Lee Linton-Hodges Tribute Event Set for Ipswich in August

The British basketball community will come together in Ipswich next month for the inaugural Lee Linton-Hodges Tribute Event.

The event is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 1 August at Copleston Sports Centre, with doors opening at 2:30pm and activities beginning from 1pm.

Linton-Hodges, a much-loved former player across the National Basketball League, died suddenly on 5 October 2025. Basketball England reported that further investigation found he had been living with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy, a rare inherited heart condition that can often go undiagnosed.

The tribute event will raise funds for the British Heart Foundation and Child Bereavement UK. The basketball community previously raised more than £31,000 for Lee’s family following his passing.

Linton-Hodges’ 20-year NBL career started and finished with Ipswich Basketball Club. He also represented England at junior level and played for clubs including Barking Abbey, Essex and Herts Leopards, Essex Rebels and Hemel Storm.

The game is expected to feature players who shared the court with him across his career, including Sam Newman, Joe Hart, Elvisi Duscha and Veron Eze. Lloyd Gardner and Nick Drane are set to coach the two teams.

Admission is £5, with every ticket supporting the two charities connected to the event.

Source: Basketball England.