LIVERPOOL, England, September 2, 2026 — British basketball has a long history of making big promises about global prestige, only to fall back on shoestring budgets and transient rosters. But if you want to prove a brand-new franchise is actually serious, hiring the most experienced NBA coach in the history of the British game is a massive statement.
Kings Dock Sports Group Limited officially announced today that veteran NBA coach Roy Rogers will serve as the first-ever head coach of Liverpool Basketball.
The appointment comes right as the club prepares for its inaugural season in Super League Basketball (SLB), the top-flight British league formed back in 2024.
Owner Jason Dolan—an American sports investor best known for founding The Atlanta Cup tennis showcase—isn’t hiding his ambition.
Landing a coach with nearly two decades of bench experience in the pros is a clear sign Liverpool wants to compete for European hardware, not just hang out in the domestic middle class.
Rogers arrives on the Merseyside waterfront with a serious basketball resume. Selected in the first round of the legendary 1996 NBA Draft alongside Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash, Rogers played four seasons in the league before embarking on a twenty-year coaching career.
His resume includes stops as defensive coordinator for the Portland Trail Blazers, plus assistant stints with the Clippers, Rockets, Bulls, and Nets alongside coaching icons like Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni.
“From my first conversation with Jason, it was clear this club is being built the right way, from the ground up,” Rogers stated in the club’s official announcement. “This is a city with real passion, real pride, and real sporting pedigree. Our team is going to play with an edge that this city will recognize as its own.”
Here is what the immediate rollout looks like for the new Liverpool franchise:
- Assistant Bench: Former Yorkshire Dragons head coach Paul Cantwell joins Rogers as chief assistant.
- Home Venue: Games will be hosted at the 11,000-capacity M&S Bank Arena on the Kings Dock waterfront.
- Home Debut: Set for October 4, 2026, against regional rival Manchester.
- Global Broadcasts: SLB matches will stream internationally via DAZN.
Playing inside an 11,000-seat arena like M&S Bank Arena gives Liverpool one of the best domestic footprints in the UK.
If Rogers can translate his NBA defensive principles to the British court, Liverpool Basketball might actually turn Merseyside into a legit hoops destination.
Fans looking for ticketing details and team updates can check out the official Liverpool Basketball hub.
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