The Bolton Celtics Stars Are All Out for the Best
In the heart of Greater Manchester, a quiet revolution is taking place. The town of Bolton, long known for its working-class grit and deep football heritage, is suddenly echoing with the sound of bouncing basketballs, squeaking sneakers, and thunderous dunks. This isn’t a scene from an NBA arena or a college campus in the U.S. Midwest—this is the rise of the Bolton Celtics, a local basketball team with outsized ambition and a burning desire to go all out for the best.
The Bolton Celtics are not just participating in English basketball—they are redefining what it means to compete, to grow, and to build a culture that rivals some of the best developmental programs across Europe. And leading this movement are a group of homegrown stars, driven not only by their love for the game but also by a shared vision: to put Bolton on the global basketball map.
The Birth of a Movement
To understand the rise of the Bolton Celtics, you need to look at the roots. Founded less than two decades ago, the club started as a grassroots initiative aimed at getting kids off the streets and into sports halls. It began modestly—one court, a handful of players, and a few passionate coaches volunteering their time. But from the beginning, there was a fire. A belief. A purpose.
“Basketball was a way out and a way forward,” says Coach Jamal Asher, who has been with the Celtics since the early days. “We weren’t just building players—we were building young men and women. Discipline, community, vision—that’s always been our foundation.”
The early years were tough. Funding was inconsistent, equipment was borrowed or donated, and matches were often played in under-heated leisure centres. But what the Celtics lacked in resources, they made up for in heart.
Fast-forward to today, and the Bolton Celtics are one of the most talked-about teams in the National Basketball League (NBL), with a youth academy that’s turning heads, and a senior team that’s become a serious contender. But even more impressive is the wave of talent they’ve produced—players with serious skill, charisma, and the kind of work ethic that screams potential.
Meet the Stars
Every movement needs its heroes, and for the Celtics, that list is growing by the season.
Malachi Reed – The Floor General
Nicknamed The Architect, Malachi is the team’s point guard and emotional core. Standing at 6’1” with a wiry frame and blinding court vision, he’s the kind of player who can change the pace of the game with a single glance.
“He sees plays before they happen,” says teammate and forward Eli Jameson. “Malachi doesn’t just run the offense—he orchestrates it like a maestro.”
Reed’s leadership off the court is just as impressive. A mentor to younger academy players, he’s known to host post-practice film sessions, constantly pushing himself and those around him to be better. “It’s about legacy,” he says. “I want people to say we changed things around here.”
Tyrese “Jet” Johnson – The Human Highlight Reel
If Malachi is the brain of the team, Tyrese Johnson is the pulse. With a 44-inch vertical leap, explosive first step, and a flair for the dramatic, the 6’4” shooting guard has become a fan favourite—and a social media sensation.
“Jet doesn’t just dunk,” says Coach Asher. “He levitates. Then he brings the roof down.”
But there’s substance behind the style. Johnson averages 22 points per game, shoots over 40% from beyond the arc, and is a tenacious on-ball defender. Off the court, he’s articulate, humble, and deeply invested in local youth work. “Basketball is how I found my voice,” he says. “Now I use it for something bigger.”
Yasmin Carter – The Ice Queen of the Court
Breaking barriers and ankles in equal measure is Yasmin Carter, the Celtics’ first female star to play in both the women’s and men’s senior squads. A deadly three-point shooter with nerves of steel, Yasmin is a trailblazer and a role model.
“There’s no ego with Yas,” says Reed. “She just shows up, shuts you down, and walks off like it’s nothing.”
At just 20 years old, Carter is already attracting interest from clubs in Spain and Italy. But her focus remains on Bolton—for now. “I’ve got unfinished business,” she says. “We’ve built something special here. I want to see it through.”
The Culture of Excellence
So, what makes the Bolton Celtics different?
It’s not just the players, but the ecosystem around them. The coaching philosophy emphasizes holistic development: physical, mental, emotional, and academic. Nutritionists, psychologists, and tutors are regular parts of team life. Every practice starts with mindfulness and ends with community service reminders.
“We don’t just train athletes,” says Asher. “We train leaders.”
The club’s youth academy, which now includes over 150 players from ages 7 to 19, is often oversubscribed. Tryouts are intense, not because the club is elitist, but because the demand is so high. Families travel from neighbouring cities just for a chance to be part of the program.
The Celtics have also built partnerships with local schools and universities, ensuring players don’t have to choose between sports and education. For many of the young athletes, this is a life-changing opportunity.
All Out for the Best
The Celtics have embraced a mantra that echoes through their locker room, their training facilities, and their social media: “All Out for the Best.” It’s more than a motto—it’s a mission.
“It means we don’t cut corners,” says Tyrese. “Not in the gym, not in the classroom, not in how we treat each other. We go all in. Every time.”
This philosophy has begun to yield results. The Celtics’ senior team recently made the NBL playoffs for the first time. Three of their players have received invites to the British Basketball League (BBL) combine. And several academy players have been selected for the England U16 and U18 national squads.
But for the Celtics, success isn’t just about trophies—it’s about transformation.
“We’ve seen kids come in broken—dealing with poverty, trauma, mental health struggles—and leave as confident, powerful, beautiful human beings,” says Yasmin. “That’s winning to me.”
The Road Ahead
With momentum building, the future looks bright. The club is in talks to build a new 2,000-seat arena, and plans are underway to expand their girls’ and women’s teams. Sponsorship offers are rolling in, and the club is preparing to launch its own media channel to stream games and showcase player stories.
“We’re not asking for a handout,” says Coach Asher. “We’re building something sustainable, something that’ll last for generations.”
Still, the road ahead is not without challenges. Basketball in the UK continues to struggle for mainstream attention and funding. Facilities are limited, and national coverage is sparse. But the Celtics don’t seem fazed.
“Pressure is part of the grind,” says Malachi. “And we thrive under pressure.”
Their journey is a testament to what can happen when passion meets purpose. In a town where football has long reigned supreme, a group of ballers, dreamers, and believers are changing the narrative—one bucket at a time.
A Beacon of Possibility
The Bolton Celtics aren’t just a team—they’re a movement. A symbol of resilience, representation, and the power of sport to uplift entire communities. Their story isn’t just about basketball—it’s about what happens when people dare to dream, work together, and go all out for the best.
And if the trajectory of their stars is any indication, this is just the beginning.
From the school gyms of Bolton to the hardwood courts of Europe and beyond, the message is clear: the Celtics are coming. And they’re not coming quietly.
