HENLEY COLLEGE student Luke Nelson has been named England basketball U18 player of the year, rounding off a highly successful year.

Last year saw Nelson named England U16 player of the year and he went on to represent his country at this summer’s European Championships and earn a call-up to the England U18 squad.

Nelson recently signed a national letter of intent with the UC Irvine Anteaters men’s basketball team in the USA.

Head coach Russell Turner expressed his delight at securing Nelson, describing him as one of the most proven players he has ever signed.

These achievements strongly reflect the growing success of the partnership between The Henley College and the Reading Rockets, who play in basketball’s Division 1.


The Reading Rockets basketball academy, part of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme, is based at the college and provides students with the opportunity to combine top-quality basketball training and competition with their academic studies.

College Principal, Tom Espley, said: “I am delighted with this news. Luke is an outstanding player and student who is a credit to the college.”

Published 21/01/13