Month: August 2018

Magic and Mystics Great Britain

Summer of International Basketball Schedule

Live Streams (if available) should be found: here

Great Britain Summer Schedule:

Great Britain Senior Men World Cup Qualifiers 2019 at Glasgow Emirates Arena

Friday 29th June GB Men 74-65 Estonia at 7:30pm

Monday 2nd July GB Men 59-67 Israel at 7:30pm

GB Men miss out on the second phase of qualification.

Great Britain U20 Women 7-15 July Oradea, Romania – Division B, Group A (Coached by Mystics’ Head Coach Jeff Jones, and support staff include Mystics’ Natalie Chaloner and Dominique Allen)

7th July Israel 72-55 GB at 1:00pm (Video)

8th July GB 61-76 Romania at 5:30pm (Video)

9th July Lithuania 54-65 GB at 3:15pm (Video)

11th July GB 59-70 Ukraine at 3:15pm (Video)

12th July Greece 50-58 GB at 1:00pm (Video)

14th July GB 62-61 Denmark at 1:00pm 9-12 Classifications Games (Video)

15th July GB 64-72 Greece at 1:00pm 9th-10th Classifications Games (Video)

Great Britain U20 Women finish in 10th place

Great Britain U20 Men 14-22 July Chemnitz, Germany – Division A, Group A

14th July GB 62-76 Turkey at 2:45pm (Video)

15th July Montenegro 80-70 GB at 12:30pm (Video)

16th July GB 74-85 Lithuania at 7:15pm (Video)

18th July Croatia 93-62 GB at 12:30pm Round of 16 (Video)

19th July GB 77-64 Greece at 2:45pm 9-16 Classification Games (Video) Division A status secured for 2019.

21st July Ukraine 66-82 GB at 2:45pm 9-12 Classifications Games (Video)

22nd July Lithuania 76-62 GB at 11:15am 9th-10th Classifications Games (Video)

Great Britain U20 Men finish in 10th place

Great Britain U18 Men 28 July – 5 August Liepaja – Ventspils – Riga, Latvia – Division A, Group D (Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo)

28th July GB 87-78 Montenegro at 12:00noon (Video)

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo played 13 minutes had 7 points 3 rebounds 1 steal

29th July Serbia 102-71 GB at 12:00noon (Video)

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo played 16 minutes had 6 points 3 rebounds 2 assists

31st July Lithuania 93-82 GB at 4:30pm (Video)

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo played 14 minutes had 1 rebound 1 steal

1st August Finland 73-77 GB at 12:00noon Round of 16 (Video) Division A status secured for 2019.

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo did not play (injured)

3rd August Latvia 76-51 GB at 4:30pm Quarter Finals (Video)

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo did not play (injured)

4th August GB 68-100 Lithuania at 2:15pm 5th-8th Classification Games (Video)

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo did not play (injured)

5th August GB 70-68 Montenegro at 12:00noon 7th-8th Classifications Games (Video)

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo did not play (injured)

Great Britain U18 Men finish in 7th place

Great Britain U18 Women 3-12 August Furstenfeld – Gussing – Oberwart, Austria – Division B, Group C

3rd August GB 53-50 Austria at 7:15pm (Video)

4th August Turkey 66-59 GB at 7:15pm (Video)

5th August GB 87-70 Montenegro at 2:45pm (Video)

7th August Netherlands 73-67 GB at 12:30pm (Video)

8th August GB 83-62 Denmark at 7:15pm (Video)

10th August GB 73-62 Slovakia at 7:15pm 9th-16th Classification Games (Video)

11th August Greece 60-67 GB at 7:15pm 9th-12th Classification Games (Video)

12th August Romania 56-45 GB at 3:30pm 9th-10th Classification Games (Video)

Great Britain U18 Women finish in 10th place

Great Britain U16 Boys 9-18 August Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Division B, Group A (Saul May)

9th August Ireland 59-69 GB at 1:15pm (Video)

Saul May started, played 22 minutes had 10 points 9 rebounds 1 assist 1 block

10th August GB 70-92 Romania at 3:30pm (Video)

Saul May started, played 20 minutes had 3 points 2 rebounds 2 blocks

11th August Luxembourg 37-89 GB at 3:30pm (Video)

Saul May started, played 19 minutes had 4 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 2 blocks

13th August GB 53-52 Portugal at 8:00pm (Video)

Saul May played 19 minutes had 3 points 7 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals

14th August Sweden 77-79 GB at 3:30pm (Video)

Saul May played 7 minutes had 2 steals

16th August Russia 78-70 GB at 3:30pm Quarter Final (Video)

Saul May started, played 25 minutes had 3 rebounds 2 assists

17th August GB 71-83 Poland at 1:15pm 5th-8th Classification Games (Video)

Saul May played 24 minutes had 9 points 4 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal

18th August Romania 76-80 GB at 1:00pm 7th-8th place Classification Games (Video)

Saul May played 10minutes had 2 points 1 steal

Great Britain U16 Men finished in 7th place

Great Britain U16 Girls 16-25 August Podgorica, Montenegro – Division B, Group A (Jade Mbam)

16th August MKD 44-53 GB at 5:15pm (Video)

(Captain) Jade Mbam started, played 35 minutes had 20 points 2 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals

17th August GB 43-60 Sweden at 2:00pm (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 32 minutes had 2 points 1 assist 1 steal

18th August Montenegro 49-43 GB at 7:30pm (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 21 minutes had 3 points 2 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal

20th August GB 51-37 Iceland at 5:15pm (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 32 minutes had 9 points 2 steals

21st August GB 24-58 Greece at 2:00pm (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 31 minutes had 2 points 2 rebounds 1 assist

23rd August Estonia 42-28 GB at 12:45pm 9th-16th place Classification Games (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 34 minutes had 2 points 3 rebounds 4 assists 1 steal 1 block

24th August GB 58-66 Ireland at 12:45pm 13th-16th place Classification Games (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 30 minutes had 3 rebounds 1 assist

25th August Switzerland 49-52 GB at 10:30am 15th-16th place Classification Games (Video)

Jade Mbam started, played 22 minutes had 1 rebound 1 steal

Great Britain U16 Women finish in 15th place

Wales Summer Schedule:

Wales U16 Boys 3-11 Julys Serravalle, San Marino – Division C, Group B (Ben Gordos and Henry Lythe De Pee)

3rd July Malta 60-71 Wales at 1:30pm

Luke Gordos played 37 minutes had 22 points 7 rebounds 9 assists 3 steals

Henry Lythe De Pee played 7 minutes had 1 rebound  

5th July Wales 68-71 Gibraltar at 7:00pm

Luke Gordos played 17 minutes had 3 points 7 rebounds 3 assists 

Henry Lythe De Pee played 22 minutes had 5 points 2 rebounds 4 assists 2 steals

7th July Scotland 58-65 Wales at 11:30am

Luke Gordos played 37 minutes had 16 points 11 rebounds 5 assists 4 steals 1 block

Henry Lythe De Pee played 11 minutes had 2 rebounds 1 steal

8th July Wales 56-50 Andorra at 4:30pm

Luke Gordos played 29 minutes had 7 points 4 rebounds 4 assists 4 steals

Henry Lythe De Pee played 9 minutes had 4 points 1 rebounds

10th July Wales 66-56 San Marino at 7:00pm (Semi-Final)

Luke Gordos played 39 minutes had 20 points 4 rebounds 4 assists 3 steals 3 blocks

Henry Lythe De Pee played 8 minutes had 2 points 2 rebounds 1 assist

11th July Andorra 84-49 Wales at 6:00pm (Final)

Luke Gordos played 21 minutes had 10 points 5 rebounds 1 assist

Henry Lythe De Pee played 13 minutes had 2 points 2 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal

Wales U16 Boys finish in second place

This page will be updated with results, information of players from the club that are involved and their stats.

Magic sign Jonathan Barnes 2018-19

Manchester Magic add 6ft 10in American Centre to roster

The Manchester Magic have signed 6ft 10in American centre Jonathan Barnes for their 2018-19 NBL Division One season.

The 23-year-old joins the Magic after completing his senior year at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS), having spent the previous three years at the University of Wyoming.

In his senior year at UCCS, he played in 29 games, making 18 starts, averaging 17.2 minutes per game, 6.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game and 0.6 blocks per game.

“I am looking forward to being a part of the Manchester Magic family,” said Barnes.

“Basketball has given me the opportunity to travel the world and expand my horizons.

“Manchester is a beautiful city with a rich sports culture that I am excited to be a part of. Go Magic! ”

Magic head coach Aurimas Verbukas is delighted to bringing in Barnes, saying, “Jonathan is a big player that can defend very well.

“We are building a team with defence first in mind and he fits the bill with that philosophy very well.

“At 6ft 10in, he is very agile and mobile which enables him to guard smaller players.

“He is a very well respected character and his coaches and teammates from college speak highly of him.

“We are looking forward to welcoming him to the Manchester community.”

Barnes will help to fill the void left by the departing Lee Goldsbrough and will join fellow American Josh Davenport at the Magic.

“The loss of Lee Goldsbrough, a hugely important player for us, meant we needed a big man to fill his boots,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

“In Jonathan, we believe we have found someone who will be a massive presence at both ends of the floor. 

“He will also be helping us with our work in schools and our community programme. I think he will be a big hit here, too.

“If any schools would like a visit from 6ft 10in tall American, then give us a call!”

Highlights from University of Wyoming:

Magic Daniel Pilkington returns 2018-19

Pilkington returns to Magic for 2018-19 season

The Manchester Magic have signed former Magic player Daniel Pilkington for the NBL Division One Men 2018-19 Season.

The 6ft 7in, 26 year old British Forward, Pilkington, brings BBL-experience to the Magic line-up, having had a spell with former BBL-side Mersey Tigers in the 2012-13 season. In more recent years he has played for NBL Division 2 side, Liverpool.

Pilkington came through the Magic junior ranks and made three appearances at the annual Haris Memorial Tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2008. For the Magic in the National League he won two League and Cup doubles at both U16 and U18 level, and played two seasons at seniors in level between 2010 and 2012, before his move to the Tigers.

Commenting about his return to the Magic, Pilkington said, “I spent 10 years with the Magic, at junior and senior level. I’m excited to be welcomed back to the club I called home for so many years.

“I’ve had a lot of success in the past with the club and hoping this year won’t be any different.

“I crave winning; I think with the coaching staff and the players coming in for next season we can do some real damage in this league.

“Coach [Verbukas] also shares my passion for developing young talent, I’m looking forward to being a part of the journey in that this season.”

Magic Head Coach Aurimas Verbukas explains why he was so keen to bring Pilkington back to the club, saying, “I have been speaking with Daniel for a few months now about joining our team and helping a young team. 

“He has great leadership skills; he will be an invaluable asset for our juniors. 

“He can play multiple positions and he is a good rebounder and defender, I always have soft spot for players that give all they have on defence. 

“Daniel is another former player returning to his home club, which is good to see that former players want to return to where it all started for them.” 

Jade Mbam GB U16 2018

Mbam selected for Great Britain U16 at European Championships

Manchester Mystics’ Jade Mbam has been selected to represent Great Britain U16 Women at the Division B European Championships in Podgorica, Monenegro on 16th to the 25th August.

They play MKD (Macedonia), Sweden, Montenegro, Iceland and Greece in their group stages in Group A, their schedule is as follows:

16th August MKD vs GB at 5:15pm

17th August GB vs Sweden at 2:00pm

18th August Montenegro vs GB at 7:30pm

20th August GB vs Iceland at 5:15pm

21st August GB vs Greece at 2:00pm

23rd August Classification Games

24th August Classification Games

25th August Classification Games

Manchester Mystics

Mystics juniors begin pre-season in Barrow

Manchester Mystics junior programme began their pre-season on Saturday with three games at Barrow’s Hoops Centre.

The Mystics were joined by the Glasgow Lady Rocks, who travelled down for a mini-camp, and invited the Mystics Under 14 1, Mystics Under 16 Development, and Mystics Under 18 squads for a series of pre-season friendlies.

The Mystics Under 14s kicked off proceedings with an energetic performance, as they got their first run out since last season came to a close in April.

The Mystics Under 16 Development team were next to play, the squad included a number of the Mystics Under 14s. They had a good spirited fight back, following a nervy start, showing encouraging signs for the team in their first game as a group.

The final game of the day was played by the Mystics Under 18s, who closed out the afternoon with a high-octane game against a side that contained a number of senior women amongst the Glasgow team’s ranks.

In a game that would have pleased the neutral observers, the girls met the physical challenge posed by the Lady Rocks, as they maintained a furious pace.

The day overall, represented a positive start to preparations for the 2018/19 campaign, as the Mystics look to kick on from big strides made in the previous season.

Saul May GB U16 2018

May selected for Great Britain U16 at European Championships

Manchester Magic’s Saul May has been selected to represent Great Britain U16 Men at the Division B European Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on 9th to the 18th August.

They play Ireland, Romania, Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden in their group stages in Group A, their schedule is as follows:

9th August Ireland vs GB at 1:15pm

10th August GB vs Romania at 3:30pm

11th August Luxembourg vs GB at 3:30pm

13th August GB vs Portugal at 8:00pm

14th August Sweden vs GB at 3:30pm

16th August Classification Games

17th August Classification Games

18th August Classification Games

For updates visit our Summer of International Basketball page

Magic sign Joshua Davenport 2018-19

Manchester Magic add exciting American Davenport to roster for 2018-19 season

The Manchester Magic have added 6ft 6in American Forward Joshua Davenport to their roster for the NBL Division One Men 2018-19 Season.

The 24 year-old Winthrop University graduate, Davenport, joins the Magic from American Basketball Association side Georgia Gwizzlies. During his time at Winthrop, he averaged (per 40 minutes), 11.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game. He once had a run of 11 consecutive games with at least one steal. For Georgia Gwizzlies he averaged 25 points per game, 8 rebounds per game and 8 assists per game.

Davenport is excited to be joining the Magic, he commented, “I’m very excited to begin playing for the Manchester Magic. I’ve done my research and it is one of the best places to come to in England.

“I’m extremely happy to be able to play in front of the people in Manchester, and to also try to bring a championship back the Magic.

“I cannot wait to get started with these guys and get the ball rolling!”

Magic Head Coach Aurimas Verbukas was impressed with the qualities Joshua will bring, saying, “Joshua is the type of player we were looking for. He can play and guard multiple positions which fit with how we will try to play next season.

“We are building a defensive minded team. Josh is a great on and off ball defender, but also an offensive threat.

“I have been talking with him for the last couple of months and I am convinced that his character will fit well with our team and everyone in Manchester will love him.

“His coaches speak highly of him, so I am looking forward to seeing him join our team.”

Brian Kloman, an assistant from Winthrop commented, “Josh is an extremely impressive player and person. He plays extremely hard and always puts the team first.

“He is a leader and someone that will pour into the great Manchester community. He was a very vital part of our NCAA tournament team and multiple championships at Winthrop University.

“We are extremely excited he is coming to such a great organization as the Manchester Magic.”

Davenport will be working in our community programme, visiting schools and inspiring children across Manchester to get involved with basketball.

“He’s the type of player our organisation needs.” said club chief executive Phil Gordos, “He will excite fans and be an asset on and off the floor. I’m delighted he is coming to Manchester.”