Basketball

Our men's basketball programme provides a fantastic environment for elite and developing players. Coached by a current professional basketball player for Derby Trailblazers, our players have the opportunity to compete at a high level in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). 

Stirring up success

Team Derby is striving to continually improve the programme and its individual athletes each year. The 2019/2020 season was highly successful with the men’s first team finishing top of Division 1A.

The city of Derby has a successful national league programme, Derby Trailblazers and many of the athletes have competed for the University and at a national league level while studying.

Register your interest in basketball

Basketball support services

Our basketball scholars

Our men's and women's basketball teams include scholars such as Oscar Ruiz and Ronald Oberia.

Oscar Ruiz is an international MSc Marketing Management student. He has played at the highest youth national level in France and then continued to play to a high level as he progressed in his career. Oscar then decided to travel to the UK, where he studies part-time.

For applicants who want to focus on their sports more than full-time study would allow, part-time scholarships are available.

Oscar Ruiz wearing a Team Derby t shirt, smiling.

I feel supported by the coaching staff, the facilities are amazing and you have access to sport-specific strength and conditioning sessions designed for your sport. I hope my experience will encourage others to study in the UK as I don't regret my choice.

Oscar Ruiz
Basketball Scholar
Basketball scholar, Ronald Oberia, holding a basketball, smiling.

Inspiring the next generation of basketball players

Ronald is studying BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering with Built Infrastructure. At the age of 16, he joined the City of Birmingham Rockets club. He has made a significant contribution to basketball in Derby and now competes for Derby Trailblazers in the National Basketball League.

Learn more about Ronald's journeyLearn more about Ronald's journey

Head Coach: Ryan Bruggeman

Ryan joined Team Derby this year. He is a Minnesota native and All American at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he graduated. After that, he turned pro and played in Bosnia and Spain before landing in Derby to play for the Derby Trailblazers. Ryan is excited to bring his wealth of experience into his role as head coach within our basketball performance programme.

If you would like to find out more about the programme, please contact sportsscholars@derby.ac.uk  

Register your interest in Performance Sport

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