BUSUMBRU IS BACK WITH THE KESTRELS AFTER 3 YEARS AWAY

Image Courtesy Luke Simcock

In what was perhaps the worst kept secret of the off season for the Kestrels, the club can confirm the return of Luke Busumbru to the court for the 2025/26 season. The 6’3 guard rejoins Coach Guymon’s squad after a 3 year absence from the club.

Busumbru first donned the Kestrels jersey back in 2019 when he made the switch back to basketball after a brief stint with semi pro football. Luke spent 3 years with Solent in which time he helped the club to multiple league titles, cup victories and playoff winners medals, in what was the most successful period in the programmes history.

In 2022 the high octane guard left the south coast to make the jump to, the at the time BBL, with the Surrey Scorchers, where he would feature in the top flight. All before switching back to NBL Division 1 side Essex Rebels for the past two seasons, where he would help to turn the programmes fortunes around, making the NBL Division 1 team of the year.

Alongside his on court role, Luke will also head up our community programme in the role of community implementation manager https://www.solentkestrels.co.uk/post/tsk-appoint-luke-busumbru-as-community-implementation-manager

Luke posted averages of 14.2 ppg, 6.9 apg, 5.8 rpg, 1.3spg last season in NBL Division 1 and we look to build on that this season as he leads Coach Guymon’s squad.

Busumbru gave his thoughts on re joining the Kestrels, “I’m so excited to be a part of the Kestrels Family again. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans at the SSC, and I think we’ve got a great team put together this year that will bring a lot of excitement to the court. The season can’t come fast enough, see you all soon!”

Luke and the squad are in action across the pre season, having already matched up with USA Select they face Portsmouth Force next in the Mick Byrne Memorial Trophy.