Reading Rockets
English professional basketball club
The Reading Rockets are an English professional basketball club based in the town of Reading, England. Founded in 1997, the Rockets compete in British Championship Basketball , the second tier of the British basketball system.
01History
The Rockets were formed in 1997 by current owner Gary Johnson together with his son Matt, starting in Division 3. The club won promotion at the first attempt, and in the National Basketball League reorganisation of 2000, England Basketball replaced Division 1 with the eight-team NBL Conference as the second-tier. Subsequently, Division 2 became Division 1 where the Rockets found themselves.
The Rockets remained in Division 1 for just one season, finishing second and beating Oxford in the Championship Final, thus winning promotion to the NBL Conference. In the 2001-02 season they finished seventh in the NBL Conference. In the following season, the Rockets continued their rise, finishing in third place. In 2003, the National Basketball League was rebranded as the English Basketball League, and once again was restructured with a new format, with Rockets finishing in second place in the new EBL Division 1. In the following season the Rockets finished third and were runners-up to Worthing Thunder in both the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.
The club completed its most successful season ever in 2008-09, going undefeated to win all four national championships. The club applied to join the British Basketball League (Top division of the British Basketball System) as a member franchise for the 2012-13 season but was unsuccessful. In the 2013-14 season the Rockets completed the treble and were Play Off Championship finalists. Rockets' Ladies won the Division 2 Southern league in 2014. As a stepping stone into the Senior Men's team, the Rockets' run academies at the John Madejski Academy and the Henley College.
The club has squads ranging from developing Under-12s to the Division 1 senior men's side, and coaching staff regularly visit local schools and run satellite clubs as part of the Community Rockets scheme.
In 2022, the Rockets applied to join the British Basketball League starting from the 2023-24 season.
In the 2024-25 season, the Rockets won the National Cup in January, the KitKing Trophy in March, and the NBL1 D1 playoff championship in April.
02Men
Honours
- Men's National League Division 1 League Champions (3): 2008/2009, 2012/13, 2013/14
- Men's National Cup Winners (4): 2004/05, 2008/09, 2013/14, 2024/25
- Men's National League Division 1 Play Off Champions (4): 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2012/13
- Men's National Trophy Winners (5): 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2013/14
Current roster
| Reading Rockets 26-27 roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Notable former players
- E.J. Harrison
- Adam Kelly
- Ted Smith
- Tyrell Smith
- David Watts
- Niko Scott
- Ryan Lohfink
- Luke Nelson
- Matt Johnson
- Harrison Gamble
- Andy Powlesland
- Jermaine Williams
- Pem Bristol
- Danny Carter
- Damon Cooper
Staff
Former head coaches
| Coach | From | To | Total Games | RS Won | RS Lost | PO Won | PO Lost | Total Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Devereux | 1997/98 | 1997/98 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 0.462 | ||
| Dave Aldred | 1998/99 | 1998/99 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 0.654 | ||
| Dave Titmuss | 1999/00 | 2000/01 | 42 | 31 | 11 | 0.738 | ||
| Matt Johnson | 2002/03 | 2002/03 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0.727 | ||
| Mark Dunning | 2004/05 | 2004/05 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0.727 | ||
| Dave Titmuss | 2005/06 | 2008/09 | 95 | 75 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0.884 |
| Sasa Punosevac | 2009/10 | 2009/10 | 6 | 3 | 3 | , | , | 0.500 |
| Matt Johnson | 2009/10 | 2009/10 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0.529 |
| Samit Nuruzade | 2010/11 | 2012/13 | 75 | 48 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 0.720 |
| Manuel Pena Garces | 2013/14 | 2017/18 | 134 | 91 | 33 | 5 | 5 | 0.716 |
| Alan Keane | 2018/19 | 2020/21 | 68 | 35 | 33 | - | - | 0.514 |
| Dan Pearson | 2021/22 | 2021/22 | 27 | 15 | 11 | - | 1 | 0.555 |
| Samit Nuruzade | 2022/23 | Present | 33 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0.66 |
Season-by-season records
| Season | Division | Tier | Regular Season | Post-Season | National Cup | Trophy | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Win % | |||||||
| Reading Rockets | ||||||||||||
| 1997-98 | D3 | 4 | 3rd | 26 | 12 | 14 | 24 | 0.462 | Quarter-finals | - | - | |
| 1998-99 | D2 | 3 | 4th | 26 | 17 | 9 | 34 | 0.654 | Quarter-finals | - | - | |
| 1999-00 | D2 | 3 | 5th | 24 | 17 | 7 | 34 | 0.708 | Semi-finals | - | - | |
| 2000-01 | D1 | 3 | 2nd | 18 | 14 | 4 | 28 | 0.778 | Winners, beating Oxford | - | - | |
| 2001-02 | Conf. | 2 | 7th | 18 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 0.389 | Quarter-finals | - | - | |
| 2002-03 | Conf. | 2 | 3rd | 22 | 16 | 6 | 32 | 0.727 | Runners-up | - | - | |
| 2003-04 | D1 | 2 | 2nd | 22 | 17 | 5 | 34 | 0.773 | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals | - | |
| 2004-05 | D1 | 2 | 3rd | 22 | 16 | 6 | 32 | 0.727 | Runners-up | Winners, beating Sheffield | - | |
| 2005-06 | D1 | 2 | 2nd | 26 | 22 | 4 | 44 | 0.846 | Winners, beating Worthing | Runners-up | - | |
| 2006-07 | D1 | 2 | 2nd | 22 | 19 | 3 | 38 | 0.864 | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | - | |
| 2007-08 | D1 | 2 | 2nd | 18 | 16 | 2 | 32 | 0.889 | Runners-up | Semi-finals | - | |
| 2008-09 | D1 | 2 | 1st | 18 | 18 | 0 | 36 | 1.000 | Winners, beating Manchester | Winners, beating Manchester | - | |
| 2009-10 | D1 | 2 | 7th | 22 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 0.545 | Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | - | |
| 2010-11 | D1 | 2 | 3rd | 18 | 12 | 6 | 24 | 0.667 | Winners, beating Leeds | 3rd round | - | |
| 2011-12 | D1 | 2 | 7th | 24 | 14 | 10 | 28 | 0.583 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | - | |
| 2012-13 | D1 | 2 | 1st | 26 | 22 | 4 | 44 | 0.846 | Winners, beating Worthing | Semi-finals | - | |
| 2013-14 | D1 | 2 | 1st | 26 | 22 | 4 | 44 | 0.846 | Runners-up | Winners, beating Newham | - | |
| 2014-15 | D1 | 2 | 5th | 24 | 15 | 9 | 30 | 0.625 | Quarter-finals | Runners-up | - | |
| 2015-16 | D1 | 2 | 3rd | 26 | 19 | 7 | 38 | 0.731 | Runners-up | Quarter-finals | - | |
| 2016-17 | D1 | 2 | 3rd | 26 | 20 | 6 | 40 | 0.769 | Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | - | |
| 2017-18 | D1 | 2 | 3rd | 24 | 17 | 7 | 34 | 0.708 | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals | - | |
| 2018-19 | D1 | 2 | 6th | 26 | 14 | 12 | 28 | 0.538 | Quarter-finals | 4th round | - | |
| 2019-20 | D1 | 2 | 7th | 23 | 14 | 9 | 28 | 0.609 | No playoffs | Runners-up | - | |
| 2020-21 | D1 | 2 | 9th | 19 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 0.368 | 1st round | No competition | - | |
| 2021-22 | D1 | 2 | 8th | 26 | 15 | 11 | 28* | 0.577 | 1st round | 4th round | - | |
| 2022-23 | D1 | 2 | 4th | 26 | 17 | 9 | 34 | 0.654 | Semi-final | 4th round | Semi-finals | |
| 2023-24 | D1 | 2 | 4th | 24 | 16 | 8 | 32 | 0.667 | Runners-Up | Runners-Up | Semi-Finals | |
| 2024-25 | D1 | 2 | 3rd | 24 | 17 | 7 | 34 | 0.708 | Winners, Beating MK | Winners, Beating Hemel | Winners, Beating MK | |
| 2025-26 | BCB | 2 | 1st | 26 | 22 | 4 | 44 | 0.846 | Runners Up | - | QF | |
Record in BBL/SLB competitions
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | BBL Trophy | GS | Plymouth Raiders | ||
| GS | Worthing Thunder | ||||
| GS | Guildford Heat | ||||
| 2009-10 | BBL Trophy | R1 | Newcastle Eagles | L 60-102 | |
| 2012-13 | BBL Trophy | R1 | Surrey Heat | L 68-86 | |
| 2013-14 | BBL Trophy | R1 | Sheffield Sharks | L 73-85 | |
| 2014-15 | BBL Trophy | R1 | Newcastle Eagles | L 90-112 | |
| 2015-16 | BBL Trophy | R1 | Surrey Scorchers | L 72-82 | |
| 2016-17 | BBL Trophy | R1 | Bristol Flyers | L 74-85 | |
| 2024-25 | SLB Cup | R1 | Sheffield Sharks | L 72-84 |
03Women
Honours
- Women's National League Division 2 Champions (1): 2013/14
- Women's National League Division 2 South West Champions (1): 2015/16 1
- Women's National League Division 1 finalist (1): 2019/2020/
- Women's National cup finalist (2): 2019/2020- 2022/2023
Current roster
| Reading Rockets 24-25 roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Notable former players
- Cat Lutz-Sadler
- Steph Johnson
- Maike Delow
- Carmen Segura Moreno
- Sitota Gines Espinosa
- Jessica (Jessie) Ford
- Noa Sanchez Marques
- Anabel Latorre
- Saioa San Francisco
Staff
Former head coaches
Season-by-season records
| Season | Division | Position | Played | Won | Lost | Points | Play-offs | National Trophy |
National Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Rockets Senior Women | |||||||||
| 2024-2025 | D1 | 12th | 22 | 2 | 20 | 4 | - | - | |
| 2023-2024 | D1 | 6th | 21 | 11 | 10 | 22 | - | - | |
| 2022-2023 | D1 | 4th | 16 | 11 | 5 | 22 | Semifinal | - | Final |
| 2021-2022 | D1 | 11th | 22 | 4 | 18 | 8 | - | - | 1st round |
| 2020-2021 | D1 | 6th | 18 | 9 | 9 | 18 | - | - | - |
| 2019-2020 | D1 | 3rd | 15 | 11 | 4 | 25 | - | - | Semi-finals |
| 2018-2019 | D1 | 5th | 18 | 9 | 9 | 18 | Quarter-finals | - | Runners-up |
| 2017-2018 | D1 | 5th | 22 | 13 | 9 | 26 | - | - | Quarter-finals |
| 2016-2017 | D1 | 8th | 20 | 6 | 14 | 12 | Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | |
| 2015-2016 | D2 SW | 1st | 16 | 15 | 1 | 28 | Runners-up | Runners-up | |
| 2014-2015 | D2 MSW | 3rd | 14 | 11 | 3 | 22 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | 2nd round |
| 2013-2014 | D2 MSE | 1st | 14 | 13 | 1 | 26 | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | 2nd round |
| 2012-2013 | D2 MSE | 2nd | 16 | 12 | 4 | 24 | Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | 2nd round |
| 2011-2012 | D2 MSW | 2nd | 12 | 9 | 3 | 18 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | 1st round |
| 2010-2011 | D2 MSW | 5th | 14 | 5 | 9 | 10 | DNQ | 1st round | 1st round |
| 2009-2010 | |||||||||
| 2008-2009 | |||||||||
| 2007-2008 | |||||||||
| 2006-2007 | D2 S | 6th | 20 | 9 | 11 | 18 | |||
| 2005-2006 | D2 S | 2nd | 21 | 14 | 7 | 28 | |||
- DNQ denotes Did not qualify.
04NBL Conference Men
Season-by-season records
| Season | Division | Position | Played | Won | Lost | Points | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Rockets Senior Women | |||||||||
| 2024-2025 | NBL Conference Pool IV | 2nd | 14 | 11 | 3 | 22 | |||
Current roster
| Reading Rockets 24-25 roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Reading Rockets”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Reading rockets logo.png by Unknown author, Fair use
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