Leicester Riders’ Charles Thompson has been named Super League Basketball Defensive Player of the Year!
The award, voted by coaches, captains and media members, goes to the most outstanding defensive player of the season.
Thompson was the league’s leader in blocks with 2.5 per game this season. The American ranks 14th all-time in top-flight British basketball history for blocks per game, and his 80 blocks on the year are tied for 13th most all-time in a league season.
He smashed Riders’ top-flight British basketball blocks record in his first season with the club. Thompson’s blocks per game bettered Jimmy Brandon’s 2.0 average in 1988/89, and his blocks total was 20 more than TrayVonn Wright’s 60 in 2015/16.
In his rookie season, Thompson recorded a season-high 7 blocks twice, against London Lions in April and Bristol Flyers in March. He blocked five or more shots on five occasions, and blocked a shot in 23 of 32 games in the league season.
Many tried. Many failed.
— Leicester Riders | Basketball (@RidersBball) May 7, 2025
Not in @CThompson_19's househttps://t.co/O60w7ZxMV9 pic.twitter.com/CGB2ixIQzq
Thompson said, “It’s an honour to be named the Defensive Player of the Year. I’ve always made defence my calling card, and it’s something I take pride in.
“In basketball, people can get caught up in the stats and the flashier parts of the game. I’m quick to remind people that there are two sides of the ball and they are equally important. I’m grateful to be recognised by my peers and am thankful that my hard work has paid off.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added, “Charles had a spectacular rookie season. His defence from day one made an incredible impact on any game we played, and his improvement as an overall player was exciting to watch.
“His personality and energy is as valuable as any statistic he could possibly put up.”
The news follows Thompson being named to the Defensive Team of the Year, Riley Abercrombie being named to the British Team of the Year, and Thompson and Zach Jackson making the Team of the Year last week.
In addition, Ethan Wright was voted Sixth Player of the Year for his efforts off the bench this season.
