We Speak Men's British Basketball League

The serial winner: Josh Ward-Hibbert on Marc Steutel, the Newcastle Eagles and Nick Kyrgios

Published

5 months ago

November 26, 2023

Whatever he touches turns to gold, it would seem.

The Leicester Riders, the London Lions and the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles – that’s the extent of Josh Ward-Hibbert’s British Basketball League resume.

If you were going to pick three teams to play for in the last 10 years, could you ask for much better in terms of success?

In the Brit’s first season with the Eagles, after trophy-laden spells with Leicester and London, we sat down with JWH to discuss his new challenge and how he hopes to help Marc Steutel take Newcastle back to the top of the tree.

“My first conversation with Marc this summer was very positive,” Ward-Hibbert said.

“I’d heard nothing but good things about him from former teammates and coaches, and my experience with him in that first conversation and since has definitely lived up to that. He’s honest, direct and respectful and together we want to help him build something special here.

“I’ve been very fortunate to play for the biggest teams in this country, joining the most successful team in League history this summer after playing for two other great teams in London and Leicester, and I feel like I’ve earned those opportunities.

“I like to think I have a positive impact on each of the teams I’ve played for and there must be a reason some of the most successful clubs have wanted to have me as part of their rosters.”

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Building back better

If anybody stole the headlines this summer, it was the Eagles, who announced blockbuster signings one after the other on what felt like a daily basis – with Ward-Hibbert amongst those amazing acquisitions – after a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.

Some of the biggest stars in recent times of the British Basketball League flocked to Marc Steutel’s nest in Newcastle as the next generation of Eagles became comprised of the likes of Tajh Green, Larry Austin Jr., Jordan Johnson, Rickey McGill and more.

With all of that star power, though, has come some teething problems, as an all-star cast of talent has taken some time to come together, and Ward-Hibbert dissected the team’s progress so far.

“I don’t think people fully appreciate how difficult it is to bring an entirely new team together.” The 29-year-old said.

“Even with three or four changes to a roster there can be growing pains, but we’ve got a whole new roster, so it was always going to take time.

“Marc has had to build a culture and a style of play in no time at all, and we’ve had to learn how to play together in so many different situations for the first time, so with the level of competition there is in the league this year, it was always going to be a process.

“We’ve had a strong couple of weeks in terms of results, but there is so much room for us to improve. We’re only just scratching the surface of what we’re capable of. There’s a special group here and as the season goes on, we’re going to show that more and more, playing our best basketball come Playoff time.”

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One of Wimbledon’s finest

As well as being a bucket on the basketball court, Ward-Hibbert was an ace with a racquet in his hand, as the Nottingham native mixed it with some of the best in the world of tennis as a junior player.

Holding the record for the fastest serve at the Wimbledon Junior Championships from 2011 to 2023 – a huge 133mph – the Eagles star routinely traded winners with the likes of Nick Kyrgios, Dominic Theim and others as a youngster.

“I took both sports incredibly seriously, to be honest, and I could have pursued both of them professionally. Tennis was my first sport, and it wasn’t long afterwards that I started basketball, but I have a lot of love for both of them.

“Both have given me incredible life experiences and memories that I’ll cherish forever and there were a lot of transferrable skills between the two as well so my love for one of them definitely helped the other and vice-versa.

“As a junior I was playing against the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Theim, as well as some of the top British guys on the circuit, and I still keep in contact with a lot of those guys. I still play recreationally now when I get a chance, and have had a game with Will Neighbour – who also played tennis at county level – since we both came to Newcastle.”

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Star-studded entertainment lineup revealed for the 2024 British Basketball League Trophy Final Fours weekend

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James Allen

We Speak Men's British Basketball League

Star-studded entertainment lineup revealed for the 2024 British Basketball League Trophy Final Fours weekend

Published

5 months ago

November 26, 2023

James Allen

We are proud to announce an incredible entertainment lineup for the 2024 Trophy Final Fours Weekend, with the Men’s Trophy Semi-Finals taking place on Saturday, January 27, and the Men’s and Women’s Trophy Finals on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at the Utilita Arena Birmingham.

As the basketball world converges on Birmingham for this coveted and highly anticipated event, the League is committed to delivering an unforgettable experience.

A star-studded lineup

Blending the excitement of top-tier basketball with outstanding live acts, fans will be treated to musical halftime performances from Birmingham’s very own Lady Leshurr and Jaykae on the Sunday.

Additionally, the entertainment lineup boasts a dance performance by the internationally acclaimed Flawless Dance Group following the Women’s Final, the gravity-defying acrobatics of Les Barjots Dunkers at halftime during Saturday’s first Semi-Final, and a halftime showcase performance from AshOnCam during Saturday’s second Semi-Final.

This array of talent is sure to delight fans with an extraordinary fusion of sporting excellence and artistic brilliance throughout the event.

Women’s Final Halftime Show: Jaykae Takes to the Court

Birmingham-born and bred, the acclaimed grime artist Jaykae will grace the stage during the halftime show of the Women’s Betty Codona Trophy Final. Celebrated for his lyrical prowess, Jaykae’s hits collection includes the singles Every Country, Moscow and Toothache.

He has collaborated with some of the UK’s biggest artists, including Ed Sheeran and Skepta, and has supported the likes of Stormzy and performed on stage with Drake. His appearance at the Women’s Finals promises to add a local touch to the event as he proudly represents his hometown.

Flawlessly Warming Up the Court for the Men’s Final

Following the Women’s Trophy Final, the stage will be set for an incredible dance performance by the internationally renowned group, Flawless. Renowned for their impeccable synchronisation and innovative choreography, the Britain’s Got Talent Finalists are set to charge up the audience in anticipation of the Men’s Final.

Men’s Final Halftime Show: Lady Leshurr Takes Centre Stage

MOBO Award winner, Lady Leshurr, will headline the halftime show during the Men’s Trophy Final. Since breaking onto the scene in 2015 with her Queen Speech freestyle series, Lady Leshurr has hit the big-time musically, and has been a regular on our TV screens too.

Beyond her hit records and collaborations with the likes of Will.i.am an Nicki Minaj, the rap star reached the Dancing on Ice Semi-Finals and is also the new host of MTV’s Pimp My Ride.

On performing at Birmingham’s biggest halftime show in January, Lady Leshurr said: “I was here as a fan at last year’s Final and it was an incredible day of basketball. I’m super excited to perform in front of a sell-out crowd at the Utilita Arena Birmingham. Any time you get to perform in an event this big is amazing and given it taking place in Birmingham makes it extra special for me.”

Taking to the court to perform in front of his hometown, Jaykae said: I’m honoured to be one of the acts performing in such a prestigious event like the Trophy Final in a city that means a lot to me. The competition is always fiercely contested and I’m looking forward to seeing who wins the first bragging rights of the season.”

Tickets and Event Information

The 2024 British Basketball League Trophy Final Fours Weekend promises an exciting mix of basketball excellence and a feast of entertainment. Saturday will showcase two Men’s Semi-Finals games, where four teams battle it out on the court to reach Sunday’s Final. Fans attending on Sunday will be treated to a double-header, with the Women’s Final and Men’s Final both taking place that day.

From Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 November, there is 30% off for Black Friday, with tickets starting from £17.50. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early to be part of this spectacular celebration of basketball and music.