Newcastle Eagles are delighted to announce the return of guard/forward Josh Ward-Hibbert for a third consecutive season.

Ward-Hibbert had a stellar last season in black and white, where the influential team player and leader firmly established himself as one of the most committed and driven players in the British game.

Averaging 8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in Super League Basketball (SLB) and 9.3 points with 6.9 rebounds in the European North Basketball League (ENBL), the 6’5″ star will once again be a cornerstone of head coach Marc Steutel’s roster for the 2025/26 campaign.


Josh Ward-Hibbert was voted 2024/26 Men’s Team Player of the Year by the Eagles fans, presented by coach Steutel at the End of Season Supporters Night. (Photo Abbie Orwin, Featured Image: Gary Forster)

“It was extremely important to return Josh to the Vertu Arena for a third season”, said Steutel.

“After coming off one of his best personal years, where he was rightly recognised with his defensive and British team of the year selections, everyone who follows our club knows the ability that Josh has to impact winning.

“He is a fierce competitor, a selfless leader and someone who embodies what our club and city are about, and I am elated we could retain him for this season.”


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Josh Ward-Hibbert continued to be a leading voice in the Eagles side throughout last season all the way to the SLB Play-Offs Final. (Photo: Gary Forster)

As a firm fan favourite, Ward-Hibbert has become an adopted Geordie throughout his two seasons with the club, where he has helped to anchor Newcastle’s defence as well as opening up the offence.

“It’s great to be back in Newcastle, I’ve got a lot of connections with this club and it feels like home for me now”, said Ward-Hibbert.

“I love playing for the Eagles fans, we have the best support in the league and that I’ve played in front of home or away here in the UK and across Europe.

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Eagles and GB Head Coach Marc Steutel called upon his talisman Josh Ward-Hibbert in both GB’s crucial final two FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers games and selected him for the national team who go into the EuroBasket Group Phase later this month. (Photos: GB Basketball)

“They’re always super-loud and are the reason we were able to accomplish what we did last year.”


“But I don’t want what we achieved last year to be the end of my journey in an Eagles jersey, I want to continue to push and lead from the front the best I can.”

The Great Britain international’s signature was prized by Steutel, who spoke highly of his commitment, effort levels and leadership in the short film Soaring To History that documented the club’s 2025 ENBL Final Four appearance.

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Ward-Hibbert had a key role in the club’s historic 2024/25 season, which included becoming the first British men’s team to reach a major European competition final. (Photo: Abbie Orwin)

Ward-Hibbert added: “Speaking to coach Marc and Paul over the summer, hearing their plans for this coming season and the future, made this season something I want to be a part of.

“I want to leave the Eagles better than I found it, and the only way I can do that is by locking in and focusing on giving 100% in practice and on the game floor, which is something I’m super excited to do.”

Fixtures for the Eagles SLB and ENBL seasons are due to be confirmed later this month with the club’s now-annual launch event and a pre-season schedule both expected to be announced shortly.