York College have been crowned the AoC (Association of Colleges) Yorkshire & Humber Basketball Men’s League Two champions.
The class of 2025/26 won 13 of their 14 league games and, during a stellar season, also reached the last 16 of the National AoC Championships for a second successive season before being knocked out by Loughborough College.
Their success represents a remarkable achievement for a team that, in four years, has grown from a squad of just seven to a roster of 16 players who train up to three games a week and play fixtures every Wednesday afternoon as part of the college’s Basketball Development Centre.
The players participate in analysis sessions and team exercises, too, alongside their studies on campus under the watchful eye of coach Tyler Paton-Pottage – a former York College student and basketball player himself who coaches at York Eagles and was named Basketball England’s Player Development Coach of the Year for Yorkshire last month.
As part of the college’s partnership with the National Basketball League club, four players in the talented team – captain Lukai Ostrowski, Travis Greening, Emilis Vaiciulis and Eddy Wragg – also helped the Eagles’ Under-18 side win the North Conference 1 title, earning them promotion to the top-tier Northern Premier.
The Eagles are also launching an Under-23 team that will compete in the National League’s Division Three North next season, offering a pathway into senior basketball for current and future students who impress during their time with the College Development Centre.
On the team’s success, Coach Tyler said:
I’m very proud. Last year, we came second and missed out on the title by one win but, this year, we’ve practiced harder, upped the levels and it’s been a really good season.
Our standards have been high and never dropped. The one game we lost was only by five points and that was mainly because the other team were on fire that day.
Winning the league title means the team will now play a better standard of basketball in 2026/27 and Tyler hopes that will appeal to high-calibre players from further afield, as they confirm their post-16 education options and destination this summer.
Tyler added:
I hope promotion means that players from all around the region and places like Leeds and Hull will be attracted to look at York College as a destination not only to study, but to combine that with basketball.
With the York Eagles link, there are definitely opportunities for College players to grow through the sport and development is at the heart of what we are trying to do.
To demonstrate the team’s high standards, the champions pushed an older and more experienced York College Alumnus All-Stars side all the way in a recent narrow 78-72 loss.
After that match, the team’s end-of-year award presentations were made with Ostrowski named Most Valuable Player following a season in which he broke the York College record for points scored in a single game with 53 against John Leggott College.
Jenson Edgar (Most Improved Player), Charlie Wright (Defensive Player of the Year) and Brandon Garforth Coaches’ Player of the Year were also recognised for their individual efforts.
