Russell Levenston: Nottingham Hoods co-owner outlines ambitious plans

After his long association with a Riders side who have constantly been among the title contenders at the top of the British game, Levenston’s involvement with a Nottingham team who have never competed at that level has come as a major boost for the ambitious outfit.

The Hoods were founded in 2009, and since the 2017-18 season they have played in the top division of National Basketball League – Britain’s second-tier competition behind Super League Basketball, which was previously known as the British Basketball League.

They have established themselves as a professional outfit who play and train at the Nottingham Wildcats Arena – the venue belonging to the team that play in Women’s Super League Basketball.

The Hoods have got off to a difficult start to the season and sit second from bottom in their league, while East Midlands rivals Derby Trailblazers – a club looking to reclaim elite status – are second in the table after 10 games.

There is no promotion and relegation between the NBL and SBL, however, with the top flight based on a franchise system.

Levenston says “patience” will be key for the Hoods and insists the club remain Nottingham’s “best kept secret”.

“It took me a lot longer to lay the foundations at Leicester, and a lot of that experience and those lessons learned has helped put us ahead of where would have been,” Levenston said.

“I have a five-year plan that will bring top-flight basketball to Nottingham that will hopefully have us competing at the highest level.

“I have the ambitions of taking the team into Europe in the future, and that is more like the 10-year plan.”