A TRIO of talented young players have made the step up to the Essex Rebels basketball team for their forthcoming Women's British Basketball League season.

Yassin Belle Mbaye, Grace Sinnott and Jadzea Quinn have all linked up with the University of Essex-based professional team, at the Essex Sport Arena.

The three players have received awards from the Sport England-funded Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

TASS is a partnership between talented athletes, education institutions and national governing bodies for sport that aims to bring the best out of the country’s most exciting young sporting talent.

As the first Basketball England Regional Talent Hub, the University of Essex aims to attract talented players emerging from the academy system to continue their development.

Essex Rebels head coach Mark Lloyd said: "We're delighted that we have such a terrific group of younger players from the best academies around the country joining our university programme this year and making the step to work with the senior Rebel players.

"Working with The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) we're able to continue the development time already invested in young players from several high level junior institutions.

"Each of the players brings their own personality and abilities and are already making their mark on campus.

"I really look forward to seeing them mature as senior players over the coming season."

Belle Mbaye joins the Rebels following a fantastic year that has included attending England's under-18 squad training and a successful campaign representing the Bridge Academy, in London.

She joined the University's post-season tour to China following graduation from school, where she began her integration into senior basketball.

She is a very strong rebounder and an athletic player who is also developing a perimeter game in that transition from junior basketball.

Sinnott, who joined the Rebels from the highly-respected Ipswich Basketball Academy, has spent time at college in the US representing Colorado Christian Cougars.

She is a versatile player with strengths in both her inside game and can also step out and score from behind the three-point line, when required.

Quinn, who has just graduated from the highly-successful Myerscough Basketball Academy, has a tenacious guard with a fantastic attitude and desire to learn and improve.

The Rebels have also welcomed Hilary Subi, as part of the Basketball England Talent Hub.

Subi displays a tremendous work ethic and is a tough defensive specialist, with an ability to also run the floor offensively.