NBA star and champion Jordan Poole has chosen the University of Westminster’s Den to train during his trip to the UK, due to the sport facility’s high standard features. The move has given Westminster students the chance to see an elite sportsman in action.

On 24 February, Jordan Poole, player for the NBA team the Washington Wizards, spent the day training at Westminster’s basketball court and gym at the University’s new sports facility The Den. During the session Westminster students had the chance to assist with training and see what goes into the training routine of an NBA star.

The visit came about thanks to Westminster’s partnership with the Brent Bulls Basketball Club and their connection to the wider basketball community. On his visit to the UK the sportsman was looking for a place to train and thanks to their work and the high quality of Westminster’s basketball court he decided to pay The Den a visit.

The Den was opened earlier this year. The new space includes a new gym, facilities for court sports, including volleyball, basketball, netball and badminton, and a spectator area for up to 180 people. The sports hall is available to all students and colleagues to use and provides a space for Westminster Dragons sport teams to further grow and flourish.

The court is one of the best in the UK, with lots of time and consideration going into making it an asset to the University. It is a performance-based court, meaning there are less lines, tailoring it toward basketball, and it has sprung wooden floors which are hard to find elsewhere in the UK. 

Ben McDonald, Sports Operations Coordinator at the University of Westminster Students’ Union, said: “Hosting Jordan Poole at The Den over the weekend was incredible and an experience the students involved won’t forget. With sport valued so highly at the University of Westminster, it's no surprise it continues to grow and attract sporting stars. The Den is putting the University on the world map for all the right reasons. We are excited to welcome all students and guests to this unique space in the future.”

Westminster’s dedication to sport contributes toward the Good Health and Well-being (3) development goal of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted by the University of Westminster to help make the University a more sustainable, responsible and inclusive place to live, work and study.

Find out more about sports opportunities at the University of Westminster.

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