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18 November 2025  3 min read

Academy Spotlight - HHS Reading Rockets' Nick Dent

We kick things off with HHS Reading Rockets' Nick Dent, finding out more about his plans, his goals for the future, and how he got started in the game.

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Name: Nick Dent
Position: Small Forward
Team: Hartland High School Rockets 

Tell us a little about yourself:

"I'm originally from Plymouth, and I've been playing basketball from being  ix years-old. I watched Space Jam, and from there I just wanted to start playing basketball!

"I played for Plymouth Basketball Club up until the end of my second year at U16s. I played for the England U15s, and competed in the Aspire All-Star tournament for Central's U15 squad."

Can you a remember a moment when you decided basketball was something you wanted to play more seriously? What happened?

"I think it was at the start of my first year at under 16s. I realised that I could make something out of it and after learning about the EABL, I was excited to join the JMA Rockets, now HHS Reading Rockets."

What have been the biggest challenges of your basketball career so far? 

"The biggest challenge was moving away from home and moving from playing U16 Conference South basketball to playing U18 Premier and in the EABL for one of the best teams in the country."

Who is the toughest player you’ve faced? What made them so difficult to play against?

"The best player I have played against at junior level was my former team-mate Ethan Round, who is now at Itchen. At senior level, it would be my current team-mate, Malik Bryant, from the Rockets' BCB team."

What are your goals for the season, and beyond?

"I want to make a good run into playoffs with our U18 team and make a bit of a name for myself in England. Looking ahead, I want to be a professional basketball player in the future, and continue to play at the highest level I'm capable of."

What are you currently working on to take your game to the next level?

"I'm trying to make my pull-up jump shot more consistent and also improve my decision making off the dribble."

What advice would you give someone who is just getting started in basketball?

"When it doesn’t go your way, don’t give up. You have got to forget a bad practise or game and move onto the next thing. Even if a bad stretch lasts a few weeks, you must move on to the next thing."

Who is your favourite basketball player and why?

"Steph Curry is my favourite basketball player because I grew up watching Golden State Warriors and looked up to him and Klay Thompson."

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