Video: Darius Defoe reflects on 18 years in Newcastle

By Sam Neter on February 2, 2022

Watch Darius Defoe reflect on the start of his love affair with basketball and the city of Newcastle, as the Dominica-born, London-raised star gets ready to break the 6,000-point barrier for his beloved Newcastle Eagles.

His journey from Dominica to London and then to Tyneside started over 25 years ago. In the time since, Defoe has established himself as the most decorated player in British basketball history with 27 trophies in 17 seasons.

Nicknamed ‘Mr 27’ for his astonishing achievements, the now 37-year-old looks back, in an exclusive video with Vertu Motors, on how a visit to Newcastle for a basketball tournament for one weekend turned into a record-breaking career.

“One day after basketball I got a message asking if I wanted to go to Newcastle for a tournament. I said, “Newcastle, I don’t know where that is! Do I need a passport?’ and he told me it was just three hours on a train!

“After that Fab [Fabulous Flourney, the coach] was calling me over and over about staying and joining. So, I asked my Mum and she wanted me out of London at the time. I came up here and the rest is history.”

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