JIMMY ROGERS: 1939-2018
- By Mark Woods
- Updated: October 1, 2018

Jimmy Rogers, a seminal figure in British basketball, has died at the age of 78.
The patriarch of Brixton Topcats may have been an adopted Scouser with unbroken affection for Liverpool FC. But it was in south London where his endeavours left an indelible mark, building a programme that not only unearthed some of the country’s leading talents but which also offered a refuge and an opportunity to those within its environs.
He had been suffering from cancer in recent months but spent his final weeks at home in the capital, surrounded by family and friends.
A statement from the club he built and cherished announced his passing on Monday.
It said: “Jimmy’s work and commitment to his community is unmatched. A father figure, coach, mentor and guide to innumerable people, Jimmy had the purest heart of gold. Jimmy was a man that sacrificed, served, gave in immeasurable ways to his community in and outside of Brixton Topcats where he created a home away from home for thousands of players.
“Jimmy’s legacy, influence and work will live on forever. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts, prayers, love and support are with his family and his friends at this difficult time.â€
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of Coach Jimmy Rogers. The basketball legend passed away this morning surrounded by a friend and family members, after a 6 month battle with cancer. Our love and support is with his family and friends at this time. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0StaO3sY1R
— Brixton Topcats (@brixtontopcats) October 1, 2018
Outspoken, occasionally stubborn, with deep reserves of passion and a wicked sense of humour, Rogers was born in Wales and spent his initial years in an orphanage on Tyneside. He was itinerant in his early adulthood too, joining the army before a fervour for basketball, nurtured in school, was channelled into a spell on the court with the-then German champions Osnabruck while stationed in the country.
International call-ups followed. But his enduring legacy came from the grassroots rather than the professional game.
It was in 1981 that the Topcats were informally established before a more firm constitution three years later, Rogers lobbying the local council for seed money and then using the area’s recreational centre as a magnet for all who wanted to play.
There were rules. To be obeyed under a threat of a personal admonishment.
“When a kid first comes here,†he said, in an interview with The Independent, “you can see them thinking, ‘what’s going on here?’ They have no idea about discipline, but they soon come to really enjoy it.
“I have never thrown a kid out, because they get rejection all the time, and I don’t allow anyone to laugh at anyone else because I can remember what it was like at the start, not knowing how to play. I had one girl here joined us at 17. Never done any sport in her life, slightly overweight. Three years later she made the London Towers women’s team, national league. Fantastic.â€
There were many from that production line, from future NBA All Star and now-Minnesota Timberwolves forward Luol Deng and ex-WNBAer Andrea Congreaves to past and present Great Britain players including Eric Boateng, Justin Robinson and Matthew Bryan-Amaning and those who flourished with other UK teams such as Ronnie and Stedroy Baker.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Luol Deng (@luoldeng9) on
Rogers fought his corner. Indignant at what he perceived as the wasting of resources by the then-English Basketball Association (now Basketball England), he compiled a dossier – backed by many fellow coaches – which alleged that the UK had become a “third world” country in basketball terms “due to the fact that the vast majority of our finances are determined by and spent on administrators, not the players or coaches.”
He added that achieving meaningless standards had become an obstacle to growing the game and that a lack of indoor facilities was a “crippling issue”.
There was little indication his perception of those issues had altered in his latter years. He was a critic of the elitist Lottery-funded system that prioritises Olympic medals in sports for the few, like rowing, over participation for the many. An egalitarian foremost.
He was in the Toxteth district of Liverpool when it was torn apart by riots, sparked by a lack of hope. In Brixton, an area afflicted by the same malaise, he preached education first, hoops second, with those who made names for themselves on the court just a part of a alumni group that also includes prominent lawyers and teachers.
“Jimmy is Brixton,†Deng said. “He has done so much for the community helping thousands of kids get off the streets and do something constructive with their lives. He is known as someone who gives back, who helps.â€
Rogers felt his was a cause worth fighting for. “It’s like a drug … it’s putting the ball through the hoop. What can I say? You see it on the faces of the little kids who come in here, it’s addictive. I’m still passionate about it after all this time.”
The tributes following his passing were numerous and warm. Former Great Britain captain Drew Sullivan grew up playing for the Hackney Academy, run by the late Joe White, which was the north London counterpoint to Brixton.
“Some of the best times of my life were playing for Towers against the Brixton Top Cats,” he said. “It didn’t matter how fierce the games were or what the outcome was there was always a huge amount of respect between the two teams. And that was down to Joe and Jimmy. Rest well now coach, you will be missed.”
Sullivan’s former team-mate David Aliu added: “Absolutely devastated hearing about the passing of this man. Jimmy Rogers was not only a LEGEND in our world but Father figure, Mentor, Friend and family. We have truly lost one of the greats helping kids follow their dreams with support, guidance and discipline. Had some of my best memories around this man.”
We have lost a legend and a true gentleman today in Jimmy Rogers May his soul rest in perfect peace He gave me the focus, opportunity and developed a life long love for Basketball. Thank U for all the encouragement, time and hard sessions I am Me because of U pic.twitter.com/hI9kfS8wY7
— Paul Mundy-Castle (@paulmundycastle) October 1, 2018
Never has a man meant so much to an area, to a club, and to a generation of young men and women. His voice, both literally and physically, was a clarion call to all young men and women who wanted to participate and learn about discipline and hustle. RIP JR https://t.co/coUgvJcGwy
— J. Alton Byrd (@AltonByrd) October 1, 2018
Two basketball greats meet…
That day in 1985 when Brixton coach Jimmy Rogers brought a 22 year old guy called Michael Jordan to play pick up hoops in Brixton. (It’s a little blurry – we didn’t have camera phones back then).#ripjimmyrogers #greatmemories pic.twitter.com/sRWxnsDRO4 — Matthew Ryder (@rydermc) October 1, 2018
You will always be EVERYTHING to us! Love you Jimmy, missing you already 💔 #Brokenheart
— Justin Robinson (@JJRob_LDN) October 1, 2018
How grateful were so many for Rogers’ attentions.
Photo: Asher/Facebook
Rogers’ age was updated from the original version
About Mark Woods

Editor, MVP. Journalist, Broadcaster. Follow me @markbritball or markwoods.online for more.
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