Every year, we are incredibly proud to watch our student-athletes make their mark across UK university sport.
Representing universities across the country, they bring elite collegiate experience, leadership and ambition to their new teams, often helping drive some of the most successful seasons in programme history.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Play Overseas student-athletes once again showcased the incredible impact they can have on UK university sport.
Whether winning championships, securing promotions, collecting individual awards or helping their teams reach new heights, our athletes made an immediate impact wherever they competed.
With the next class preparing to arrive in the UK, we are taking a moment to celebrate a selection of the athletes who made the 2025/26 season one to remember.
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The Season of a Lifetime
Ciani Montgomery
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| Fresh off an excellent senior season at Lincoln University in which she averaged 15.5 points per game, Ciani arrived in England looking to build on her collegiate success while working towards a master’s degree in Education.
Representing her UK university in both BUCS and the National Basketball League, she played a leading role in one of the most successful seasons in the programme’s history. During a perfect 10-0 season, she helped her university capture the BUCS Midlands Tier 1A title before winning the BUCS Premier South divisional playoff final to secure promotion. |
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If her university success was impressive, her performances on the national stage were even more extraordinary.
Competing in the Women’s NBL Division One alongside her university season, Montgomery averaged 23.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and a joint league-best 4.6 steals per game on her way to being crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player. The Philadelphia native also earned her place in the Division One Team of the Year, establishing herself as one of the UK’s standout players during an unforgettable debut season. |
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An MVP Season to Remember
Earl Burgess
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| After an outstanding collegiate career at Converse University, Earl Burgess made the move to England where he quickly established herself as one of the country’s premier players.
While working toward his MBA, Earl represented his UK university in both BUCS and the National Basketball League, playing a pivotal role in a memorable campaign. At the heart of his university’s success, Burgess inspired his team to the Men’s Midlands Tier 1A title before winning the BUCS Premier South Playoff final to secure promotion. |
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His dominant debut season also saw him dominate the National Basketball League (NBL), averaging 18.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game on his way to being crowned NBL Division One Most Valuable Player.
His remarkable consistency saw him earn multiple NBL Team of the Week selections before capping a sensational debut campaign with a place in the prestigious NBL Division One Team of the Year, recognising him among the very best players in the country. |
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Promotion Secured in a Historic Season
Sana Bath
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| After a freshman year at Nicholls State University followed by three excellent seasons at Rocky Mountain College, Canadian midfielder Sana Bath brought valuable experience to her new university team, quickly becoming an important part of a memorable campaign.
Whilst working toward her master’s degree in Psychology of Sport, Sana helped her university complete a remarkable 9-1 league campaign to lift the BUCS Scottish Tier 1 title before victory in the BUCS Premier North playoff final secured her teams promotion back to the highest division of women’s university football in the UK. |
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Mountain West Champion Adds BUCS Gold
Hannah Waller
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| After an outstanding NCAA Division I career at San Diego State University that saw her win multiple Mountain West titles and establish herself among the most decorated athletes in the programme’s history, Hannah Waller arrived in the UK determined to add another successful chapter to her athletics career.
Competing for the reigning national champions while studying for a master’s degree in Digital Media and Communication, the Virginian wasted no time making her mark. |
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Hannah claimed silver in the Long Jump at the BUCS Indoor Athletics Championships before producing her finest performance of the season to capture Gold at the BUCS Outdoor Championships, cementing her place among the country’s top university athletes.
Her success also contributed to another memorable year for her university, who successfully defended their overall BUCS athletics title to once again be crowned national champions. |
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Four Teammates, One Championship Season
BJ Jenkins, Benjamin Raspberry, Chris Frank and Devin Womack
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| When BJ Jenkins, Benjamin Raspberry, Chris Frank and Devin Womack each committed to the same university in Scotland, they arrived with different collegiate experiences but shared the same ambition of making an immediate impact.
Representing Vermont State University, Clark Atlanta University, Erskine College and Lake Superior State University respectively, the quartet quickly combined to form the backbone of one of Scotland’s most successful university basketball teams. Drawing on years of experience across NCAA Division II and USCAA basketball, they each played a pivotal role throughout a remarkable championship-winning season. |
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Together, they helped guide their university to the Scottish Student Basketball Trophy, completing a memorable season with a national title.
MBA student Benjamin produced a superb 20-point performance in a thrilling final to be named Championship Final MVP, while Devin (Finance & Accounting) added 21 points to secure the university’s first Scottish Student Championship since 2021. The success did not end on the court. In recognition of their achievements throughout the year, the team also earned Performance of the Year at the university’s annual Sports Ball. |
Celebrating an Incredible Year Overseas
These stories represent only a small selection of the achievements celebrated across the Play Overseas community this season.
From former NCAA Division I stars to NAIA standouts, every story is different. However, each is united by the same willingness to embrace an unfamiliar opportunity and make the most of another year as a student-athlete.
We are incredibly proud of every student-athlete who took the opportunity to compete overseas, embraced life at a new university and contributed to their team both on and off the field. Whether they returned home with championship medals, individual honours, promotions or simply memories and friendships that will last a lifetime, each student made their mark while earning a master’s degree.
With the next class of student-athletes preparing to arrive across the UK, we cannot wait to see the impact they will make during the year ahead.
Ready for Your Own Overseas Journey in 2027?
If you’re interested in playing another season while pursuing a master’s degree and experiencing life in a new country, we’re here to help.
Our service is completely FREE. From helping you identify postgraduate scholarship opportunities, connect with coaches and find universities that match your academic and athletic goals, we’ll support you every step of the way through your journey to the UK.
Start exploring your options ahead of 2027 entry today!
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