Basketball elite heading to Hastings this weekend

The tournament, the only one of its kind in the UK featuring international teams, will be staged at the Summerfields Leisure Centre for the first time since the 2019, when Wolfpack of Denmark, won the title, defeating Kitsap Admirals (USA) in the final.

WCBT has grown substantially since the inaugural event in 2015 and has seen teams from across the world including Australia, India Spain, France, USA, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Holland, Pakistan and Germany entering.

The World Club Basketball Tournament is now regarded as the number one international basketball tournament in the UK.

This year’s event will feature some of the best basketball players ever seen in England.

Teams are scheduled to include USAF Lakenheath Eagles (USA), Toben Basketball (Canada), Viesulus (Lithuania), New York Court Kings (USA), Argyle Kings (England), Hoop Goon (USA), Ambassy International (Italy), Whitstable Basketball and Coventry Tornadoes (England)l battle it out to become champions.

WCBT will also include some of the top coaches and basketball figures in the sport, with BBL players and high-level NCAA collegiate players, and for the first time will feature team representing the powerhouse basketball nation of Lithuania.

WCBT Founder Eric Douglin said: “I am overwhelmed with the interest this year’s tournament has generated, considering basketball is viewed as a minority sport in the UK. Even though we have 10 teams competing we could have doubled that figure and we have already received entries for next year’s competition which is an encouraging sign.”

The tournament format will consist of two groups of four teams competing in a high-level competition over the weekend.

There will be a dunk contest, merchandise, cheerleaders and a films crew on hand to film the event for worldwide syndicated media outlets.

There will be a free youth coaching session on the Sunday starting at 10 am and hosted by international coaches, staff and players, in addition to prize giveaways and music.

Proceeds from the tournament will go to Kidney Research UK and Colostomy UK – which are dedicated charities of the event after founder Douglin received a kidney from his wife in 2010 and had stoma surgery in 2021.

WCBT is a self-funded event and there are a number of sponsorship opportunities available for interested companies.

Tickets for the tournament are on sale but will be free to under- 16s, with action starting at 11:30am. For more, email [email protected] or visit www.worldclubbasketballtournament.com