SPIRE Academy proudly highlights Connor Elson, a dedicated and resilient dual-sport post graduate student athlete from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England. Playing both basketball and lacrosse, he exemplifies adaptability and inspires his fellow student athletes.

Elson grew up in England playing cricket and soccer before discovering basketball. His love for the sport began around the age of 12 when he attended a basketball camp during a school break, as a cost-effective childcare while his parents were at work. His height and quick growth spurt played to his advantage, leading him to discover his basketball talent. Following camp, he tried out for a basketball club in Leeds and made the team. Reflecting on his introduction to the sport, Elson shared, “I ended up trying out for [this] club and realizing I was pretty good. I was pretty tall for my age. I was one of those quick growers…thus I ended up playing basketball.” He continued playing with that program through graduation.

Elson’s decision to join SPIRE Academy was motivated by his desire to pursue a post graduate program that would open doors to better educational opportunities. SPIRE’s elite post grad program offered him the chance to enhance his skills on the court while also aligning his training and success with his aspirations for the future. Connor was so drawn in by the school’s renowned programs, facilities, and academic offerings, that he enrolled in SPIRE’s Basketball program sight unseen. 

Despite facing a major setback with a knee injury that required surgery just a week before the first basketball game, Elson remained strong. After recovering, Connor found himself interacting more with his friends on the lacrosse team. This connection eventually led to him joining the lacrosse program. Reflecting on his experience, Elson explained how he felt he had missed the basketball season while recovering. However, he found solace through playing lacrosse. Though he wasn’t familiar with the sport, he was willing to work outside of his comfort zone. While initially, he struggled to develop skills, his determination to improve was unwavering. He borrowed equipment from members of the lacrosse team and continued immersing himself in the sport. He officially joined SPIRE’s Lacrosse team in early 2024.

In a recent interview, JD Harkey, Director and Head Coach of Lacrosse at SPIRE, applauded Elson for his contributions, highlighting his positive attitude and eagerness to learn. He noted the strategic parallels between basketball and lacrosse, highlighting Elson’s abilities in both sports. Coach Harkey told us, “Connor brings a lot to our program that is hard to quantify…much of it is camaraderie, attitude, positive energy and willingness to learn. Basketball and lacrosse from a strategy standpoint are extremely similar. A lot of the core concepts of playing man-to-man to help defense versus zone defense, pick and rolls and triangle motions mean there’s a lot of synergy between basketball and lacrosse. Connor has been able to pick up what we are teaching him quite readily because he already has that basketball background. So sometimes he puts things into basketball terms, but the concepts he’s able to understand very easily. He has worked very diligently to cultivate good stick skills for being a guy who did not know what lacrosse was when he came across the pond from England and then only started picking up a stick in January.” Coach Harkey also mentioned how Elson’s teammates are also benefiting from having to catch him up to speed, “It’s another thing to explain it or teach it to someone else…it’s difficult to put things into words that others can understand. His peers gain a better understanding of the game because they must explain it to him in new ways.”

In a candid interview, Elson emphasized the importance of an athlete’s perseverance and active listening skills, “It’s cliché…but stick with it, listen, be able to accept help.” Looking ahead, he anticipates his future as a dual-sport athlete beyond SPIRE, exploring better collegiate opportunities in the United States. He is highly interested in business and finance. Inspired by his parents’ careers in financial advising, he strives to leverage his mathematical aptitude while working toward both academic goals and athletic excellence.

It is extremely rare for one of SPIRE’s student athletes to play more than one sport, and as Connor Elson excels in both basketball and lacrosse, his dedication inspires both his teammates and other athletes. The entire SPIRE community is very proud of him and will eagerly anticipate his future accomplishments, on or off the court and field.