Supporting the next generation of Ipswich Basketball

If you have even a passing interest in local sport, it’s hard to miss the rise of Ipswich Basketball. From national success at junior level to consistent performances across the senior leagues, the club has firmly established itself as one of the most successful basketball programmes in the country.

But behind those headline achievements sits a quieter success story: the Playground2Pro (P2P) community basketball project, proudly sponsored by Scrutton Bland.

The initiative is designed to introduce young people across Ipswich and south Suffolk to basketball, inspire long-term participation and identify future talent.

Each week, professional coaches deliver Playground2Pro sessions in seven local schools, both during the school day and through after-school clubs. Alongside this, the programme runs three weekly community sessions catering for beginners and more advanced players, plus dedicated elite skills sessions for those showing particular promise. In total, over 600 young people now take part in Playground2Pro activity every week.

But the benefits extend well beyond the basketball court. The programme promotes teamwork, discipline and confidence, encouraging young people to listen, learn and commit to regular activity. For many participants, the structure and sense of belonging provided by sport can be genuinely life-changing.

Like in the case of Benjamin Michaels…

A quick search for Benjamin in January 2026, brings up headlines about a six-foot-eight forward competing at NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division One level, having recently transferred from the University of Buffalo to the University of Vermont.

At just 20 years old, the Ipswich-born player has already represented Great Britain at Under-18 and Under-20 level and is widely tipped as a future GB Senior Men’s international, with a professional career firmly in his sights.

But what those headlines don’t show is where it all began.

Benjamin grew up in Ipswich and first picked up a basketball at Britannia Primary School, during a curriculum-time session delivered by the Playground2Pro Community Basketball Project. Like many local children, he then attended sessions before, during and after school, learning the basics of the game in a supportive, inclusive environment.

And as his talent began to emerge, Benjamin was identified and invited to attend the Playground2Pro Centre of Excellence – the first stepping stone into higher levels of basketball in Ipswich. He still keeps this invitation letter at his family home and describes receiving it as one of the most important moments of his life.

From there, his development accelerated. When Benjamin attended Copleston High School, he began playing for Ipswich Basketball Club at under-12 level and progressed through every age group, eventually representing the senior men’s team. He also became a key member of the Copleston Basketball Academy from the age of 15.

At 18, Benjamin made the decision to move to the United States to attend Long Island Lutheran High School in New York – one of the country’s top-ranked basketball programmes – to pursue his dream of playing basketball professionally.

His success in New York then led to recruitment by the University of Buffalo, and now the University of Vermont.

Benjamin’s journey is a powerful example of how grassroots sport can change lives.

“I have so many people to thank for where I am. But without question, it all started with that letter inviting me to the Playground2Pro Centre of Excellence. It changed the whole trajectory of my life.”

Who are Playground2Pro?

Playground2Pro continues to be a pathway for talent development, with its popular holiday camps often a starting place for many, and talent camps that can attract up to 50 players a day.  And with close links to Ipswich Basketball Club and regional and national basketball leagues, players can continue their basketball journey at a level that suits them.

Sessions are delivered by highly respected coaches including Nick Drane – the community’s founder and the 2023 Basketball England National Coach of the Year – and Harriet Welham, Ipswich Women’s captain and professional player. Their involvement provides young players with inspirational role models who demonstrate what dedication and opportunity can achieve.

As Nick explains:

“Our aim is to grow a passion for one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and provide young people with positive opportunities. The support of Scrutton Bland has helped us bring basketball to thousands of young people and it’s a true example of community support in action.”

We’re thrilled that our sponsorship has played such a key role in enabling Playground2Pro to grow and thrive. Over the last ten years, participation in basketball locally has trebled, while the programme has also created employment opportunities for Ipswich-based sports professionals.

So, if you or someone you know would like to give basketball a try; or if you’d like to get involved with sponsorship opportunities, then visit playground2pro.co.uk to find out how.