British Player of the Year Olarerin follows Nsangu in joining Storm from Rockets
Hemel Storm are thrilled to announce the signing of British guard Victor Olarerin.
Olarerin won’t need much introduction to many Storm fans, after becoming one of the league’s best-known faces after an impressive eight years in British basketball’s second flight.
He spent the last two years with the Reading Rockets, amassing four trophies during his time in Berkshire and becoming the BCB’s British Player of the Year last time out, but now joins Ty Nsangu in moving north-east from Reading to Hemel, after the centre’s arrival on Monday.
“I’m absolutely buzzing and blessed to be joining Hemel Storm,” Olarerin said.
“I’ve been playing against them for the last five years now so it’s exciting to finally be on the same side!
“I’m really looking forward to getting in, meeting the team and the fans.
“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully we can have a great season and achieve something special by bringing back some silverware.”
Olarerin began life in the NBL with the Nottingham Hoods, spending four years in the East Midlands before heading to the Thames Valley Cavaliers ahead of the 2022/23 season.
An impressive year in Uxbridge was followed by a campaign with the Essex Rebels, before he set his sights on the Rockets.
His athleticism and unrelenting energy played a major part in the Southerners' treble in the 2024/25 season, before a standout campaign saw him named the league’s best British player as the Rockets won the inaugural BCB League title.
His average of 18.9 points per game, alongside 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, included a record-breaking 51-point outing against former side Essex Rebels, with the Englishman also being named in the league’s Team of the Season.
He joins Sam Newman, Kai Walker, Brayden Inger, Jovan Rai, Jabari Nurse, Jared Small, Yves Nkomba and Nsangu in committing to Storm for the 2026/27 campaign, in an exciting roster assembled by Head Coach Tom Baker.
Baker added: “Victor is a huge signing for us and someone who has established himself as one of the leading British players in the competition.
“He joins us as a BCB league champion, the British Player of the Year and a member of both the British Team of the Year and overall Team of the Year.
“His recent involvement with the Great Britain 3x3 programme further demonstrates the level he has reached.
“What excites me most is how well his game fits what we are building. He plays with aggression and intensity, can create and score in different ways and applies pressure at both ends of the floor.
“Adding a player of Victor’s quality significantly strengthens our group, and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Olarerin has had a busy summer already, called up to England’s 3x3 training camp prior to Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games and named on the longlist for their FIBA Europe Cup campaign.
He also starred as UEL won the Hoopsfix Pro-Am, bagging a double-double in the final, and has featured in Iso Hoops’ 1v1 basketball league and the NBA’s 3x3 showcase in Trafalgar Square.
An all-star regular, he was crowned the BCB’s first-ever dunk contest champion at the league’s showcase game in May, and will now look to bring his winning habit with him to Hemel.
Written by Callum Humphrey
