The Derby Trailblazers are an English semi-professional basketball club based in Derby, Derbyshire. The club was founded in 2000 as a feeder club for the now-defunct Derby Storm, and wear the same blue and white colours as their predecessor. The Trailblazers currently compete in NBL Division 1, the second tier of the British basketball system.

History

The Trailblazers were founded in 2000 to give local players access to competitive women's and junior basketball teams after the city's professional outfit, Derby Storm, ended their equivalent programmes to focus on their professional team, which was then competing in the British Basketball League. After the Storm withdrew in 2002, the Trailblazers added men's basketball to their offering, and started to gradually work their way up the English Basketball League. Only a few years after entering the National League, the Trailblazers were crowned NBL Division Two champions in 2007, and were promoted to Division One for the 2007-08 season.[citation needed]

The team were successful in the second tier of British basketball, with the Trailblazers crowned Division One champions in 2010, and winning the National Trophy in 2012, beating Bristol Academy Flyers 87-60 in the final. This success was hard to sustain though, with the team winning only six league games in the 2012-13 season, and suffering relegation back to Division Two as a result. The Trailblazers won promotion back to Division One at the first attempt as Division Two champions with a game to spare.

Honours

Division 1 League Champions (1): 2009-10, 2023-24

Division 2 League Champions (2): 2006-07, 2013-14

Division 2 Playoff Champions (1): 2013-14

National Trophy Champions (1): 2011-12

Division 3 Playoff Champions (1): 2004-05

Division 3 North League Champions (1): 2004-05

Men's team

Current roster

Derby Trailblazers 25-26 roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. G 0 Great Britain men's national basketball team Burr, Casey 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) F 3 Canada men's national basketball team Great Britain men's national basketball team Walker, Mo 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) G 4 Great Britain men's national basketball team Brown, Charlie 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) F 5 Great Britain men's national basketball team Pastor, George 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) F 7 Great Britain men's national basketball team May-Thompson, Raheem 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) F 9 United States men's national basketball team Smith, Malcolm 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) G 12 Great Britain men's national basketball team Norman, Elias 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) G 13 Great Britain men's national basketball team Washington, Conner 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) F 14 Great Britain men's national basketball team Lawrence, Elliot 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) G 22 Great Britain men's national basketball team Pathmarajah, Jai 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) F 30 Great Britain men's national basketball team Marsden, Rob 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)Head coach United Kingdom Kyle Henderson Assistant coach(es) United Kingdom Jake Chapman Legend (C) Team captainInjured
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G0Great Britain men's national basketball teamBurr, Casey6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
F3Canada men's national basketball team Great Britain men's national basketball teamWalker, Mo6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
G4Great Britain men's national basketball teamBrown, Charlie6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
F5Great Britain men's national basketball teamPastor, George6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
F7Great Britain men's national basketball teamMay-Thompson, Raheem6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
F9United States men's national basketball teamSmith, Malcolm6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
G12Great Britain men's national basketball teamNorman, Elias6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
G13Great Britain men's national basketball teamWashington, Conner6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
F14Great Britain men's national basketball teamLawrence, Elliot6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
G22Great Britain men's national basketball teamPathmarajah, Jai6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
F30Great Britain men's national basketball teamMarsden, Rob6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)

Notable former players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Criteria
To appear in this section a player must have either: Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

Season-by-season records

SeasonDivisionTierRegular SeasonPost-SeasonNational CupDiv. League Cup
FinishPlayedWinsLossesPoints
Derby Trailblazers
2002-03D2 Nor46th1871114Did not qualifyDid not compete
2003-04D3 Nor43rd2214828Semi-final1st round2nd round
2004-05D3 Nor41st1614228WinnersDid not compete
2005-06D234th22111122Semi-finalSemi-final
2006-07D231st2219338Semi-finalDid not compete
2007-08D126th1881016Semi-final1st round1st round
2008-09D128th1851310Quarter-finalQuarter-final1st round
2009-10D121st2217534Runner-upSemi-finalSemi-final
2010-11D128th1861212Quarter-finalSemi-finalQuarter-final
2011-12D123rd2416832Runner-upQuarter-finalWinners
2012-13D1213th2662012Did not qualifyQuarter-finalQuarter-final
2013-14D231st2017334WinnersQuarter-finalSemi-final
2014-15D122nd2417734Semi-finalQuarter-finalSemi-final
2015-16D122nd2619738Semi-finalSemi-finalPool stage
2016-17D124th26161032Quarter-finalSemi-finalPool stage
2017-18D1212th2461812Did not qualify4th roundPool stage
2018-19D125th26151130Quarter-final3rd roundPool stage
2019-20D123rd2316735No playoffsQuarter-finals
2020-21D124th1914528Quarter-finalsNo competition
2021-22D123rd2619738Quarter-finalsQuarter-finals
2022-23D123rd2619738Semi-finalsRunners-Up
2023-24D121st2420440Semi-finals
2024-25D122nd2417734Semi-finalsSemi-finals

Record in BBL competitions

SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAway
2015–16BBL TrophyR1Sheffield SharksL 67-84
2016–17BBL TrophyR1Newcastle EaglesL 67-100
2020–21BBL TrophyR1Solent KestrelsL 73-101

Honours

Division 1 League Champions (1): 2009-10

Division 2 League Champions (2): 2006-07, 2013-14

Division 2 Playoff Champions (1): 2013-14

National Trophy Champions (1): 2011-12

Division 3 Playoff Champions (1): 2004-05

Division 3 North League Champions (1): 2004-05

See also

External links