Roy Rogers named first head coach of Liverpool Basketball ahead of SLB debut

# What happened

Liverpool Basketball announced Roy Rogers as the club's first head coach ahead of its inaugural season in Super League Basketball (SLB). The appointment positions Rogers to set coaching standards for a newly launched professional team representing Liverpool.

# Who Roy Rogers is

Rogers has a long coaching résumé in the NBA and related professional leagues. His recent positions include an assistant coaching role at the University of Memphis and a four-season tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers (2021–25), where he served as defensive coordinator. Earlier NBA stops on his coaching path included the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. He began coaching in the NBA Development League in 2004.

Before coaching, Rogers was a first-round pick in the 1996 NBA Draft out of the University of Alabama. He played four NBA seasons with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets, then continued his playing career internationally, including a season with CSKA Moscow.

# Club context and staff

Liverpool are the newest SLB franchise, returning top-flight professional men's basketball to the city. Jason Dolan, Liverpool Basketball's owner, said bringing a coach of Rogers' calibre was paramount for the club's inaugural season and for building a team that represents Liverpool to high standards.

Paul Cantwell has been named an assistant coach. Cantwell previously served as head coach of the Yorkshire Dragons in British Championship Basketball (BCB).

# What Rogers said

Rogers described the appointment as a rare career opportunity to be the first head coach in Liverpool Basketball history and to set the standard for what follows. He said the city has "real passion, real pride, and real sporting pedigree," and that the team will "play with an edge" the city will recognise.

# Immediate timeline

Liverpool's home debut under Rogers is scheduled for 4 October at the M&S Bank Arena against Manchester. The hire comes after the club's formal announcement of becoming the SLB's 10th franchise earlier in August 2026.

# Why this matters for Liverpool and the SLB

# What to watch next

• British basketball infrastructure.
• The roster construction ahead of the season and how the coaching staff integrates local and international talent.
• Attendance and fan engagement at the M&S Bank Arena for the 4 October home debut.