Storm sign towering 6’11” centre Nkomba

Hemel Storm are pleased to announce the addition of towering centre Yves Nkomba. 

Standing at 6’11”, Nkomba provides a powerful aerial presence at both ends of the court and is Head Coach Tom Baker’s seventh signing of a busy summer. 

A graduate of Western University New Mexico, Nkomba has coaching experience and will make up part of our new-look junior development programme. 

Our new man said: “It’s always a pleasure to see more life and have more opportunities! 

“I’m especially excited about being a part of Hemel Storm and their culture. 

“Let’s not weather the Storm!” 

Nkomba, who was born in Leeds, arrived in New Mexico in 2024, after spells at Panola College, Three Rivers Community College, Kennesaw State University, where he won the 2023 ASUN Regular Season Co-Championship and the ASUN Tournament titles, and Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis. 

He appeared in 28 games for the Mustangs across the 2024/25 season, before helping them to their best-ever programme finish as a graduate assistant coach during the last campaign. 

An athletic shot-blocker and dominant rebounder, Nkomba also uses his height to threaten opponents on the offensive end of the floor. 

Keen fans would have noticed him plying his trade during this summer’s Hoopsfix Pro-Am, where he threw down this epic dunk for Oaklands Wolves, as well as in the NBA 3x3 showcase event at Trafalgar Square and the MCR Pro-Am. 

Baker, whose roster also contains Sam Newman, Kai Walker, Brayden Inger, Jovan Rai and Americans Jabari Nurse and Jared Small, is excited to see what Nkomba can do upon his arrival at the StormDome. 

He said: “Yves is an exciting addition who gives us genuine size, length and presence at 6’11. 

“He has gained experience across several American college programmes, including Panola College, Three Rivers, Kennesaw State, IUPUI and Western New Mexico, exposing him to different levels, styles of play and coaching environments.

“He has also stayed active since returning to the UK through the Hoopsfix Pro-Am and the 3x3 event at Trafalgar Square. 

“Yves has tools that are difficult to teach, and I am looking forward to helping him develop and seeing the impact he can make within our environment.”

Written by Callum Humphrey