Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets
League	EBL Division 1
Established	1997
History	Reading Rockets (1997–present)
Arena	Rivermead Leisure Complex (Capacity: 650)[1]
Location	Reading, Berkshire
Team colours	Black, White, Red
Head coach	Manuel Pena Garces
Ownership	Gary Johnson
Website	reading-rockets.com
Uniforms
Home Away

Reading Rockets is a basketball club based in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. Currently, Reading Rockets play in the English Basketball League Division 1.

The club has squads ranging from developing Under-12s to the Division 1 senior men's side, and coaching staff regularly visit local schools and run satellite clubs as part of the Community Rockets scheme.^[2] The club applied to join the British Basketball League as a member franchise for the 2012–13 season but was unsuccessful.^[3]

History

Establishment

The Reading Rockets were formed in 1997^[4] by the current owner Gary Johnson and played in Division 3 of the then NBL. They won promotion at the first attempt, and in the reorganisation of 2000 the National Basketball League replaced Division 1 with the eight-team NBL Conference as the second-tier after the BBL. Subsequently Division 2 became Division 1 where the Rockets found themselves.

The Rockets remained in Division 1 for just one season, finishing second, and beating Oxford in the Championship Final, thus winning promotion to the NBL Conference after four years in the league. In the 2001/02 season they finished seventh in the NBL Conference. In the following season, the Rockets continued their rise, finishing in third place within the NBL Conference.

In 2003, the National Basketball League was rebranded as the English Basketball League, and once again was restructured with a new format, with Rockets finishing in second place in the new EBL Division 1. In the following season they finished third and have been League runners-up to Worthing Thunder in both the 2005/06 & 2006/07 seasons. In 2006/07 the team were sponsored by the Atlantis Group and became known as the Atlantis Reading Rockets.

2007/08 season

In 2008 they came close to winning the League title, beating Manchester Magic in the final game of the season, to draw level at the top, but losing out to on points difference in the head-to-head. Rockets are back-to-back National Trophy winners beating Worthing Thunder in the final in Manchester (84–68).^[5] Rockets win their final match of the season but were not able to win by the seven-point margin required to give them the illusive League Championship title. Adam Kelly make his last ever home appearance for Rockets.^[6] Danny Carter also enjoyed his last home game before a stint in an American College basketball.^[7] Rockets were edged out by Manchester Magic who won the Play-off Championship Final at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Following the game Head Coach David Titmuss presented Adam Kelly with the match ball as a mark of respect and gratitude for his contribution to the club. Assistant coach Matt Johnson was full of praise for the departing captain: "Adam epitomises everything about the Rockets ethos. He is a dedicated individual who has shown an unbelievable amount of commitment over the last 10 years. This season has been one of his best and he will be impossible to replace".^[8]

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• English Players of the Year (Under 18 Men) – Daniel McKay. London-born Daniel McKay has quickly risen up the ranks for both England and his national league club, the Reading Rockets. As a Reading Rocket, McKay has rightfully earned his place in the men’s first division team where he has been a key component to Dave Titmuss’ Trophy winning side.

2008/09 season

Reading Rockets re-wrote the history books during 2008/09 with a perfect season as they won 36 straight games to retain the National Trophy and win Division One, the playoffs and the National Cup.^[9] The only team to come close in modern years were the Sheffield Arrows team of 2004/05, who missed out on the quadruple when they lost the National Cup final by a single point against Rockets, though they did lose one of their 22 league games.^[10] Dave Titmuss resigned from the club before the start of the 2009/10 season.

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• Tin-Tin Watts was voted as the league's top player in 2008/09. Tin-Tin’ proved to be one of the most versatile and athletic players in the EBL this season, averaging over 18 points per game including an impressive 45% shooting average from behind the arc.
• Dave Titmuss was selected as the Coach of the Year for the season. Coach Dave Titmuss was the ringleader for this season’s only perfect senior EBL team.

2009/10 season

Dave Titmuss quit the Rockets to take over as head coach at Worthing Thunder in June 2009, insisting that the prospect of coaching in the country's top-flight league once again was too hard to turn down.^[11] Rockets also were without the services of several players from the previous season, EBL Player of the Year Tin Tin Watts left to join Manchester Magic, Richard Wellings left to join London United whilst Walid Mumuni joined the new BBL team of Essex Pirates. Rockets had expected Tyrell Smith to return for the season but issues with his work permit prevented this happening.

Rockets secured the services of a new coach, Sasa Punosevac, the Serbian had spent four years coaching in Ireland's SuperLeague while he also spent a season with the Ireland women's national basketball team.^[12]

Rockets strange start to the season continued with the arrival, and departure of American Banks Estridge. Signed as a replacement for Tyrell Smith, the American trained with the squad on Monday, but two days later told the club he was returning home.^[13]

Over the winter period more turmoil for the Rockets when the cash-hit club were forced to dispense with the services of head coach Sasa Punosevac after just four months in charge. Chairman Gary Johnson expressed his gratitude to Punosevac for the positive impact he made in his short spell at the club.^[14][15] Assistant coach Matt Johnson, one of the most qualified coaches in the country, was to take over for the rest of the season.

Rockets crashed out of the National Cup, the Trophy (which they had won for the previous three years) and finished the league season in 7th place. Securing a play-off place against old rivals Manchester Magic.

During the season Rockets achievements, from last year were recognised, At the 2009 Reading Sports Personality of the Year awards the male team of the year award went to Reading Rockets who won every single game last season and as a result collected four national trophies. In addition the International Sports Personality of the Year was presented to Reading Rockets American Ryan Lohfink.^[16]

2010/11 season

Rockets appoint Samit Nuruzade as the club's new head coach.^[17][18] Nuruzade was born and educated in Azerbaijan but has been playing and coaching in the UK for 10 years. His principal involvement has been with youth programmes and player development at England's biggest club, Greater Manchester Youth.

Rockets crashed out of the National Cup at the 3rd round stage to EBL Division 2 high-fliers London United at Harfield Academy.^[19] This was Reading's first National Cup tie of the season, having received a bye in the previous two rounds, the latter being at the expense of Portsmouth City Smugglers, who could not raise a team.

Rockets' run of success in the National Trophy continued as they win the competition, for the fourth time in five years, beating Leeds Carnegie in the final held in Manchester. Rockets repeated their National Trophy final victory against Leeds Carnegie to collect their second playoff title in three years.^[20]

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• Niko Scott was selected as Division 1 Men's Player of the Year.^[21] In his first EBL season, American guard Scott averaged an EBL third-best 20.7 points per game (on 46% shooting) while helping Rockets win the 2011 Men's National Trophy and Division 1 playoff final.
• Samit Nuruzade was chosen as the Division 1 Men's Coach of the Year.^[22]

2011/12 season

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• Rebecca Lear was selected as Division 2 Women(Midlands-South West)player of the year
• Matthew Johnson won the award for Division 4 Men(South) Coach of the year

2012/13 season

The season as a whole was very up and down with lots of personnel changes and injuries. The Rockets won their first 16 league games even though at times they were short of players. Down to eight guys at times carrying the team through. Rockets' run of success in the National Trophy and the National Cup did not materialise during the season. Leaving the National Cup at the semi final stage having lost away to Bristol Academy Flyers. Whilst failing to qualify for the quarter finals of the National Trophy. This left the Rockets' able to concentrate on securing the VCARS.co.uk EBL Division One title.

Rockets were crowned VCARS.co.uk EBL Division One Champions (22–4). The Rockets secured the league title to win only their second Division One title in their history. Having defeated Leicester in the quarter-finals of the Post Season competition the Rockets headed to their seventh Division 1 Men's Playoff Final after they defeated Essex Leopards in overtime 75–70. The result of the other semi-final resulted in the old rivals Worthing Thunder emerging as the Rockets opponents. Worthing Thunder were the hottest VCARS.co.uk D1 Men's team heading into the postseason, having pulled themselves out of a relegation place into the Playoffs with eleven straight wins. The Rockets overwhelmed the Final Four favourite Worthing Thunder by 31 points with a magnificent team performance to win 88–57. Thunder were outplayed by Rockets in every department. Lewis Champion picked up the Most Valued Player award and Luke Nelson signed off his Rockets career by scoring 21 points.

Ryan Lohfink left the club after 5 seasons to take up a University of Salford Scholarship to study for a Masters degree in International Business. Ryan will be playing for the newly promoted Manchester Magic team during the 2013/14 season.

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• Luke Nelson was selected as the youngest ever player to pick up the English Basketball League Division One player of the year. Luke played two seasons with the Rockets, both Under 18 and Senior Mens, and he has earned a full scholarship with University of California Irvine in America starting in September.
• Becky Lear, Rockets' leading scorer, become Div. 2 (Midlands South East) Player of the Year for the second year running.
• Samit Nuruzade awarded Coach of the Year for Division 1 Men by Eurobasket.com
• Director of Coaching, Matt Johnson, won the Coach of the Year Award at the inaugural Berkshire Inspiration and Participation awards.

2013/14 season

Rockets appoint Manuel Pena Garces as Head Coach following the departure of Samit Nuruzade after three successful years of involvement at the end of the 2012/13 season.^[23] During his time at the club, Nuruzade led Rockets to a National Trophy victory and two end-of-season play-off championships. Amongst the highlights, though, was doing the double last season, winning the VCars.co.uk Division One title and play-offs.

Reading Rockets won their first National Cup since 2009 and their third overall as they defeated Newham Neptunes 93-72 at the University of Worcester Arena. Rockets poured in 35 first quarter points (to Neptunes’ 21) and maintained control from then on to seal one of the only titles that evaded them last season. Spaniard Gabriel Diaz-Morera captured MVP honours for his 29 point, 12 rebound performance. He added 4 assists, 2 steals and went 3/5 from outside the arc.

In February Reading Rockets added their second major title of the season after they defeated Manchester Magic 88-71 to win the 2014 Men's National Trophy final. Gabriel Diaz-Morera added another MVP trophy for Reading as well, as the Spanish guard reeled off 25 points (60% shooting) and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes.

In March the Senior Ladies Team won the EBL Div 2 (Midlands South West) League and progressed to the semi finals of the play-offs for the first time in the clubs history.

The Rockets secured the EBL Div 1 (Mens) league title to win the first back-to-back Division One titles in the club's history.

In the final game of the season Rockets were edged out in the Play-off final by Leeds Carnegie 65-71. Nonetheless this has been a magnificent season for Rockets who’ve won the treble but just couldn’t secure the quadruple to emulate the team from 2008/09.

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• Josh Wilcher was selected as the English Basketball League Division One player of the year with an average of 21.3 points per game. Including season high of 34 points against Medway Park Crusaders, in April, and Manchester Magic in March. Josh left the Rockets at the end of the season to play in the fully professional BBL (British Basketball League)with PLymouth Raiders.
• Catherine Lutz, become Div. 2 (Midlands South East) Player of the Year. A senior Rockets player winning this award for the third year running. The British/American guard joined Reading's Ladies team at the start of this season and averaged 26.9 points per game in her first season in the UK. Including a season high of 53 points against Bristol Storm in December.

2014/15 season

Rockets' were unable to repeat their previous successes in the National Trophy and the National Cup during the season. Finishing as runners-up in the National Cup having lost to Manchester Magic in the final at EIS Sheffield. Whilst failing to qualify for the quarter finals of the National Trophy.

The Rockets secured 6th place in NBL Div 1 (Mens) league but were eliminated from the play-offs at the quarter final stage losing 63-61 to Kent Crusaders.

2015/16 season

Honours for Rockets' players & staff

• Catherine Lutz, was voted NBL Women South West player of the year.

• Josh Thorne was voted as NBL Women South West coach of the year.

Home arenas

Rivermead Leisure Complex (1997–present)

Season-by-season records

Season	Division	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Points	Play-offs	National Trophy	National Cup
Reading Rockets Senior Men
2015–2016	NBL Div1	3rd	26	19	7	36	Runners-up	Runners-up	Quarter-finals
2014–2015	NBL Div1	6th	24	15	9	30	Quarter-finals	DNQ	Runners-up
2013–2014	EBL Div1	1st	26	22	4	44	Runners-up	Winners	Winners
2012–2013	EBL Div1	1st	26	22	4	44	Winners	DNQ	Semi-finals
2011–2012	EBL Div1	7th	24	14	10	28	Quarter-finals	Semi-finals	Semi-finals
2010–2011	EBL Div1	3rd	18	12	6	24	Winners	Winners	3rd Round
2009–2010	EBL Div1	7th	22	12	10	24	Quarter-finals	Semi-finals	Quarter-finals
2008–2009	EBL Div1	1st	18	18	0	36	Winners	Winners	Winners
2007–2008	EBL Div1	2nd	18	16	2	32	Runners-up	Winners	Semi-finals
2006–2007	EBL Div1	2nd	22	19	3	38	Semi-finals	Winners	Semi-finals
2005–2006	EBL Div1	2nd	26	22	4	44	Winners	Semi-finals	Runners-up
2004–2005	EBL Div1	3rd	22	16	6	32	Runners-up	DNQ	Winners
2003–2004	EBL Div1	2nd	22	17	5	34	Semi-finals	DNQ	Quarter-finals
2002–2003	NBL Conf	3rd	22	16	6	32	Runners-up	Quarter-finals
2001–2002	NBL Conf	7th	18	7	11	14	Quarter-finals	DNQ
2000–2001	NBL Div1	2nd	18	14	4	28	Winners	DNQ
1999–2000	NBL Div2	5th	24	17	7	34	Semi-finals	DNQ
1998–1999	NBL Div2	4th	24	17	7	34	Quarter-finals	DNQ
1997–1998	NBL Div3	3rd	26	12	14	24	Quarter-finals	DNQ

Season	Division	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Points	Play-offs	National Trophy	National Cup
Reading Rockets Senior Women
2015–2016	South West	1st	16	15	1	28	Runners-up		Runners-up
2014–2015	Midlands South West	3rd	14	11	3	22	Quarter-finals	Semi Finals	2nd Round
2013–2014	EBL Div2 (Women Midlands South East)	1st	14	13	1	26	Semi-finals	Semi-finals	2nd Round
2012–2013	EBL Div2 (Women Midlands South East)	2nd	16	12	4	24	Quarter-finals	Quarter-finals	2nd Round
2011–2012	EBL Div2 (Women Midlands South West)	2nd	12	9	3	18	Quarter-finals	Semi-finals	1st Round
2010–2011	EBL Div2 (Women Midlands South West)	5th	14	5	9	10	DNQ	1st Round	1st Round
2009–2010
2008–2009
2007–2008
2006–2007	EBL Div2 (Women South)	6th	20	9	11	18
2005–2006	EBL Div2 (Women South)	2nd	21	14	7	28

• DNQ denotes Did Not Qualify.

Trophies

League

• EBL Division 1 Winners: 2008/2009, 2012/13, 2013/14 3
• EBL Division 1 Runners Up: 2005/06, 2006/07 & 2007/08 3
• EBL Division 2 (Women) Winners: 2013/14 1
• EBL Division 2 (Women) Runners Up: 2005/06, 2011/12 & 2012/13 3
• NBL Womens League (South West) Winners: 2015/16 1

Playoffs

• EBL Division 1 Play Off Champions: 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11 & 2012/13 4

Trophy

• National Trophy Winners: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11 & 2013/14 5

Cup

• National Cup Winners: 2004/05, 2008/09 & 2013/14 3

Players

Current rosters

The following information is established according to the official websites of the team (www.reading-rockets.com)

Reading Rockets roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age PG 4 Glass, Fraser 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 24 – 28 February 1992 F 5 Yeboah, Wayne 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 25 – 1 February 1991 F 6 Keeble, Joel 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 190 lb (86 kg) 22 – 18 March 1994 7 G 8 Nicholls, Jordan 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 21 – 27 August 1994 F 9 Gomez Enterria, Fidel 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 202 lb (92 kg) 17 – 3 May 1999 PG 10 Robinson, Antonio 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 175 lb (79 kg) 23 – 31 January 1993 G 11 Sbai, Ali 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 18 – 9 November 1997 F 12 Ajumobi, David 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 27 – 20 November 1988 F 13 Carter, Danny (C) 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 231 lb (105 kg) 27 – 30 September 1988 SF 15 Edwards, D'Montre 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 205 lb (93 kg) 24 – 20 April 1992 Bikram-Rana, Ganesh 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) Jassey Demba, Ebrima 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 18 – 31 January 1998	Head coach Manuel Pena Garces Assistant coach(es) Blai Vilagrasa Team manager Sam Johnson Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 2016-01-01

Reading Rockets Ladies roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. 4 Mendiola, Maitena 5 Carnbring, Olivia F 6 Johnson, Steph  (C) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) 7 Garcia Ribera, Maria G 8 Lutz, Catherine 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) G 9 di-Stefano, Chiara F 10 Szmidt, Rhiane 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) 11 Garcia, Silvia F 12 Stollery, Alex 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 13 Harrington, Ellie C 14 Delow, Maike F 15 De Benavides, Carla  1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)	Head coach Josh Thorne Assistant coach(es) Patrick Fasbender Team manager Steph Johnson Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 2015-11-08

Head coaches

Name	From	To	Regular Season		Play-offs		Notes
			W	L	W	L
Dave Titmuss	2005/06	2008/09	75	9	9	2	National Trophy Winners (3) EBL Division 1 Play-off Champions (2) National Cup Winners (1) EBL Division 1 Winners (1)
Sasa Punosevac	2009/10	2009/10	3	3	–	–
Matt Johnson	2009/10	2009/10	9	7	–	1
Samit Nuruzade	2010/11	2012/13	48	20	6	1	National Trophy Winners (1) EBL Division 1 Play-off Champions (2) EBL Division 1 Winners (1)
Manuel Pena Garces	2013/14	To date	56	20	4	2	National Cup Winners (1) National Trophy Winners (1) EBL Division 1 Winners (1)

Notable former players

• James Cook
• Lloyd Gardner
• E.J. Harrison
• Nicholas Hoult, Hollywood actor^[24]
• Steve Humphreys
• Adam Kelly
• Errol Seamen
• Ted Smith
• Tyrell Smith
• David Watts
• Louis Sayers
• Niko Scott
• Ryan Lohfink^[25]
• Luke Nelson
• Robbie Parker
• Lewis Champion

See also

• Basketball in England

References

1. "Reading Rockets fail in bid to go up a league because of Rivermead seating". Reading GetReading. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
2. "History of Reading Rockets Basketball Club". Reading Rockets. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
3. "Reading Rockets apply to join British Basketball League". getReading. 2012. Retrieved 30 February 2012. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
4. "Company details". UK Data. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
5. "Reading Rockets 84 Worthing Thunder 68". Worthing Herald. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
6. "Captain marvellous calls time out after 10 glorious seasons". getsurrey. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
7. "Overseas dates for Carter and McKay". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
8. "Captain marvellous calls time out after 10 glorious seasons". getsurrey. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
9. "Reading Rockets Speak About Future". England Basketball. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
10. "Going for Glory – Unbeaten Reading Rockets". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
11. "Dave Titmuss quits Reading Rockets for rivals". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
12. "Rockets announce their new Head Coach". Reading Rockets. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
13. "Reading Rockets' new American signing goes back home". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
14. "Reading Rockets release coach Sasa Punosevac". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
15. "Breaking NEWS – Coach Punosevac leaves". Reading Rockets. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
16. "2009 Reading Sports Personality of the Year awards". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
17. "Reading Rockets appoint new coach Samit Nuruzade". BBC News. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
18. "English basketball club appoints Azerbaijani coach". News.Az. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
19. "Thrilling National Cup tie – London United 99 v Reading Rockets 96". Reading Rockets. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
20. "Reading Rockets beat Leeds Carnegie in EBL play-offs". BBC News. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
21. "Eurobasket.com's EBL awards 2011". England Basketball. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
22. "EBL senior Players, Coaches of the Year". England Basketball. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
23. "Head coach Nuruzade leaves Reading Rockets". Reading Chronicle. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
24. "Reading Rockets fail in bid to go up a league because of Rivermead seating". Reading GetReading. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
25. "Ryan Lohfink Leaves Rockets after 5 years". 25 May 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Basketball news at Reading Post