Hilary Lissenden, Executive Director of Sport Strategy and Growth at the University of East London, said there is a shortage of basketball facilities at all levelsKumail Jaffer Democracy Reporter covering the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority
13:56, 23 Jan 2026
London has 500,000 active basketball players alone – but few have reached the elite level(Image: Greater London Authority)
Investment in grassroots basketball in London has been transformative but more needs to be done at the elite level, Sir Sadiq Khan has been told.
The Mayor’s latest investment will see £1.5million to expand the London Coaches Programme to train up 180 trainee basketball coaches, and the establishment of a new fund to refurbish and upgrade courts across the city.
In addition, an NBA Court Time programme will offer affordable indoor basketball sessions in Greenwich from February to March. He said the funding, which was announced prior to the National Basketball Association (NBA) game played in London on Sunday (January 18), would help the sport go from “strength to strength” in the capital.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is said to be keen to see the elite game grow in Europe(Image: )
Basketball is now the second most popular team sport in England, behind football, with London alone home to more than 500,000 active players.
Hilary Lissenden, who was Head of Sport and Youth for the Greater London Authority (GLA) under Sir Sadiq for four years, hailed the current round of investment as crucial to building the grassroots game but said there was still far more work to be done.
Now the Executive Director of Sport Strategy and Growth at the University of East London (UEL), she has also worked with the NBA to promote opportunities for women in sport, including directly with the NBA to hold Her Time to Play sessions.
The NBA has worked with organisations like the University of East London to promote basketball with young girls(Image: )
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that future investment should be focused on ensuring young Londoners can play basketball in “aspirational settings”.
“There is a shortage of dedicated basketball facilities at all levels of the game, from outdoor courts to existing elite facilities,” she said.
“We’ve seen the importance of people being able to play the game in aspirational settings – coming into a properly fitted arena. It opens their eyes to how they can be on our talent pathway and the opportunities that comes with it.
“This is particularly important in Newham, where we have the legacy of the Olympics – we need to invest in the sport and its development.
“Investment must look at the whole-sport ecosystem, from inclusive grass-roots participation to elite performance, and the ongoing development of basketball’s governance and infrastructure. That’s how we can authentically support people, not just in playing, but in coaching, officiating, administration and support services.
“In parallel with the community aspect, there has to be investment and thoughts about how people progress up the pathway to the elite level.”
Ms Lissenden said young players need to know they can reach the elite level if they’re talented enough – but subpar facilities are holding them back(Image: )
The Great Britain men’s national basketball team has struggled on the international stage since its inception, despite hopes it would kick on after appearing at the Olympic Games in 2012 as hosts.
However, the London Lions team became the most successful British men’s team in European history by reaching the EuroCup semi-finals in 2024. With the Mayor’s backing, the franchise is exploring building a new, 15,000-capacity arena to reflect the growing interest in the capital.
In 2024 Sir Sadiq Khan announced the creation of a Basketball Taskforce to help grow the game in London.
The Mayor of London said: “Basketball continues to go from strength-to-strength in the capital and I want to use the NBA coming to our capital to create a meaningful legacy from the sport for Londoners.
Sadiq Khan has been keen to host elite-level NBA games in London – but can the capital produce such a player?(Image: Greater London Authority)
“That is why I’m proud to be working alongside NBA and our partners to deliver this new investment to improve and expand access to London’s community courts – while providing free and affordable indoor sessions during winter months to keep Londoners active.
“Through my new taskforce, I’m determined to help basketball grow even further, enabling more young people to access and enjoy the sport. London is the undisputed sporting capital of the world. I look forward to continuing to work with the NBA to build a better and heathier London for everyone.”
Last Sunday’s NBA game in London was the first held in the capital since 2019, and the 10th in history. Hosted at the O2 Arena, the Grizzlies routed the Magic 126-109 in front of a sell-out audience.
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