MK Breakers U16 Girls player Athena Thompson has been named Basketball England’s Under 16 Girls National Player of the Year for 2023.
15-year-old Thompson won the award largely based on her performances for Great Britain at the U16 European Championships last summer. During the tournament, Athena averaged 14 points per game (5th in the tournament), totalling 98 points across 7 games, helping GB to a 6th place finish.
Thompson is also a standout performer for the Breakers U16 Girls team, who are yet to taste defeat in the league this season. The team currently sit at the top of the U16 Girls Northern Premier league with a perfect 7-0 win-loss record and recently finished runners-up in the National Cup.
In addition to her commitments with the Breakers U16 team, Athena has recently joined Leicester Riders women, who compete in the Women’s British Basketball League. Athena will play for both teams for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Thompson becomes the second MK Breakers junior player to win such an award, with Kofi Asare claiming the Basketball England U16 Boys National Player of the Year in 2022.
Thompson spoke of her delight to pick up the prestigious award, “Winning the U16 Girls National Player of the Year is such an honour. Being recognised makes me proud and pushes me to keep striving and achieve my goals.”
MK Breakers General Manager Josh Merrington spoke on Thompson winning the award, “Everyone at the MK Breakers is extremely proud of Athena being named National Player of the Year. She is a very talented player with huge potential, and most importantly an outstanding work ethic. The award is well deserved and Athena has a bright future ahead of her.”
