Devon’s local population is discovering basketball

Amy Fenton
Authored by Amy Fenton
Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - 15:18

In England, people adore sport. Devon is no different, with fans from the county following football clubs all over the country and indulging in other sports. For example, many people get behind Torquay United, while Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle are also Devon-based clubs. Likewise, many supporters of Premier League clubs reside in the country.

Football isn’t the only sport Devon’s people are passionate about, though. Basketball is now experiencing notable growth in England. As Sport England’s Active Lives survey shows, participation in the sport of basketball is up all over the country among both youngsters and adults. We could also see the NBA come to England shortly, with the organization expected to announce plans to host games here.

It should come as no surprise either, with the NBA now a global sport that can easily be watched in England. Fans can tune in for the most significant encounters; podcasts and YouTube channels are dedicated to it, and fans can make the most of other options, such as gaming and betting on the action after looking at the latest NBA odds. The options are extensive as basketball continues to experience growth in England.

Devon’s basketball clubs are playing their part.

With basketball now making giant strides in England, some of Devon’s basketball clubs are playing their part in the sport’s overall growth in the country. For Devon’s local population of basketball fanatics, there are some well-run clubs to watch and play for. For example, Exeter Spartans Basketball Club has attracted fans and players in recent years. Torbay Tigers Basketball Club also offers excellent coaching for all age groups. Additional options like Plymouth Basketball Club are also making their mark, with a strong interest in playing for the club. With other clubs contributing to the sport’s overall rise in the county of Devon and England, basketball looks set to stay and continue its rise in England.

The benefits of playing basketball

There are also some clear benefits associated with playing the sport of basketball. Given its team aspect, there are plenty of social gatherings people can experience alongside the action on the court. Be it before a game or after, players and fans can assemble to talk about their love of the sport and form friendships. Additionally, basketball helps people get fit and healthy; it’s known to combat stress, improve hand-eye coordination, and build muscle strength. Overall, basketball’s benefits are vast.

Shoot with great form

Above all else, though, basketball is a fun game to participate in. Given its end-to-end nature and team aspect, people can immerse themselves in a social sport with much to offer. As participation numbers have shown, there is an appetite for the sport in the country as more and more people continue to discover it.

Could we see any professional players from Devon in the future?

As locations like Devon continue to offer basketball for people to play, we could even see some future NBA professionals representing the county on the biggest stage. After all, the UK already has several professionals who play their trade in the NBA. The most successful names are probably Luol Deng and John Amaechi.

The latter was raised in Stockport and played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and New York Knicks, while Deng was a two-time NBA All-Star. Robert Archibald, Steve Bucknall, Tosan Evbuomwan, Joel Freeland, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Michael Olowakandi, and Jeremy Sochan have also shown that it can be done.