Teesside Lions' 15-year-old basketball prodigy, Jaydon Wise-Malcolm, has been invited to the prestigious U16 Great Britain combine, where Coach Dan Petts will assemble his roster for the upcoming European Championships. Players on the talent pathway are identified initially via the Aspire programme and successful players are invited to combines to be put through their paces by the Great Britain coaching team.

The call-up is a testament to Wise-Malcolm's meteoric rise in the sport and his dominance at both U16 and U18 levels this season. 

Standing at an impressive 6’7”, Wise-Malcolm has turned heads across the league with his exceptional mobility, athleticism, and skill set. Despite having only played basketball for less than two years, his rapid development with the Teesside Lions has positioned him as one of the brightest young talents in the country. 

The youngster, from Northallerton turns 16 in March, and attends Bedale High.

Wise-Malcolm’s performances this season have been nothing short of outstanding. His ability to influence games on both ends of the court, coupled with his versatility as a wing player, has made him a nightmare for opponents. Whether driving to the hoop, shooting from the perimeter, or anchoring the defence, Jaydon has consistently delivered game-changing contributions. 

His invitation to the Great Britain combine is not only a personal milestone but also a significant achievement for the Teesside Lions programme. It highlights the growing recognition of players from outside the Prem League setup, proving that talent can thrive in any environment when nurtured effectively.

Teesside Lions’ coaching staff have been instrumental in Jaydon’s development, helping him refine his raw potential into polished performances. His invitation follows in the footsteps of fellow Lions’ standout Oscar Mahoney, who has represented England. Other players such as Charlie McKenna who currently plays for Charnwood, and Ben Grimes, who is dominating U18, Bede College, Durham Mens League and enjoying his second year as a member of the men’s National League squad are forging the way of emerging talent on Teesside. This season the club sent 37 players to the Aspire Regional trials.

Lions Director of Coaching James Thomson is very proud of the young star and believes it epitomises the opportunity to develop and be recognised as an elite basketball player outside of the Prem. James said:

“First of all, Jaydon is a great person, and a credit to his family. He has worked hard to get to where he is, and this call up represents a proud moment for himself and his family, but also our club. We are also very proud of him.

“We have had International success with Oscar Mahoney representing England. We have also had a former player in Charlie McKenna represent Scotland, but to have Jaydon called up with the potential to represent Great Britain is very exciting and testament to the junior development programme we have here at Teesside.

“For Jaydon, we are only scratching the surface of his true potential. There is a lot more to come in the next three plus years.”

Jaydon has nurtured his game with a number of coaches at Lions. Current U16 Coach Ryan Weir, along with Lions men’s & U18 Coach Serge Bojev join James in shaping the youngster with support from U16 assistant coach Chris Rhodes, and all can be proud of a monumental achievement for the player and club.

“We are fortunate to have a number of high-level coaches at the club who dedicate their time to develop young players.” Added James.

Coach Weir has taken the lead with Jaydon this season as the U16 Head Coach and has done a great job of taking him to another level. Coach Bojev has brought Jaydon into the U18s where he has also dominated, and even called up to the senior men’s team where he has enjoyed active involvement.

Ryan, who joined the club coaching team mid way through last season has heaped praise on Jaydon, stating: “Jaydon is a driven and talented individual with a pure love for the game. Witnessing his development in just his second season of basketball has been quite incredible.

“He possesses great natural instincts that will be enhanced, as his knowledge and understanding of the game continues to build. As a coach I have worked with some great young talent, but never a player that shocks me with the individual feats of athleticism as often as Jaydon does. His talent is bright and shining, but his future is even brighter.”

Speaking on the achievement, Lions’ head coach Serge Bojev said: 

"Jaydon’s growth over the past two years has been very impressive. He’s a prime example of what can be achieved with hard work, determination, and the right guidance. Being invited to the Great Britain team is well-deserved recognition of his talent. He has what it takes to be very successful and we are happy to have him here and help him develop.”

Wise-Malcolm’s success story is inspiring for aspiring basketball players across the UK, particularly those who may feel overlooked outside the traditional basketball powerhouses. His rise underscores the importance of grassroots development and the value of opportunities provided by clubs like Teesside Lions, where talented players have an opportunity to play multiple age groups and be considered for the men’s programme.

For Jaydon, the focus now shifts to the GB combine, where he will compete against the country’s best young players for a spot on the European Championship roster. His size, athleticism, and skill will undoubtedly make him a strong candidate for selection. 

Reflecting on the opportunity, Wise-Malcolm said: 

"I’m grateful for this chance to represent Teesside and show what I can do on an International stage. The Lions have been amazing in helping me grow as a player, and I owe everything to the club. I’m excited to take the next step in my journey and hope to do well. It is such an honour to have been invited to the Great Britain combine and I won’t take anything for granted. This is just the beginning, and I’m ready to give it my all."

The Teesside Lions community will be eagerly following Jaydon’s progress as he takes this significant step in his young career. With his talent, work ethic, and determination, Wise-Malcolm is poised to continue making waves in British basketball and beyond.