| Plymouth Raiders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| League | NBL Division 3 | ||
| Established | 1983 (established) 2023 (reformed) | ||
| History | Plymouth Raiders (1983–2021, 2023–present) | ||
| Arena | Plymouth Life Centre | ||
| Capacity | 400 | ||
| Location | Plymouth, Devon | ||
| Team colours | Green, White, Orange, Black | ||
| Head coach | Gareth Laws | ||
| Ownership | Ross Mackenzie | ||
| Website | plymouthraiders.com | ||
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Plymouth Raiders are a basketball team based in Plymouth, England, currently competing in Division 3 of the National Basketball League.[1]
Founded in 1983 through a merger between two local basketball clubs, Raiders were a formidable force within the National Basketball League throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, winning no less than six national trophies between 1996 and 2004 including three National Basketball League Play-off titles, two Division 1 league titles and the National Cup in 2004.[2]
After years of dominating the second-tier National Basketball League (later rebranded to English Basketball League in 2003), the Raiders moved to the franchise-based professional British Basketball League (BBL) in 2004, playing amongst the United Kingdom's elite teams. Their only silverware in the top-tier came in 2007, winning the BBL Trophy, though the team would reach three further BBL Trophy finals and two BBL Cup finals between 2009 and 2021, without further success.
The Raiders announced their withdrawal from the British Basketball League following the 2020–21 season attributing to increasing rental costs of their long-time home venue, the Plymouth Pavilions,[3]
After a two year hiatus, Raiders announced their relaunch in 2023, entering as a new addition of the National Basketball League for the 2023–24 season, featuring in Division 3.[4]
- ^ "Plymouth Raiders to return to National Basketball League". BBC. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Plymouth Raiders Marketing Brochure". Yumpu.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Plymouth Raiders pull out of BBL". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Plymouth Raiders back in national league and will play at Life Centre". plymouthherald.co.uk. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.