March Madness: Brits in the 2025 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament

March Madness is back, and there’s British representation once again in the 2025 Men’s NCAA D1 tournament.

Luke Bamgboye & Michael Belle – VCU [11]

Thursday, 20th March vs BYU [6] – 8:05pm (UK time) – Denver, Colorado

Luke Bamgboye and Michael Belle are the only British teammates to make the Big Dance, qualifying after winning the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament.

Bamgboye, a former London Legend, had five points, eight rebounds and four blocks in the final against George Mason, including a clutch putback dunk to help the Rams hold off a late charge. A starter, the 6’10” big man with a 7’2″ wingspan has become an increasingly big part of the Rams over the course of the season and they will be looking on him to defend the paint.

Belle also has an important role, but off the bench. The former Richmond Knight is also known for his skills at the defensive end, and will be looking to help VCU upset BYU.

James Okonkwo – Akron [13]

Friday, 21st March vs Arizona [4] – 11:35pm (UK time) – Seattle, Washington

James Okonkwo’s Akron make the tournament after a game winner with two seconds remaining from his teammate Redshirt junior Nate Johnson to lead them Miami, 76-74, and capture the program’s sixth Mid-American Conference Tournament title.

Okonkwo, originally out of Reading Rockets, and a transfer from UNC, starts for the Zips and had five points, five rebounds and two steals in the championship game, and is averaging seven points, 7.3 rebounds on 59% shooting.

Akron are 28-6 on the season and also won the MAC regular season title.

Amari Williams – Kentucky [3]

Friday, 21st March vs Troy [14] – 11:10pm (UK time) – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Amari Williams has continued to draw attention this season for his final year of college eligibility with Kentucky, having graduated from Drexel. Despite losing in the SEC Quarter-Finals, the NCAA men’s basketball selection committee has chosen Williams and Kentucky as the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Originally out of Myerscough, the three-time consecutive CAA Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 11 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game on the season and has been a key part of Kentucky’s team.

UK heads into March Madness with a 22-11 overall record in the program’s first season under head coach Mark Pope, and finished sixth in the SEC.

Where can I watch March Madness in the UK?

Sky Sports will show every available game live on the Sky Sports+ streaming service. We are also bringing many of the best game selections to our front channels and for the early rounds the 12-hour long ‘whiparound’ coverage to keep you up to date with all the madness in one place.

There will be 93 games across both tournaments, with primary coverage on Sky Sports+ (and streams), Main Event, Action and Mix throughout the tournament.