Brixton TopCats is a British basketball club based in the Brixton area of London. Established in 1985, the Men's first team currently compete in the National Basketball League Division 2, and the Women's team compete in the Women's British Basketball League. The club is particularly notable for its development programme, which has started the careers of Luol Deng, Ajou Deng and Ugonna Onyekwe in recent years.[1] The TopCats are based at Brixton Recreation Centre and since 2009 have operated a partnership with London South Bank University.[2]

Brixton TopCats
LeaguesMen's:
EBL Division 2
Women's:
Women's British Basketball League
Founded1985
HistoryBrixton TopCats
(1985–1986)
Lambeth TopCats
(1986–1987)
Brixton TopCats
(1987–present)
ArenaBrixton Recreation Centre
LocationBrixton, London
Team colorsRed and White
   
Websitebrixtontopcats.org

The club has received visits over the years from Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Robert Horry, Lennox Lewis, Ian Wright and Kate Hoey MP. The club's founder, owner and General Manager, Jimmy Rogers, who died in 2018, was recognised as a community leader and remembered globally in basketball communities.[3]

Season-by-season records

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Season[4][5] Division Played Won Lost Points League Playoffs National Cup National Trophy Patron's Cup National Shield
Brixton TopCats
1985-86 NBL Division 2 22 15 7 30 4th 1st Round Semi-final DNQ DNQ
Lambeth TopCats
1986-87 NBL Division 2 18 11 7 22 5th 2nd Round Quarter-final DNQ DNQ
Brixton TopCats
1987-88 NBL Division 2 18 14 4 28 2nd Runner-up 1st Round Runner-up DNQ DNQ
1988-89 NBL Division 1 20 17 3 34 2nd Semi-final 1st Round Winners DNQ DNQ
1989-90 NBL Division 1 22 19 3 38 3rd Runner-up 2nd Round Runner-up DNQ DNQ
1990-91 NBL Division 1 22 10 12 20 9th DNQ 2nd Round 2nd Round DNQ DNQ
1991-92 NBL Division 1 22 13 9 26 4th Semi-final 2nd Round Semi-final DNQ DNQ
1992-93 NBL Division 1 22 11 11 22 7th Semi-final 2nd Round Quarter-final DNQ DNQ
1993-94 NBL Division 1 18 10 8 20 5th Quarter-final 3rd Round Quarter-final DNQ DNQ
1994-95 NBL Division 1 22 13 9 26 5th Quarter-final 2nd Round Quarter-final DNQ DNQ
1995-96 NBL Division 1 22 9 13 18 7th Runner-up 1st Round Quarter-final DNQ DNQ
1996-97 NBL Division 1 26 7 19 14 12th DNQ 2nd Round DNQ DNQ
1997-98 NBL Division 1 22 4 18 8 12th DNQ 2nd Round DNQ DNQ
1998-99 NBL Division 1 26 2 24 4 14th DNQ 3rd Round DNQ DNQ
1999-2000 NBL Division 2 24 17 7 34 4th 2nd Round DNQ DNQ
2000-01 NBL Division 2 24 6 18 12 11th DNQ DNQ DNQ Quarter-final
2001-02 NBL Division 2 South 16 7 9 14 6th DNQ DNQ DNQ 2nd Round
2002-03 NBL Division 2 South 14 7 7 14 6th DNQ DNQ DNQ Runner-up
2003-04 EBL Division 3 South 18 16 2 32 1st Semi-final DNQ DNQ Winners
2004-05 EBL Division 3 East 18 9 9 18 7th DNQ 2nd Round DNQ DNQ Runner-up
2005-06 EBL Division 3 South-East 16 6 10 12 7th DNQ 1st Round DNQ DNQ 1st Round
2006-07 EBL Division 3 South 16 11 5 22 3rd Quarter-final 2nd Round DNQ DNQ 3rd Round
2007-08 EBL Division 3 South 22 7 15 14 11th DNQ 1st Round DNQ DNQ 2nd Round
2008-09 EBL Division 3 South 24 20 4 40 1st Runner-up Semi-final DNQ DNQ Winners
2009-10 EBL Division 2 20 15 5 30 2nd Quarter-final Quarter-final DNQ 1st Round DNQ
2010-11 EBL Division 1 18 8 10 16 5th Quarter-final Winners 1st Round DNQ DNQ
2011-12 EBL Division 1 24 11 13 22 9th DNQ 3rd Round Quarter-final DNQ DNQ
2012-13 EBL Division 1 26 3 23 6 14th DNQ 2nd Round 1st Round DNQ DNQ
2013-14 EBL Division 2 20 12 8 24 4th Semi-final 2nd Round DNQ 1st Round DNQ
2014-15 EBL Division 2 22 10 12 20 7th Quarter-final 2nd Round DNQ 1st Round DNQ

References

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  1. ^ "Deng's dedication breeds success". BBC.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Brixton Recreation Centre". ballersnetwork.com.
  3. ^ Tim Lewis, "Farewell to father of British basketball who discovered Luol Deng", The Guardian, 6 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018
  4. ^ "Brixton TopCats History". pawprint75.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008.
  5. ^ "League Table History". Basketball England. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
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