Basketball Academy

Itchen College is a proud member of the Elite Academies Basketball League (EABL)!

Itchen has won the Hampshire League & Cup every year since 2009!

Itchen College is a proud member of the Elite Academies Basketball League (EABL)!

Itchen has won the Hampshire League & Cup every year since 2009!

Welcome to the Basketball Academy

Welcome to Itchen Basketball Academy, one of Basketball England’s Tier 1 Academies, dedicated to developing the next generation of basketball talent. As a proud provider of the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) program, we combine high-level training with academic excellence to empower student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off the court.

Our academy offers three distinct pathways—Elite, Development, and Enrichment—designed to cater to players at all stages of their basketball journey. Competing in the Elite Academies Basketball Leagues (W/EABL) and the Hampshire College League, our teams consistently strive for excellence in one of the most competitive basketball environments in the UK.

Beyond competition, our academy is a springboard to future success. We’ve helped players progress to British and American universities, as well as European academies, with Jeremy Sochan, now playing in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs and Florrie Cotterill Wright State(NCAA) being our most notable success stories.

Whether you dream of professional basketball, collegiate opportunities, or simply want to play for fun, Itchen Basketball Academy is the place to make it happen. Join us and take your game to the next level!

The Basketball Academy can offer you:

14 individual and team practice hours per week;
3 strength and conditioning sessions per week with a UKSCA qualified coach;
an on-site physiotherapist;
video analysis and performance evaluation;
high quality coaching;
games in the Elite Academies Basketball League (EABL);
a link with Solent Kestrels Basketball Club;
strong pathways to universities both in the UK and abroad, including the USA;
and opportunities to achieve coaching and refereeing qualifications.

What is the DISE?

The Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DISE) is designed to meet the needs of elite athletes aged 16-19 who wish to continue their sporting career and gain qualifications at the same time. It is a two-year programme where athletes receive additional support and guidance for their basketball development and education.

The DISE is aimed at athletes ‘who have the realistic potential to achieve excellence in their sport and are seeking to perform at the highest level as their main career goal.’

The programme has also been designed to give students the skills, knowledge and qualifications to pursue a secondary or supplementary career such as: coaching; sports development; fitness instructing; or entering higher education.

Itchen Basketball Media

Student Success

“"Itchen was a long way for me to travel as it was not my local college but, after looking at what their Basketball Academy offered, I knew I had to be at Itchen if I wanted my basketball to progress. I was right - Itchen allowed me to practice with other players who could push me in training. I could get on the court every morning for individual workouts and I made best friends through the academy. Our coaches were very experienced, pushed us to be the best we could be and entered us in competitions that challenged us as players. This not only improved me as a player, but made me mentally tougher. "The AASE programme at Itchen was brilliant. It helped me think about the importance of nutrition, strength and conditioning, and was really supportive when I was injured and need physio treatment. One of my best moments was being selected for the U19 AASE England team and going to Denmark with them." Chloe is now studying Sport Coaching and Development at Southampton Solent University. ”

Chloe Lammas

STUDENT VOICE

The college takes great pride in its basketball by supplying physiotherapy and strength and conditioning sessions so that you can stay in peak condition throughout the year. As well as Academy time, extra training sessions are put on throughout the week in order to give the team the best chance of winning. Itchen has the best basketball programme in the south and it works very hard to maintain that status.

Elliot James

Student Voice

“"My time at Itchen was eye opening to the world of what a student athlete is like. It was the hardest three years of my life, being pushed physically and mentally, but with the help of my coaches and teachers it was broken down so I could develop both in the classroom and on the basketball court. I was then able to achieve a scholarship to the USA for basketball." Theo is now playing basketball at Arlington Country Day School, Florida, USA.”

Theo King

Sixth Form

International 16-18

Adult Learning

Apprenticeships

Parent & Guardian Information

Community

About