Hemel Storm were officially announced as participants in London Summer League last week.

Simon Kearney, Club Captain and a Director, at Hemel Storm, said: “Having completed our first season in Division One with an all-English team, this opportunity which has been kindly extended to us by London Summer League will give us a chance to stay sharp in the off-season and compete against some tough opposition. Everyone at Storm is really looking forward to the challenge and to bringing Storm’s style of play to the event."

Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire where Storm Basketball Club was formed in August of 2010 has a rich tradition of promoting top-class basketball and organising opportunities for local youngsters to play the game. A National League Club was first formed in the town in 1977 as Hemel Lakers and was named after the famous NBA team the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hemel Storm are looking to rebuild the Hemel Hempstead Club and to emulate its successful predecessor. Their short-term goal was to win promotion to EBL Division One within three years which they achieved last season - a year early - and to establish an elite 'development of excellence' youth programme.

Stephen Garrett, Managing Director, Isthmian Basketball Ltd  said “Storm have made great strides in their short history and are well on the way to matching the great Hemel teams of the past, its great to have Hertfordhire's leading club playing in London Summer League.”