It was a glittering and memorable night in the Vertu Arena last Thursday, 14 May, as the faithful Newcastle Eagles fanbase came together with players of both the Men’s and Women’s teams, staff and volunteers, to celebrate the end of the 2025-26 season and one Eagle in particular.
There were tears and fond memories aplenty shared on the club’s home court as fans received confirmation of Eagles legend Darius Defoe’s retirement as a basketball player.
Defoe’s former teammate Drew Lasker put the question on everyone’s lips to ‘Mr 28’, as he has become known for his decades of trophies and success, to get Eagles fans the first and official announcement from the club and British basketball’s most decorated star.
Fans will forever remember the moment when head coach Marc Steutel subbed the famous number 13 out for the final time right there on the Vertu Arena floor just a few weeks ago, but until Thursday night, they not heard the words they were all expecting.
Following a long and emotional standing ovation, Eagles managing director Paul Blake paid tribute to Darius, a player who has been there throughout his tenure at the club and won all of its 28 trophies. It was a special moment and one for all who were there, not least Darius himself, to cherish and remember as a storied career comes to an end.
Applause continued throughout the night as the club’s annual awards were presented by the Eagles teams’ respective head coaches, each speaking glowingly and deservedly about the winners.
Two accolades, normally presented at the club’s annual End of Season Awards Dinner, which this year is scheduled for September as the official launch of the club’s 30 Year anniversary, were the first to be handed out. The Players’ Player of the Year titles, voted for by each of the teams themselves:
Among the lines added to the history books across the 2025/26 season was another record-high number of votes for the annual fan-voted awards, resulting in the following honours:
This year, the club replaced the fan-voted Most Improved Player award with one for Defensive Player of the Year, which was one by Shanique Lucas for the women’s team and Cole Long for the men’s team. Both players are currently out of the country, in Australia and Canada, respectively, but thanked fans for the awards in video messages.
In an evening that saw the Eagles’ game-court transformed into a spectacular setting for the season culmination event, the club’s sales and communications manager, Dan Black, took to the stage to thank fans for all their support and whet their appetite for exciting announcements to come for the club’s upcoming 30 Year Anniversary.
Black also shared the club’s plans for ’13 Days of Defoe’ starting tomorrow, Tuesday 19 May, across social media to honour the now officially retired star and gave his appreciation to the official fans association, ‘Eagles All-In’, for the support throughout its inaugural season.
As the night began drawing to a close, the ‘teams behind the teams’ were introduced and thanked as their roles and what they do behind the scenes and on the sidelines was highlighted.
Finally, the club’s ‘Wings Team’ of volunteers were welcomed onto the stage for a well-deserved moment in the spotlight for all of their hard work and help.
As always, the final award of the evening was the club’s most prestigious one, the David Hunter Award. The 2026 award was presented to Nikki Best in recognition of her 23 seasons volunteering on the Eagles game night entertainment team.
So, the curtains were closed on the season with fans, volunteers and staff already looking forward to September and the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
