London Lions Eye NBA Test as British Basketball Levels Up

British basketball is heading into a season with real momentum, bigger ambitions and a genuine sense of possibility. At the centre of it all are the London Lions, who are preparing for a landmark friendly against the Portland Trail Blazers while also trying to defend their status as the dominant force at home.

London Lions chase a bigger stage

The Lions enter the new Super League Basketball campaign with a rare level of confidence. Last season, they completed a domestic quadruple by winning the SLB Championship, Playoffs, Cup and Trophy, underlining their grip on the men’s game in Britain.

Now they are aiming even higher. On 12 October, London will become the first British side to play an NBA team when they face the Portland Trail Blazers in the United States, a moment that the club sees as part of a wider push to become one of the most recognisable names in world basketball.

Lions chief executive Lenz Balan said the opportunity is more than just a one-off showcase. I’ve wanted to be in the NBA since I was six years old. This is the closest I’ve ever been. He added that the club’s ambition is clear: to be among the best clubs in the world.

A domestic league growing fast

The new men’s SLB season begins on Friday, with London opening away to Bristol Flyers. It is the third season of the competition since the British Basketball League folded and the top flight was relaunched in 2024.

This year’s league has expanded from nine teams to 10 following the addition of Liverpool Basketball, a sign that the domestic structure is still evolving. Newcastle Eagles owner Paul Blake, who is also an SLB director, believes the overall standard has risen sharply.

I’ve been involved for 30 years now and it’s definitely the most competitive it’s been, pretty much in all those 30 years, Blake said. The quality of players that are now in the league across the teams top to bottom is, for me, pretty much the highest level it’s been.

That competitiveness is part of what gives the new season extra appeal. The Lions may be the benchmark, but the gap between clubs appears to be narrowing.

European tests add to the pressure

British clubs are also showing signs of progress beyond domestic competition. Manchester Basketball made history earlier this week by becoming the first British team to win a qualifying-round match in the Basketball Champions League, beating Germany’s Wurzburg Baskets.

Bristol Flyers will again feature in the European North Basketball League, while the Lions are back in the EuroCup for a second straight season. That matters, because the EuroCup is one of the toughest routes for a club looking to build credibility in continental basketball.

Last season, London finished eighth out of 10 in the competition, although they did beat eventual runners-up Besiktas Gain during the group stage. With new arrivals, including the loan signing of 2025-26 EuroLeague winner Keenan Evans, the club believes it can improve that record.

Balan said the summer recruitment has been aimed at raising the ceiling. We have ambitions to definitely outperform last year, he said. It’s going to be tough, but these are some of the best players in the world.

That mix of domestic dominance and European ambition gives the Lions a very different profile from most British teams. They are not only trying to win titles; they are trying to build a brand that travels.

Women’s league ready to build its own story

The growth story is not limited to the men’s game. SLBW, the women’s competition, begins on Saturday, 3 October, with Cardiff Met Archers hosting defending champions B Braun Sheffield Hatters in the opening match.

Cardiff coach Stef Collins, who played at the 2012 Olympics and won medals at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, believes the women’s league has a chance to connect with fans in a deeper way. At Cardiff, four players are salaried while studying for master’s degrees, while others balance basketball with full-time work or scholarship commitments.

I think there’s an opportunity to build something that people genuinely want to watch and follow, Collins said. Women’s basketball has shown what is possible internationally.

Visibility could be the next breakthrough

Collins pointed to the rapid rise of women’s basketball globally as proof that the right platform can unlock audience growth. She highlighted the 2025 WNBA clip boom on Instagram, which generated more than one billion views and made the league the most-followed women’s sports league on the platform.

Her point is clear: fans do not just want results, they want stories. Players who are students, professionals, internationals and role models can help shape a more compelling product for British audiences.

As Collins put it, We shouldn’t be afraid to market women’s basketball differently and allow our players to be themselves. That approach could be vital if SLBW is to build a stronger identity and wider reach in the months ahead.

Why this season matters

For British basketball, this is not just another opening weekend. It is a moment shaped by growth, ambition and proof points. The Lions’ NBA friendly will capture headlines, but the real story may be the wider rise in standards across the men’s and women’s game.

From European results to expanded leagues and stronger player pathways, the signs are encouraging. The challenge now is to turn that promise into lasting momentum.

If the Lions can maintain their domestic edge, improve in Europe and make history in Portland, they could help redefine what British basketball looks like on a bigger stage.