A young basketball star at Oaklands Wolves has shown she has more than just on-court talent - after winning a Basketball England end of season award.

Academy captain Caitlin Ryan has been named as the national statistician of the year, a prize given across the top three divisions of men’s basketball, and the top two of the women’s game.

And the 16-year-old from Bishop’s Stortford has become the youngest to ever win it.

She became trained as an official during the COVID-19 pandemic and has worked as a statistician at the top level since, including the recent WBBL play-off final at the O2.

Ryan said: "I first started as a statistician during lockdown which was great for me as it meant that I was still able to watch games in person.

"That helped me to pass my advanced stats course when I was 14 and this year I’ve mainly been doing WBBL and Division Two men’s games available at Oaklands.

"Previously I’ve done BBL games for London Lions as well.  My favourite games to do the stats for are the hoopsfix.com all star games which I’ve done for the past two years."

She went to says the St Albans-based college has been instrumental in getting her to this stage, adding: "Being at Oaklands has helped me to grow as a player and official as there are numerous games where I can work as a statistician or as a table official.

"I feel by knowing both aspects of the game it’s helped improve my knowledge and IQ as a player."

The college's head of basketball, Michael Ball, said: "Not only is she a dedicated student of the game, she has progressed so quickly as a statistician and she thoroughly deserves this award.

"Seeing her and her mother at the O2 on the table was just wonderful.

"As an academy we try to help our student athletes develop their skills around the game that adds to their own future employment opportunities and I think Caitlin has grabbed that opportunity with both hands."

Basketball England's Stewart Kellett added: "As our game continues to grow, the importance of quality statisticians is heightened, and as a sport we are proud of the growing group of statisticians we have.

"So to be recognised as the national leader in this space is a testament to the continued excellence Caitlin has displayed.

"Officials are the lifeblood of the sport, so I want to thank Caitlin for being a role model for all developing and aspiring officials."