Reading_Rockets
Reading Rockets
English semi-professional basketball club
The Reading Rockets are an English semi-professional basketball club based in the town of Reading, England. Founded in 1997, the Rockets compete in NBL Division 1, the second tier of the British basketball system.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2019) |
| Reading Rockets | |
|---|---|
 | |
| League | NBL Division 1 |
| Established | 1997; 27 years ago (1997) |
| History | Reading Rockets (1997–present) |
| Arena | Loddon Valley Leisure Centre |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Location | Reading, Berkshire |
| Team colours | |
| Head coach | Samit Nuruzade |
| Ownership | Gary Johnson, Helen Johnson |
| Website | Official website |
The Rockets were formed in 1997[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]
In 2022, the Rockets applied to join the British Basketball League starting from the 2023–24 season.[4]
Honours
- Men's National League Division 1 League Champions (3): 2008/2009, 2012/13, 2013/14
- Men's National Cup Winners (3): 2004/05, 2008/09, 2013/14
- 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 roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Samit Nurazade
Matt Johnson, Dave Titmuss
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable former players
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.
| Criteria |
|---|
|
To appear in this section a player must have either:
|
E.J. Harrison
Adam Kelly- Ted Smith
- Tyrell Smith
- David Watts
- Niko Scott
- Ryan Lohfink[5]
- 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 | Kitking 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 | ||||
Record in BBL 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 |
Honours
- Women's National League Division 2 Champions (1): 2013/14
- Women's National League Division 2 South West Champions (1): 2015/16 1
Current roster
| Reading Rockets roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Joan Portero Luque
Jose Sanchez
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable former players
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.
| Criteria |
|---|
|
To appear in this section a player must have either:
|
- Cat Lutz-Sadler
- Steph Johnson
Maike Delow
Carmen Segura Moreno- Sitota Gines Espinosa
Staff
Former head coaches
| Coach | From | To | Total Games | RS Won | RS Lost | PO Won | PO Lost | Total Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Thorne | 2010/11 | 2015/16 | 86 | 65 | 15 | - | 0.755 | |
 Patrick Fasbender | 2016/17 | 2016/2017 | 20 | 6 | 14 | - | - | 0.3 |
| David Sanchez de la Torre | 2017/18 | 2019/2020 | 40 | 22 | 18 | - | - | 0.55 |
| Joan Luque Portero | 2019/20 | Present | 63 | 30 | 33 | - | - | 0.476 |
Season-by-season records
| Season | Division | Position | Played | Won | Lost | Points | Play-offs | National Trophy |
National Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Rockets Senior Women | |||||||||
| 2022–2023 | D1 | 4th | 16 | 11 | 5 | 22 | - | - | Runners-up |
| 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.
- "Company details". UK Data. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- "Reading Rockets apply to join British Basketball League". getReading. 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- "History of Reading Rockets Basketball Club". Reading Rockets. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- "Update: Rockets BBL Application | Reading Rockets". Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- "Ryan Lohfink Leaves Rockets after 5 years". 25 May 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
