Shooting Guard Amba Thompson Joins the Rebels

Essex Rebels are delighted to announce that twenty-year-old shooting guard Amba Thompson is set to join the roster for the upcoming 2025/2026 campaign. 

After spending the first four years of her development with the Richmond Knights, Thompson went on to train with the Sevenoaks Suns for the 2022/2023 campaign at just seventeen years old. 

Thompson’s early recognition from a Women’s British Basketball League team underlines both her potential and her future in the British game.

Internationally, Thompson has also represented England at under-fourteen, under-fifteen and under-eighteen levels, representing the latter at the Four Nations tournament in 2023. 

Most recently Thompson has played for the Reading Rockets, where she has played for the last two seasons. In her debut campaign, she was voted the Player’s Player award, as decided by her teammates. 

Ahead of her arrival in Essex, Amba has shared her thoughts with us: 

“As a Rebel in 25/26, I’m keen to develop a strong bond with my new team mates, developing trust and a sense of unity with my new squad, knowing that they’ve got your back, both on and off the court.  

I’m also looking forward to improving and adding to my skill set over the next season and learning from and being part of a successful team on court.”

Speaking about the Rebels’ latest addition, Head Coach Ashley Cookson said: 

“We’re thrilled to have Amba Thompson join the Essex Rebels. Amba is a player with huge potential, and what stands out most is the combination of her talent, work ethic, and outstanding character. Having developed through excellent programmes with the Sevenoaks Suns and Reading Rockets, she already brings valuable experience that will serve her well in the SLB Women. We’re excited to support her continued growth here at Essex, as she balances her studies at the University of Essex with competing at a high level of women’s basketball.”

UP THE REBS

By Nicholas Melton