Tom Sherlock
Encyclopedia
Tom Sherlock is a British
professional basketball
player currently playing for the Leicester Riders
in the British Basketball League
(BBL).
, England
, to Rob and Karen Sherlock.
He started out playing for his hometown's BBL franchise, the Derby Storm
, when he was just 17, before moving on to Mansfield Express in 1999, where he played alongside future Newcastle Eagles
teammate Andrew Bridge
.
to begin his basketball education at Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman
, Iowa
. He played one season in Iowa averaging 18 pts, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block per game gaining a McDonalds All-American nomination.
On moving to college he found himself in Wayne, Nebraska
at Wayne State College
where the Wildcats play in the NCAA Division II
basketball programme out of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
(NSIC). Tom majored in computer information systems in a five-year college stay. He spent his first year in 2001-02 sitting out as a red-shirt.
His college career started in 2002-03 playing in 26 games. Earning 13 starts he finished the season with a 3.5 pts and 2.4 rebounds per game average. He led the team in 3-point % and was third on blocked shots.
In 2003-04 he played in 24 games averaging 3.1 pts and 1.5 rebounds. Second on the team in blocks he had a 48.2% field goal percentage and shot 71.4% from the charity stripe. In 2004-05 where he appeared in 23 games and averaged 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds with a season high performance of 10 pts and 12 rebounds in a 97-75 win at Augustana
.
In his final senior year Sherlock upped his numbers considerably with a 9.2 pts average and a team-high 5.3 boards per game. He played in all 25 games of the season with 9 starts and had a career high 19 pts vs Concordia University, Saint Paul
. He was named top rebounder at the Minnesota State Pepsi Tip Off Classic grabbing 18 boards in two games including a career high 12 vs Minnesota State. Ranked 11th in rebounding in the NSIC he was also fifth in field goal shooting at 50% and had a 41.2% average from 3-point range. Sherlock is described as an inside threat that can also hit the long ball, as well as an extremely hard worker who is keen to learn.
He made his professional debut for the Eagles on 29 September 2006, in a home game against title-rivals Sheffield Sharks
, and went on to become a key figure in the team's successful Playoff-winning season, as well as picking up a runners-up medal in the BBL Trophy
, in his rookie season. Overall, Sherlock played in 30 games during the season, where he averaged 14.8 minutes, 6.73 points and 4.13 rebounds per game.
His second season at the club saw reduced minutes in light of a deeper roster and tougher competition. On October 30, 2007 it was announced that Sherlock had left the club by mutual consent. In four games he averaged just 8.84 minutes and 2.5 points per game.
He made his debut for hometown club Derby Trailblazers
in EBL Division One
on 10 November 2007 against West Anglia Fury, coming back from a slight ankle sprain to post 12 points. After just four games Sherlock underwent surgery on his right knee and ankle to cure long-term problems.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player currently playing for the Leicester Riders
Leicester Riders
The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League...
in the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
(BBL).
Early life
Sherlock was born on 1 October 1981 in DerbyDerby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, to Rob and Karen Sherlock.
He started out playing for his hometown's BBL franchise, the Derby Storm
Derby Storm
Derby Storm was a former British Basketball League franchise from the city of Derby, Derbyshire. The team took the decision to sit out the 2002-03 season after failing to find a suitable venue for home games...
, when he was just 17, before moving on to Mansfield Express in 1999, where he played alongside future Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
teammate Andrew Bridge
Andrew Bridge (basketball)
Andrew Bridge is a current British Professional Basketball player. Bridge is a 6 ft 4 in Shooting Guard, who currently plays for Newcastle Eagles in the British Basketball League...
.
United States schooling
In 2000 Sherlock moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to begin his basketball education at Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman
Wellman, Iowa
Wellman is a city in Washington County, Iowa, United States. It part of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,393 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. He played one season in Iowa averaging 18 pts, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block per game gaining a McDonalds All-American nomination.
On moving to college he found himself in Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne is a city in Wayne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 5,660 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Wayne County and the home of Wayne State College.-Geography:Wayne is located at ....
at Wayne State College
Wayne State College
Wayne State College is a four-year public college in the Nebraska State College System in Wayne, Nebraska. The current enrollment is 3,571. The college opened as a State Normal School in 1910 after the State purchased the private Nebraska Normal College . The State Normal College became State...
where the Wildcats play in the NCAA Division II
NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship
The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship is an annual championship tournament for colleges and universities that are members of NCAA Division II, a grouping of schools in the United States that are generally smaller than the higher-profile institutions of Division I...
basketball programme out of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the Midwestern United States. Nine of its members are in Minnesota, with two members in South Dakota and one member each in the states of Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota. It participates in the NCAA's...
(NSIC). Tom majored in computer information systems in a five-year college stay. He spent his first year in 2001-02 sitting out as a red-shirt.
His college career started in 2002-03 playing in 26 games. Earning 13 starts he finished the season with a 3.5 pts and 2.4 rebounds per game average. He led the team in 3-point % and was third on blocked shots.
In 2003-04 he played in 24 games averaging 3.1 pts and 1.5 rebounds. Second on the team in blocks he had a 48.2% field goal percentage and shot 71.4% from the charity stripe. In 2004-05 where he appeared in 23 games and averaged 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds with a season high performance of 10 pts and 12 rebounds in a 97-75 win at Augustana
Augustana College (South Dakota)
Augustana College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The campus makes the school the largest private university in South Dakota...
.
In his final senior year Sherlock upped his numbers considerably with a 9.2 pts average and a team-high 5.3 boards per game. He played in all 25 games of the season with 9 starts and had a career high 19 pts vs Concordia University, Saint Paul
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Concordia University is a liberal arts university located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Concordia University was founded in 1893 and currently enrolls approximately 2,800 students...
. He was named top rebounder at the Minnesota State Pepsi Tip Off Classic grabbing 18 boards in two games including a career high 12 vs Minnesota State. Ranked 11th in rebounding in the NSIC he was also fifth in field goal shooting at 50% and had a 41.2% average from 3-point range. Sherlock is described as an inside threat that can also hit the long ball, as well as an extremely hard worker who is keen to learn.
Post-college
Sherlock signed for Newcastle Eagles in 2006 after he was spotted at an open trials session where he was the outstanding player of the two-day camp.He made his professional debut for the Eagles on 29 September 2006, in a home game against title-rivals Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
, and went on to become a key figure in the team's successful Playoff-winning season, as well as picking up a runners-up medal in the BBL Trophy
BBL Trophy
The BBL Trophy is one of three cup competitions operated by the British Basketball League. The competition begins with a regional group format and comprises the BBL clubs divided into four regional qualifying groups of three...
, in his rookie season. Overall, Sherlock played in 30 games during the season, where he averaged 14.8 minutes, 6.73 points and 4.13 rebounds per game.
His second season at the club saw reduced minutes in light of a deeper roster and tougher competition. On October 30, 2007 it was announced that Sherlock had left the club by mutual consent. In four games he averaged just 8.84 minutes and 2.5 points per game.
He made his debut for hometown club Derby Trailblazers
Derby Trailblazers
Derby Trailblazers is a semi-professional basketball team from Derby, who compete in the English Basketball League Men's Division 1. The team was founded in 2002 from the feeder club of Derby Storm, the professional outfit competing in the British Basketball League, who went out of business during...
in EBL Division One
English Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
on 10 November 2007 against West Anglia Fury, coming back from a slight ankle sprain to post 12 points. After just four games Sherlock underwent surgery on his right knee and ankle to cure long-term problems.