SLBW 2025-26 season preview: Who are the team to beat?

By Bradley Gains on September 19, 2025

The 2025-26 Super League Basketball season gets underway this weekend with just 10 teams competing after the withdrawal of Durham Palatinates.

The inaugural SLB campaign was one of the most competitive in the top-flight since the 2014 inception as the four trophies were split across three teams.

Here’s a run through how each team is looking ahead of the new season:

Caledonia Gladiators

Last season: 4th (13-7) – Championship; SF – Playoffs; Winners – Trophy; DNQ – Cup

Ins: Ella Doherty: CSU Monterrey Bay – USA, NCAA D2 | Amanda Okodugha [SWE/UK]: Livorno – Italy, D2 | Tierra Hodges [USA]: Newcastle Eagles | Brynn Masikewich [CAN]: Gottingen – Germany, D2 | Maura Fitzpatrick [IRL/USA], Anastasia Warren [USA]: both Manchester Basketball

Outs: Erin McGarrachan (retired) | Delaynie Byrne [USA]: ZKK Buducnost – Montenegro, D1 | Kirsty Brown [UK/USA]: Peja – Kosovo, D1 | Maya Price (coaching) | Kat Tudor [USA] (not returning)

Key signing: Tierra Hodges has been one of the standout players in the SLB over the past two seasons with Newcastle Eagles; accumulating 657 points in the league – only bettered by Taylor O’Brien’s 714.

One to watch: Scottish wing Ella Doherty is back at Caledonia after time at college in the US. Doherty averaged just shy of 10 points per game in the 2020-21 season as a 17-year-old, and can now show off that development since.

Outlook: No European venture for the Gladiators this season after back-to-back EuroCup stints. They made history with the Trophy triumph last season, and have pulled off a big signing in Tierra Hodges. Caledonia have perhaps lacked a main scoring threat in recent years, but once again seem to have strength in depth.

Cardiff Met Archers

Last season: 6-14 (9th) – Championship; DNQ – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; DNQ – Cup

Ins: Jasmine Graham, Louise Fisher: both Loughborough Riders – NBL D1 | Anita Kadiri | Emme Eisenman [USA]: Puget Sound – USA, NCAA D3 |

Outs: Connie Clarke [USA] | Kiara Stewart [USA]: not returning

Key signing: Season number 11 for Laura Shanahan. An ultimate professional and true vet that knows the Archers programme inside out. Invaluable experience to pass on to the younger group, whilst still being able to contribute on the court, too.

One to watch: Jasmine Graham has been developing within the Riders programme at Charnwood and Loughborough and now has an opportunity to go up against the top pros with extended minutes with the Archers.

Outlook: After a tough start last season, the Archers really kicked on through the partnership of Connie Clarke and Kiara Stewart, albeit just missing out on the playoffs in the end. They have just one post-season appearance in the last seven seasons, and it will be another tough task to break into the top eight.

Essex Rebels

Last season: 6th (10-10) – Championship; QF – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; DNQ – Cup

Returning: Claire Paxton | Maria Blazejewski [USA] | Leah McDerment (all re-signed)

Ins: Olivia Forster: USC Upstate – USA, NCAA D1 | Cerys Leach: Ipswich – NBL D1 | Amba Thompson: Reading Rockets – NBL D1

Key signing: TBC – more signings to follow.

One to watch: One of the best sharpshooters of her age group, Olivia Forster returns to the UK after one year in NCAA Division 1 action. The GB U20 guard now gets a full season in the SLB having played a Trophy game with Ipswich previously, and this will be a good test.

Outlook: It’s largely a new-look roster for the Rebels with just three confirmed returnees, whilst also bringing in some young British talent. The likes of Taylor O’Brien and Lauren Park-Lane will be tough to replace, but they will be targeting to continue their run of making the post-season.

Leicester Riders

Last season: 8th (7-13) – Championship; QF – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; SF – Cup

Returning: Brooke Bigott [CAN] | Katie Januszewska (both re-signed)

Ins: Jada Holland [USA]: Grand Canyon University – USA, NCAA D1 | Alex Baker: unattached | Soniyah Reed [USA]: Southern University – USA, NCAA D1 | Kian Omer-Jones: London Lions

Outs: Elise Tweedie: Bamberg – Germany, D2 | Jess Eadsforth-Yates: Porfyras – Greece, D2 | Kaia Harrison [USA]: not returning

Key signing: Jada Holland takes the reins of the offence and brings a toughness on both ends of the floor. The rookie earned Defensive honors at GCU after returning to the school for a graduate year.

One to watch: The reigning Young Player of the Year Katie Januszewska was part of the GB Senior team at EuroBasket this summer, and this feels like it could be a real breakout season. Already averaging 13.7 points per game (second on the team), KJ has a chance to step up and continue to be a consistent scoring threat.

Outlook: After a run of eight consecutive top-four league finishes, Leicester found themselves just creeping into the playoffs last season. Nick Moodey has now taken over as head coach

London Lions

Last season: 0-20 (11th) – Championship; DNQ – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; DNQ – Cup

Returning: Macy Spinks | Monique Esbrand (re-signed)

Ins: Mya Proctor [CAN]: University of Calgary – Canada | Annika Shah [USA]: Cal Poly – USA, NCAA D1 | Sara Ahmadpour [USA]: Cal Poly Humboldt – USA, NCAA D1 | Yassin Belle, Deborah Somoye: both London Cavaliers – NBL D1 | Jada Lewis [USA]: Forssan Alku – Finland, D1 | Shantelle Ayton: Essex Rebels | Esther Oluade: London All Stars – NBL D2

Outs: Kian Omer Jones: Leicester Riders

Key signing: Jada Lewis spent a rookie year in Finland with an average of 16.7 points per game among the top 10 scorers in the league. The guard knows how to get to the basket and automatically gives London an improved scoring option in running the offence.

One to watch: Canadian forward Mya Proctor turns pro in London off the back of a five-year career at the University of Calgary – playing alongside Brits Louise Rouse and Polly Storie. Proctor averaged 10+ points per game in both of her last two years, and brings some versatility to the Lions.

Outlook: Kyla Nelson has been handed the reins and a much stronger roster has been assembled to avoid a repeat of their 0-16 league campaign last time out. The new imports bring an upgrade in quality and a playoffs push should be the minimum aim as London look to put last season’s struggles quickly behind them.

Manchester Basketball

Last season: 5th (13-7) – Championship; QF – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; DNQ – Cup

Returning: Eva Karasaite | Hannah Shaw | Nicolette Fairley (both re-signed)

Ins: Harriet Swindells: Braunschweig – Germany, D2 | Frannie Hottinger [USA]: Freiburg – Germany, D1 | Maaja Bratka [EST]: Zamora – Spain, D2 | Jenna Mastellone [USA]: CDEF Franco – Portugal, D2 | Fleur Gammal: Caledonia Blues | Tiarra East [USA]: Temple University – USA, NCAA D1

Outs: Danni Williams [USA]: PAOK – Greece, D1 | Davida Dale [USA]: not returning | Anastasia Warren [USA], Maura Fitzpatrick [USA/IRL]: both Caledonia Gladiators

Key signing: Frannie Hottinger averaged 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in Germany’s top-flight last season, and has the potential to have a big year in the SLB. The guard-forward was also a standout at Lehigh University – setting a single-season scoring record in her senior year.

One to watch: The last time Harriet Swindells suited up in the top-flight in the UK was with Leicester Riders back in the 2016-17 season. A solid college career at NCAA D2 level was followed by a first season as a pro in Germany, and now Swindells returns as a more-rounded player.

Outlook: Manchester were fun to watch last season with SLB MVP Danni Williams scoring for fun, and Davida Dale filling up the statsheet on a weekly basis. Both players leave huge boots to fill, but Manchester have made some big signings whilst also offering the chance for young British talents to thrive under the new leadership of Oli Parr.

Newcastle Eagles

Last season: 15-5 (3rd) – Championship; SF – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; SF – Cup

Returning: Sarah Birkett [USA/UK] | Zoe Willis | Alex Campbell (all re-signed)

Ins: Alyssa Martin [USA]: University of California Santa Barbara – USA, NCAA D1 | Andrea Daley [USA]: Boston College – USA, NCAA D1 | Natalie Cernohorska [CZE]: | Shanique Lucas [PNG], Sarah Wells [CAN]: both Durham Palatinates | Maria Mongomo [ESP]: Fribourg – Switzerland, D1 | Jada Dapaa [USA]: unattached | Grace Rae: academy

Key signing: Shanique Lucas makes the switch after an impressive year at Durham Palatinates last season. The guard from Papa New Guinea averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists as well as 3.3 steals per game, but won’t be required to do as much of the heavy lifting this time around on a deeper roster.

One to watch: There is also a return for Jada Dapaa having last played for the club at the backend of the 2023-24 campaign before suffering an injury. A case of unfinished business for the American and a chance to take on a role as one of the leaders on the team.

Outlook: The Eagles were something of a surprise package last season as they finished up in third place under Coach of the Year winner Chloe Gaynor. However, Tierra Hodges has departed further north to Caledonia and star guard duo of Jada Guinn and Lauren Saiki have also left. Some strong signings have been made, and now it will be about making the team gel and getting results on the court.

Nottingham Wildcats

Last season: 4-16 (10th) – Championship; DNQ – Playoffs; Group stage – Trophy; DNQ – Cup

Returning: Alice Fallon (re-signed)

Ins: Rachel Harvey [USA/UK]: Eastern Washington – USA, NCAA D1 | Shaniya Rose: USCB – USA, NCAA D2 | Emma Nolan [USA]: Bad Homburg – Germany, D1 | Jo Langbehn [USA]: St Thomas – USA, NCAA D1

One to watch: The Wildcats have a steep history of domiant bigs in the league: think Ashley Arlen, Jasmine Joyner and Kennedy Nicholas, and they will be hoping Jo Langbehn can hit those kind of heights in a rookie year out of St Thomas.

Outlook: It’s been a tough few years for the Wildcats with their last winning record in the league coming in the 2020-21 season. But they have continued to lean on their academy players and seen some break out on the big stage.

Oaklands Wolves

Last season: 1st (18-2) – Championship; RU – Playoffs; RU – Trophy; Winners – Cup

Ins: Amy West [NZL]: unattached | Teresa Da Silva [UK/POR]: CSM CSU Constanta – Romania, D1 | Devon Brookshire [USA] | Anissa Pounds [FIN]: both PeKa – Finland, D1 | Lesila Finau [USA/TGA]: Veilchen BG74 – Germany, D1

Outs: Sam Ashby [AUS/UK]: Angels – Germany, D1 | Terri Battle [USA] | Abigail Rafferty [IRL] | Ella Fotu [NZL/UK] (not returning)

Key signing: Finnish international Anissa Pounds was Finals MVP domestically last season and brings European experience to the squad – alongside Devon Brookshire as they won the title together. Also, bringing back Danni McCray for a second season is a major boost for the Wolves.

One to watch: Teresa Da Silva returns to the UK for a second season as a pro after stints in Iceland and Romania last season. The guard has already been part of the GB senior setup and has a chance to really shine on one of the strongest teams in the league.

Outlook: Two trophies highlighted the club’s most successful season, and it could have been even better with Finals defeats in the other two competitions. Sam Ashby – arguably their best player last season – has departed to Germany, but Oaklands have retained the majority of their core and made some astute additions as they look set to challenge on all fronts once more.

Sheffield Hatters

Last season: 17-3 (2nd) – Championship; Winners – Playoffs; SF – Trophy; RU – Cup

Returning: Georgia Gayle | Shauna Harrison | Emma Gandini [AUS] | Nina Krisper [AUT] (all re-signed)

Ins: Marina Fernandez [ESP]: Durham Palatinates | Grace Graham [AUS]: Pakenham Warriors – Australia, Big V | Cheyenne Stubbs [USA]: Utah State – USA, NCAA D1 | Megan Mullings [USA]: Launceston Tornadoes – Australia, NBL 1 | Antoinette Lewis [USA]: Zagreb – Croatia, D1

Outs: Tyia Singleton [USA]: PAS Giannina – Italy, D1 | Destinee Walker [USA] | Nija Collier [USA] (not returning)

Key signing: It’s a return to the league for Antoinette Lewis after impressing in a previous spell with Newcastle Eagles in the 2022-23 campaign. Lewis has an imposing presence under the basket and will free up attention elsewhere with the Hatters’ strong perimeter shooters.

One to watch: Cheyenne Stubbs arrives with a lot of pedigree with the free-scoring guard averaging 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in a final college year at Utah State last season. Look out for the rookie to make her mark on the league.

Outlook: The Hatters finished the season in style by securing the Playoffs title at The O2, and appear to be well stacked for another strong campaign. They have made some big signings as well as bringing back a key core and will feel anything less than a trophy or two will be disappointing.

The teams have been split into two groups (North + South) of five for the Betty Codona Trophy to open the season’s action, while the regular season commences at the start of November.

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