From Showcase to System
The Kings of the Court Journey and the Vision Behind Next Play UK
British basketball has never lacked talent — but for too long, it’s lacked structure.
That’s where the evolution of Kings of the Court and Next Play UK comes in — a partnership designed to turn potential into pathways, highlight reels into careers, and passion into professional opportunity.
The Origin — Culture Meets Competition
When Kings of the Court launched, it filled a gap that players and fans had long felt. It wasn’t just another tournament — it was a statement.
High-level competition, elite athletes, and the culture of British basketball brought together under one spotlight.
At the centre of it all was Frank Batimba, the founder and coach whose work through Positive Role Models CIC gave young people more than game time — it gave them guidance. KOTC became a stage for excellence and a safe space for mentorship, energy, and aspiration.
The Turning Point — From Event to Ecosystem
As the competition grew, one truth became clear: the UK needed more than moments — it needed a system.
A place where players could grow across a season, where clubs could connect, where scouts could trust the standard, and where development didn’t end at U18.
That’s the vision Next Play UK brought to the table — transforming Kings of the Court’s annual showcase into part of a bigger framework.
Alongside the new Next Play UK League, a series of regional KOTC tournaments in London, the Midlands and the North now act as the national entry point — discovering talent, fuelling local rivalries, and feeding the league with the best emerging players from across the country.
Together, the partnership is creating a league-ready structure that combines competition, media, and mentorship — aligning with what’s already proven successful in models like Overtime Elite and European U21 systems.
The Philosophy — Basketball with Purpose
The foundation of the project is built on three principles:
Performance — raising the standard of play through structured league competition and elite coaching.
Development — ensuring every athlete learns, grows, and prepares for the next level on and off the floor.
Visibility — showcasing British talent through storytelling, analytics, and exposure across modern digital platforms.
It’s basketball with a purpose — a movement built to serve the next generation of athletes and the communities that raised them.
The Future — Building the Next Era of UK Basketball
The upcoming season marks the start of something new —
the Next Play UK League, powered by the branding and competitive fire of Kings of the Court, and grounded in the mentorship model of Positive Role Models.
The regional tournaments remain a permanent part of the system — three high-profile events that spotlight talent in every corner of the country and lead directly into the summer league selection process. They’re the foundation of a year-round calendar that connects discovery, development, and elite competition.
It’s the next evolution in British basketball — structured fixtures, real-time performance analysis, and personal development programmes running side by side, combining competition with growth.
The vision is long-term — building a bridge between U18 Premier, Men’s Divisions, and future U21 development — creating a pathway the UK has been missing for far too long.
“This is about creating a structure where talent doesn’t disappear after school,” says a Next Play UK spokesperson. “It’s about giving our players the platform to stay, play, and progress here in the UK.”
With Kings of the Court’s cultural roots and Next Play UK’s strategic vision, British basketball is finally ready for the infrastructure it deserves.
This isn’t just the next tournament — it’s the next chapter.
Next Play UK × Kings of the Court
Building the system the game has been waiting for.