selected as the centerpiece as "it represents the common thread between all NBA 2K players." The logos were designed by branding agency RARE Design of Hattiesburg.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was too hot to handle as he won the NBA 2K18 Celebrity Gaming Tournament Final. Courtois had beaten Crystal Palace stars Mamadou Sakho and Timothy Fosu-Mensah on the way to the final where he faced off with Arsenal defender Rob Holding. Holding himself had seen off Arsenal teammate Nacho Monreal and England rugby star Owen Farrell to reach the final. The Chelsea goalkeeper elected to play as the Golden State Warriors, with the Arsenal defender selecting the Cleveland Cavaliers, in a rematch of the last three years of NBA Finals. As in the previous rounds, NBA legend Gary Payton oversaw the contest.  After an incredibly hard-fought match, it was Courtois who was crowned the Champion of the NBA 2K18 Celebrity Gaming Tournament, as his Golden State Warriors team sealed a 39-22 victory over Rob Holding’s Cavaliers, with the Belgian awarded a special NBA2K18 Championship ring to commemorate his victory.   Following his w...

Chelsea goalkeeper  Thibaut Courtois  proved he was a safe pair of hands once again, as he beat Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace, on loan from Manchester United), in the second semi-final of the NBA 2K18 Celebrity Gaming Tournament! The Chelsea keeper, playing as the Boston Celtics, beat Fosu-Mensah's  San Antonio Spurs 39-23. It means he faces Arsenal defender Rob Holding in the final. Courtois discussed his passion for the NBA after the game: “ I don’t really have a team. I know a few players at the Lakers and at the Knicks, so I like to follow the players I really know well. I’m very excited to see Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in London for the NBA London Game 2018 for example, I think it will be a great game and hopefully they will win as well.” Fosu-Mensah then concluded by sharing his excitement for the NBA London Game 2018,  “I’ve always wanted to see an NBA game and the London Game is going to be my first one ever, so I’m really exci...

As the basketball world prepares for the start of the NBA season in late October, we look ahead to what fans across the world can expect from the 2015-2016 season. The anticipation has been steadily rising throughout the year, with a number of multimillion dollar free agent signings and a dramatic shift in coaching positions, it is a guarantee that teams will have a fresh new look in expectation of the new season. One of the major talking points of the 2015-2016 season is the return of Kevin Durant to the NBA. Having won the league’s MVP award, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s star had a disastrous season last year after being blighted with three foot injuries in six months. OKC were clearly missing their star player as they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since Durant’s second NBA season. So what are fans expecting from Durant as he makes his return? Many have taken to Twitter to predict the NBA awards for next season with Durant set to be crowned MVP once again, but wh...

Where it all began..... I had first been introduced to US sports when Channel 4 in the UK started showing American Football and I saw my first of 30 Super Bowls in January 1986 when the Chicago Bears blew out the New England Patriots (Patriots are a far cry from that team back then). Then I was channel surfing on a Saturday one night a few years later and came across Basketball on BBC 1. This wasn't the British League but a professional league in the United States. You have to remember this was a time when you didn't have the various means to keep up with sports like we can today so I wasn't even aware of such a league. The BBC showed a weekly programme from memory of the NBA Playoffs and I became hooked. I didn't pick a team to root for straight away but I began to really enjoy watching the likes of Magic (Johnson), (Larry) Bird and Michael (Jordan). There was something about MJ and it became a natural thing for me to root for the team he played for much like...

A statement by Basketball England has shocked the sport to it's core with the revelation that the current professional league the BBL could be stripped of that right as a review takes place. Basketball England said: " A licence review committee has been set up to consider all options including but not limited to a competitive tender process and negotiation with the existing licensee of the professional basketball league, with a view to renewing existing arrangements." Add onto the fact we've seen a MASSIVE drop in participation and we've got a bit of a crisis on our hands. It seems bad news and basketball go hand in hand recently with the funding removal (although kind of in a better place), men's Eurobasket qualification failure and now this! But what therefore are the options for Basketball England? Well to be frank they seem quite limited; while the NBA mentioned potentially setting up a European league while they were over here earlier i...

The Bucks are coming to The O2 Arena in top form away from their home court with an 11-10 record at the time of writing. In contrast they face a depleted Knicks team who could be without the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. This week The UK Basketball Hub caught up with Charles Gardner from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, here's what a regular follower and writer for the Bucks had to say. "The Bucks have been playing really well, surprisingly well given last season they had the worst record in the league! "They're a young team and this will be a fun event for them to play in London. "They use the full team, they don't have a superstar like Carmelo, but they really work as a team and they've bought into Coach Kidd's system and when everybody players, everyone is happy." The Bucks currently sit in the play-off positions in the Eastern Conference of the NBA, but what chance for them to stay there? He continued: ...

NBA poster for the game  The NBA is coming to town - it's Christmas come early (or late) as two of the franchises travel to The O2 Arena in London for the yearly global regular season clash. This year sees 2013 Global Games winners the New York Knicks face Jason Kidd's Milwaukee Bucks - the second year in a row Kidd will guide a team to London following his 2014 triumph with the Nets. At the start of the 2014/15 season you'd have been given a few confused looks if you said the Bucks will be certs to beat the Knicks, but it seems that way following a strong start to the season by the Bucks and a season of despair for the Knicks thus far. Last night (4th Jan) The Bucks picked up their fourth road win in a row at Madison Square Garden, as the Knicks picked up their 31st loss of the season. The Bucks are looking strong for a play-off spot with the team flying high in sixth in the East with the Knicks only just avoiding bottom spot ahead of the 76ers. The Knicks,...

Last night the New York Knicks faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks for the last time before their NBA Global Games London 2015 showdown on January 15 th . The Bucks ran out eventual 95-82 winners with point guard Brandon Knight top scoring for the visiting team with 17 points. Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds and said of the upcoming game in London:  “This will be the first time I will travel outside of America to play with my NBA team so it is very exciting for me.  Credit: NBA/Getty "We have many fans outside of America, especially in Europe, and it will be nice to play in front of them.” Antetokounmpo, who was picked 15 th  in the 2013 NBA Draft, also spoke about his plans for London:  “For sure I will visit the city and the main sites.  "We have five or so days on the ground so it will be nice to visit things and experience places I have never been before.  "I am sure we will find the tim...

It was a disappointing start to the 2014/15 season for the New York Knicks as they suffered a 104-80 defeat to the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks will be playing at The O2 Arena in London in January as part of the 2015 NBA Global Games. Tim Hardaway Jr has never been to London and is looking forward to the challenge as the Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks. He said: " When I was a kid, London Bridge is falling down, that's all I used to hear about London. I know that there are some great tourist attractions you see them all in the movies all the time. "You see it on computers and pictures that people post, and my friends going there to visit. I just can't wait to be a part of that. "The New York Knicks posted a picture of Amar'e Stoudemire with his hands held high and it said 'The Knicks are returning to London in 2014 -15'.  "I was very ecstatic, I was happy, excited, all at the same time. I couldn't wait to be a part of it." ...

The New York Knicks had an indifferent season in 2013/14 with the team failing to reach the play-offs. However the re-signing of Carmelo Anthony gave the team an off-season boost as they look to bounce back from what they must regard as a disappointing campaign. The Knicks face the Milwaukee Bucks at The O2 Arena in January as part of the NBA Global Games and ahead of tickets going on sale on October 31st, Amar'e Stoudemire spoke to the media. Stoudemire was in confident mood as he spoke of the positivity around the Knicks camp, with the new NBA season starting today. He said: "I'm truly blessed to play this game at the highest level, my goal is to improve as a player and reach my full potential, it's been my goal since I was 19 years old and i'm still striving to achieve that." "We're focusing on becoming a better basketball team and everything is going well." "There's a sign of respect there [with new ...

The highly anticipated release of NBA 2K15 is almost upon us with the game being officially launched at an event in London later this week by  RWD Mag . The game – which launches on next-gen consoles Xbox One and Playstation 4 as well Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Microsoft Windows formats – sees Kevin Durant take the cover. The music you hear is produced by Pharrell Williams with the ‘Happy’ singer creating the soundtrack including his own songs Hunter, Can I have it like that (feat Gwen Stefani) and How does it feel?. You can win tickets to the event by contacting RWD with information on how to available  here . It’s the must have game for all basketball fans with the new MYLeague mode! We will certainly be hoping to give it a go at the event this Thursday.

Portland Trailblazers' forward Joel Freeland has committed to the Great Britain national team and is hoping to make a return to international duty sooner rather than later. Freeland held a conference call with various members of the British basketball media in the midst of a reasonably successful start to the season for him personally. He said: "I'm always committed to helping the national squad, I only took time off last season for personal reasons, from here on out I'm fully committed, I just hope I can continue as I am at the moment to be involved with the team." "Last year I struggled a lot as I thought I had to play in the same way I played in Europe but this league is completely different, I took the summer and realised who I was in this league and who I wanted to be.' ​'There is always going to be a responsibility to promote British basketball, during the summer I am interested in promoting the game, people have been tryin...

Just a trial run! We bring you the latest British basketball news - hopefully coming to podcast! Have a listen and let us know what you think!

Kendal Johnson is an American who wants to play in England in a busy week where he is likely to find out where he will be playing and when. Johnson is the cousin of NBA star Marcus Camby and is looking to be a player/coach in the British Basketball League or English Basketball League. He admits he doesn't know too much about the current state of British basketball but has heard good things. He said: 'I've always wanted to go to England but I don't know a lot about the basketball league, I have a friend at the Worcester Wolves and he has told me there is lot's of positives.' 'I've played basketball since I was little obviously having Marcus Camby as a cousin I was always in that sort of environment.' Johnson revealed he had been in talks with various BBL and EBL clubs and is hoping a move can be agreed in the coming days. He also thinks that it is important to get young people involved in sport. He added: 'One thing I would like to ...

Luol Deng, Joel Freeland, Ben Gordon* and Byron Mullens* were in action as the NBA resumed last night following the All Star Break. Deng was the top scorer as Chicago Bulls beat the New Orleans Hornets 96-87 with 20 points. Deng was impressive as the Bulls in fifth in the Eastern Conference. Joel Freeland didn't participate for the Portland Trailblazers who lost 102-98 at the Pheonix Suns - leaving them ninth in the West. Byron Mullens started and Ben Gordon came on for the Charlotte Bobcats who managed a surprise win over Orlando Magic. Mullens scored an impressive 20 points and got 12 rebounds for a double-double while Gordon managed a solid 10 points. The Bobcats remain at the foot of the East. *Gordon and Mullens haven't made their GB debuts but are eligible to play for GB in future tournaments. Deng and Freeland both represented Team GB at London 2012.  

This weeks "Ballin' Song of the Week' is All Eyez on Me by Tupac following the NBA All Star game which everybody was watching!

Orlando where Deng made his All Star debut. Team GB International Basketballer Luol Deng is set for his second appearance as a reserve at the 2013 NBA All Star Game. Deng made on assist from the bench in 2012 and will be looking to get involved more this year after his East side lost 152-149 to the West. The 27-year-old forward has had a good season so far averaging 16.7 points per game for the Chicago Bulls as they lay fifth in the Eastern Conference. Deng leads the Bulls in terms of total rebounds this season and has the best rebound percentage also. The NBA All Star game is available to fans in the UK on Sky Sports 2 from 1am or you can order a special NBA League Pass for the game.

The first song on Valentines Day is from the film Love and Basketball (2000). It is the song Complete Beloved by The Black-Eyed Peas and Les Nubians.