The Medway Park Crusaders Basketball Club have secured one of the most exciting young English players for the club. Former England Under 16’s captain Tom Raymen has decided to join the Crusaders as he returns from a three year stay in Massachusetts, USA.

Raymen was the England Captain in the Under 16’s European Championships in 2006, after which he went to the States where he starred for Groton School in Massachusetts. During his three years he averaged 16 points and 4 assists. He was a two-time defensive player of the year at Groton, and in his first year he led the league in steals. He was a two-time league All Star, making the all-league 1st team his final year. Raymen’s Summer Tournament AAU Basketball team came runners up in the New England regional tournament and went on to play in the National tournament at Disney’s Wide World of Sport in Orlando, FL.

Jesse Sazant, the Crusaders club chairman, was one of Raymen’s coaches with the England team and worked hard to secure him coming to Crusaders: “I am so pleased to work with Tom again. His professionalism and desire to develop were fantastic when I coached him with England. I’m convinced he can develop into a standout player in the EBL. His work ethic and enthusiasm will be a great addition to the team.”

Head coach Mads Olesen is looking forward to adding Raymen to the team: “I’m really looking forward to getting Tom here. He’s a really good defender, and from everything I hear he works harder than anyone, so he will be a great addition to the team.”

Raymen is looking forward to the transition from American youth basketball to the English men’s game: “I’m really excited about playing for the Crusaders in the highly competitive EBL. I’m looking forward to playing on a team that was successful last year and hopefully can take the next step, make the playoffs and gain promotion this season. I’m also looking forward to working with my old coach again, as well as Mads, who seems to run a great ‘players’ system.”