The future of basketball across Teesside continues to gather momentum as Teesside Lions prepare for an ambitious and expansive 2026-27 campaign, despite enduring one of the most challenging seasons in recent club history.

While results for the club’s NBL Men’s side did not meet expectations during the 2025-26 season, the reality behind the campaign tells a far deeper story. A youthful and undersized squad, missing the impact of a key overseas player throughout the year, nevertheless remained highly competitive in the majority of fixtures, with many defeats coming by single digit margins against more experienced opposition.

Behind the scenes, however, the club has already been laying foundations for a vastly different future.

Working closely alongside Teesside University, the Lions have spent significant time developing a sustainable pathway to attract elite international talent into the region through the university programme. Club Director James Thomson believes the long-term vision is about far more than short-term recruitment success.

“We are keen to have an overseas player that is genuinely based in this area and supporting the development of our community,” Thomson explained.

“For a huge organisation such as Teesside University, these processes are not something that happen overnight. Unfortunately, by the time contracts were completed last season, the timeline simply became too late to secure the player we wanted.

“This year will be significantly different. We are already in advanced negotiations with multiple elite athletes from both the UK and overseas, and we are extremely excited about the direction things are moving.”

The growing reputation of the university basketball programme has also created unprecedented demand from prospective student-athletes. Such is the growth, the programme will expand to include a second university team next season, further strengthening the pathway between education and performance basketball in the region.

The addition of Benas Maldutis and AJ Harris, who are also members of the national league squad for Lions helped Teesside University enjoy an unbeaten season. Team of the year, athlete of the year for Maldutis and also coach of the year for James Thomson were highlights for the university sports awards.

The ambitions of the club are equally evident throughout its junior structure.

The Lions junior programme continues to expand rapidly, with one of the standout success stories being the introduction of two Under-14 National League teams last season. Particularly impressive was the performance of the first-year Under-14 side, who secured a highly credible fourth-place finish despite competing largely against teams featuring players a full year older.

Female basketball development also remains a cornerstone of the club’s long-term strategy.

The programme, led for many years by James Thomson, has now transitioned into the hands of an emerging coaching group as the club continues its emphasis on succession planning and grassroots growth. Benas Maldutis and Liam Shepherd have both played important supporting roles in player development, while Jordan Jackson is being fast-tracked into a lead coaching position as part of the club’s wider development strategy.

At senior women’s level, Richy Keirl has overseen a hugely encouraging year of progress, with squad numbers continuing to grow alongside improved performances and results on the court.

As with many aspects of the Lions’ long-term vision, patience remains central to the strategy.

“The future is looking very bright for female basketball,” Thomson added. “Our focus has always been on sustainable development and building properly for the future rather than chasing quick fixes.”

One of the brightest stars has been U18 forward Jaydon Wise-Malcolm. An U18 Great Britain call-up prior to this season's campaign provided fuel for the emergence of dominant young player competing way beyond his years. Most impressive was his impact for the men in NBL1. Scoring, dunking, defending at this level against the physicality of the league was an eye opener for many around the basketball world. Jaydon will move on this year to new challenges overseas but will remain as a shining beacon of what can be at the club for every young player following in his footsteps.

Despite the excitement and optimism surrounding the future, the past year has also delivered enormous challenges off the court.

The club suffered major disruption following the loss of the Acorn facility after rental costs almost doubled, making continued use financially unviable. The fallout created a difficult six-month period in which multiple National League teams lost access to secondary weekly training sessions, significantly impacting development programmes throughout the club.

With almost 600 games taking place annually across the Lions structure, finding suitable alternative facilities proved exceptionally difficult and placed major strain on schedules, budgets, coaches and volunteers alike.

Thomson was candid about the emotional and operational toll the situation created.

“The Acorn situation was met with phenomenal public and political support, but nevertheless the solution was a long time coming, and still not ideal with exam disruptions in new venues adding to the recent woe,” he said.

“It is a sad state of affairs in our country that sports are unable to access enough suitable and cost-effective facilities. This has a significant impact on sport, health and anti-social behaviour.

“We have re-balanced the ship, but it has tested resolve for many within the club, and it is a heavy burden I have shouldered personally over this period.

“I have not enjoyed this period, and at times it has been hard to find that motivation to lead and inspire with the same vigour I have always aimed to deliver.

“I take pride in our club and its fantastic position to provide so many opportunities for 400+ players to take advantage of and enjoy. The patience from players and parents during this period was encouraging.

“We supported additional ad-hoc sessions along with numerous benefits including reduced-price camps and complimentary event tickets to help soften this blow.

“This challenge was a little too much to handle. In addition to the player, parent and club impact, it has been a severe strain on me. It has had a significant effect on club finances, but having said all of this; we are still here and determined to rebound stronger than ever.

"When we lose a game, the only answer is to get better.”

As preparations intensify for the 2026-27 season, the message from the Lions is clear. Despite setbacks, disruption and growing pains, the club remains firmly committed to building one of the strongest and most sustainable basketball programmes in the country — from grassroots participation through to elite performance.

In addition to this a 'coalition of the willing' has been formed to look at long term solutions for facility provision and to future proof this critical area of the club. Resilience and stability have been thoroughly tested, but through these challenges, an ever-strong determination to continue ambitious plans burns intensely, and at every major hurdle in the past, the club has rebounded under James' leadership to become bigger, brighter and better than before.