Ipswich events lead British basketball tributes to Linton-Hodges, Williams
The inaugural Lee Linton-Hodges Tribute Event and fourth annual Makenna Williams Memorial Game have united the British basketball community in recent weeks.
Nearly 500 people crammed into Copleston Sports Centre on Saturday 1 August as the British basketball community came together to celebrate Linton-Hodges and his impact on the game.
Among the legends of the British game making the journey to Ipswich were Sam Newman, Orlan Jackman, Joe Hart and Elvisi Duscha.
The teams were coached by four familiar figures, with Nick Drane and Dave Girling taking charge of Team Blue, while Lloyd Gardner and Mark Clark coached Team Red.
It was an extraordinary turnout for a player whose influence on British basketball — and particularly on Ipswich Basketball Club — stretched across almost two decades.
Linton-Hodges died suddenly on 5 October 2025, and after further investigation, had been living with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), a rare inherited heart condition that can often go undiagnosed.
In the weeks following his passing, the basketball community rallied around Lee’s family, raising more than £31,000 in an incredible show of support.
The day was not simply about remembering Lee's achievements on the court. It was about celebrating the person he was and the impact he had on the people around him. The event also provided an opportunity to raise money for two important causes: Child Bereavement UK and the British Heart Foundation.
Both charities have particular relevance following Lee's death, supporting those dealing with bereavement while also supporting work around heart health and cardiovascular disease.
The response from the basketball community showed the extraordinary place Lee occupies within the sport and Ipswich Basketball Club has now vowed to make the event an annual occasion.
Fittingly, the game's MVP was Sam Newman, who recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds and an extraordinary 21 assists.
Newman's connection with Lee stretches back to his childhood. Sam was just 10 years old when he first crossed paths with him, travelling around the country with the Ipswich Under-18 team coached by Nick Drane.
Drane's assistant coach at the time was current Ipswich Men's Head Coach — and Sam's dad — Nick Newman. It was a fitting connection on a day that brought together several generations of British basketball.
Makenna Williams remembered
The Linton-Hodges event followed on from July's fourth annual Makenna Williams Memorial Game, honouring the memory of the Ipswich's former player who tragically passed away in June 2022.
Players from the past, present and future all came together for a special evening of basketball, joined by some of the legends of the women’s game, to celebrate Williams' life and memory.
The event once again provided an opportunity for players from different generations to take to the court together, creating a unique and special format for the evening.
The game continues to follow its unique format, with the first and fourth quarters featuring legendary players from the women’s game. Harriet Welham, Maya Price, Susannah Rafiu, Cameron Taylor Willis and Danni Cazey were among those taking part, joined by regular opponents of Ipswich, Kat Goldsby, Megan Haines and Chinwe Iwunze.
The second and third quarters then allowed current Ipswich players to shine. The second quarter also included Makenna’s cousin Myles, making the occasion particularly special as players continued to come together to remember Makenna.
The club was also raising money in support of the Ipswich Basketball Club’s ongoing mission to raise awareness of mental health and provide funds to support players and staff with their mental health.
The fundraising will also help the club to continue growing its ‘hardship fund’, which helps the club keep the cost of playing high-level basketball in Ipswich to a minimum.
All image credits - @sanne.hoffman.photography
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