London Lions - Baseline Mag Feature

We are incredibly excited to share that we were recently featured in a six-page spread in the London Lions' basketball magazine, Baseline Mag. The London Lions, for those who may not know, are the standout basketball team in the UK, currently excelling in both the Euro Cup and the BBL.

Issue #002 of Baseline Mag includes a fun Q&A session where Behrad and Denz answer questions about each other, offering readers a fun and interesting glimpse into our dynamic. The feature also dives into a more serious discussion about what SBB does and our vision for basketball in the UK.

The BBL's Growth

Growing up, we didn't closely follow the British Basketball League (BBL). Its reputation within elite junior basketball environments in the UK wasn't the best. However, over the last few years, we've seen a resurgence in the league, which has reignited our interest and led us to attend multiple BBL games this season. We've been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the games - it's far from the popular belief that the BBL is a second-rate league. And with each passing year, the games are getting better and better, even attracting players with NBA experience.

The growth of professional basketball in the UK is an excellent development for the sport. It positively impacts the entire basketball pyramid - inspiring young players, giving them a taste of elite basketball right at their doorstep, and making them realize that pursuing a career in professional basketball in the UK could be a viable option.

The significance of having a UK team competing in Europe's elite competitions cannot be understated. It places UK basketball in the shop window for the rest of Europe to see that we can indeed compete. Over time, this exposure should hopefully raise the general standard of the BBL and inspire other teams to target competing in Europe.

Media Improvements

We also want to acknowledge the significant improvements that the Lions have made from a digital media perspective. They, along with the BBL as a whole, have made notable strides since 777's investment. We got involved recently by rating the Lions' home court, the Copperbox Arena, in one of our videos. The video gained a lot of traction and has amassed over half a million views on TikTok.

We're grateful for the chance to be featured in Baseline Mag, and we're excited about the future of basketball in the UK. With teams like the Lions leading the way, we're confident that the sport will continue to grow and thrive.

Catch the full feature here!