Category: Aumni

Chance to catch up with Magic legend Lovedale

We have been given a fantastic opportunity to catch up with Andrew Lovedale, a former Manchester Magic and Loreto Basketball Academy player. He will be talking about his life at the ABC on Tuesday 24th April from 8:15pm. For those that may not know who Andrew is, here’s a quick summary…

Andrew visited London from Nigeria, heard about Magic’s reputation and attended one of our camps. Raw but very talented, he ended up moving to Manchester, where he studied and played. He represented Magic junior and senior teams before winning a place at famed US college Davidson. There, he played alongside a certain Steph Curry. Andrew was a very good player in his own right and played pro basketball in France. Now he runs a charity that works to improve lives in his homeland. He credits Magic and Joe Forber for helping him grow on and off the court.

More about Andrew’s background can be found here: https://a2sfoundation.org/story/

“I think this is a wonderful chance for current U18 and U16 players to hear from someone who has come through the basketball programme here, someone who has a real story to tell,” said Magic and Mystics CEO Phil Gordos.

“Andrew is making a special journey to Manchester while in the UK, so it would be brilliant if we could make sure there is a great turnout for him. We’ll be urging all teams who train on Tuesday night to stay for up to an hour afterwards. Those U16 teams who don’t train on Tuesday are more than welcome to attend, too.”

Image credits: A2S Foundation

Michael Anumber Winthrop

Anumba ready to woo Winthrop

Micheal Anumba is the latest player off the Manchester Magic and Loreto Basketball Academy production line to make it to the United States.

The 18-year-old point guard has received a full scholarship to attend Winthrop University, a NCAA Division One college in South Carolina.

We asked him why he chose the Eagles….

MA: “Because of the education and the basketball. Both are very good. I was very impressed with the coach when I went out to visit, too. I love his passion and how hard he works. The facilities are also amazing. The court is just beautiful.”

Why did Winthrop choose you?

MA: “The coach said I’ve got ABC. I’ve got academics, basketball and character. He said I was the perfect player to fit into the Winthrop programme.”

What else did you like about Winthrop?

MA: “I loved how much they wanted me and how much work they put into recruiting. They have other players from all around the world and it felt like one big family. It’s also sunny and hot. When I went out there earlier in the year, it was 20 degrees.”

What are you expecting in your first year?

MA: “I’m going to work hard and earn everyone’s respect. I want to make the team better and become part of the Winthrop family. It’s an experience I’m really looking forward to.”

How has playing for Magic and Loreto prepared you?

MA: “Being coached by Paul (Middleton) and Pete (Paraskeva) has shaped me as a player and as a person. I want to thank them, Magic and Loreto for the opportunities they have given me and for making me the player I am. They have made me a leader and I want to be able to continue my development when I get to Winthrop.”

What will you be studying?

MA: “Accounting and finance.”

What will you miss most about Manchester?

MA: “Definitely not the weather. I’ll miss how much people care about me.”

Winthrop announced Michael’s signing on their twitter account

US College Update

US College Update 2018

It’s March so it’s the time of year when US Colleges are in play-off action and with a number of our former Manchester Magic and Mystics junior players currently out in the USA playing at various Colleges we thought it would be nice to give everyone an update as to how they’ve got on this season.

Aaron Menzies (Redshirt Junior) at Seattle University (NCAA Division 1 – WAC) record 20-13

Season stats: Played 33 games, 32 starts, 26.6 minutes per game, 11.1 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 2.2 blocks per game.

WAC Championship

Seattle U beat UTRGV 77-60 in the Quarter Finals on Thursday 8th March in Las Vegas, Nev at 8:30pm (PT), Aaron played 31 minutes had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Seattle U lost 84-79 to New Mexico State in the Semi Finals on Friday 9th March in Las Vegas, Nev at 8:30pm (PT), Aaron played 34 minutes had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks.

Aaron earned Second Team All-WAC Honours and was also named to the All-Defensive Team.

From team’s website: Menzies averaged a double-double of 10.6 points and 10.6 rebounds during the 14-game WAC slate. The 7-3 center shot 55.6 percent from the field and 66.1 percent from the charity stripe, leading the Redhawks in made free throws during league action. His rebound average ranked second among all WAC players and his field goal percentage was fifth. His 34 blocks (2.4 per game) ranked first in the WAC, as did his 3.7 offensive boards per game.

Patrick Whelan (Senior) and Pharroh Gordon (Redshirt Junior) at William Jewell College (NCAA Division 2 – GLVC) record 20-9

Patrick’s season stats: Played 29 games, 29 starts, 31.9 minutes per game, 17.9 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game.

Pharroh’s season stats: Played 29 games, 28 starts, 34.5 minutes per game, 14.8 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game.

William Jewell lost 70-65 to top seed Bellarmine University in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship Tournament.

Pharroh played 39 minutes had 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steal (his 14th double-double of the season). Patrick played 30 minutes had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Patrick and Pharroh picked up All-Great Lakes Valley Conference team selections, with Patrick one of ten athletes listed on the first team, while Pharroh earned second team and All-Defensive team honours.

From team’s website: Whelan, who will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the Cardinal uniform, earns his second career postseason honor after making the All-GLVC second team and All-Defensive team last season. In his final go around he averaged 18.2 points per game, which was fourth in the GLVC, to go along with 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He leads the league with 2.9 three point field goals per game and was seventh with a 38.5 percent clip from behind the arc. The senior will also graduate ranked in the top 25 in career scoring average (12th), three point field goals made (fourth), three point field goals attempted (fourth), three point field goal percentage (11th), free throws made (25th), free throw percentage (17th), starts (eighth), minutes played and averaged (eighth), field goals made (18th), field goals attempted (14th). 

Despite being just 6’4 and a guard, Gordon erupted into a double-double machine posting 13 on the season which is third in the GLVC and 16th nationally. In total he pulled down 296 rebounds during the regular season which is 12th in division II, including 256 on the defensive end (9.2 per game) which is second in the nation and second all-time in a single season at Jewell, trailing only Kirk Chastain’s 281 set back in the 1978-79 season. Gordon closed the regular season with a double-double in five of his final six games and pulled down 20, 13, 13, 17, and 13 rebounds during that stretch. His 20 rebound game versus Truman State was only four shy of a 62 year old record. On the season Gordon averaged 14.5 points and 10.6 rebounds, making him one of only three players to average a double-double in the GLVC, while also dishing out 2.8 assists, and leading the team with 50 steals. 

Kingsley Nwagboso (Junior) at Francis Marion University (NCAA Division 2 – PBC) record 20-10

Season stats: Played 30 games, 3 starts, 10.4 minutes per game, 2.8 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game.

Francis Marion beat North Georgia 83-54 in the Quarter-Finals of the PBC Tournament, Kingsley played 7 minutes had 2 points, 1 steal, and lost to UNC Pembroke 94-75 in the Semi-Finals, Kingsley played 6 minutes had 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist.

Francis Marion lost 75-72 to UNC Pembroke in the NCAA II Southeast Regional (first round) on Saturday 10th March at Harrogate, TN at 12:00noon. Kingsley played 4 minutes had 1 rebound.

Gina Brierley (Sophomore) at Saint Leo University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) record 13-16

Season stats: Played 27 games, 26 starts, 31.3 minutes per game, 8.0 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game

Saint Leo lost 78-47 to Florida Southern in the SSC Tournament Quarter-Finals. Gina played 28 minutes had 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

Leah McDerment (Senior) at University of Massachusetts (NCAA Division 1 – A10) record 14-16

Season stats: Played 29 games, 19 starts, 28.8 minutes per game, 4.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game

UMass lost 70-64 Saint Louis in the A10 Tournament. Leah played 33 minutes had 4 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Leah holds the record for all-time most appearances for the programme (120) and made 101 starts.

Harriet Swindells (Freshman) at Barry University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) record 19-11

Season stats: Played 30 games, 0 starts, 18.7 minutes per game, 6.8 points per game, 1.4 rebounds per game, 0.7 assists per game.

Sunshine State Conference Tournament 

Barry U beat Tampa 71-68 in the Quarter Finals on Wednesday 28th February, Harriet played 15 minutes had 1 assist.

Barry U lost 72-57 to Fla. Southern in the Semi Finals on Saturday 3rd March, Harriet played 29 minutes had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

Jessica Eadsforth-Yates (Freshman) at Cochise College (NJCAA – ACCAC) record 29-2

Season stats: Played 27 games, 0 starts, 5.1 points per game, 1.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game.

Regional 1 Championship

Cochise College beat Central Arizona 78-63 on Thursday 9th March to be crowned District A champions.

National Championship

Wednesday 21st March Game 14 at 3:00pm (CDT) 5th seed Cochise College 54-57 Walters State, Jessica played 5 minutes, had 1 steal.

Kaiyem Cleary is at Redemption Christian Academy (Prep School – New York Section 2 Freelance)

Season Stats: 20.4 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game

Kaiyem ranked #58 in New England top 100 list and #19 in the Massachusetts Class of 2018 top 40 list.

(data accurate on 22/03/2018)

Haris Tournament

Special exhibition game to kick off this year’s Haris Tournament

A special exhibition game featuring past and present Manchester stars will kick off this year’s Haris Charalambous Memorial Basketball Tournament, which runs from Wednesday 27th December to Friday 29th December at the Amaechi Basketball Centre.

Several exciting names are signed up, with details to follow in the next few days.

The exhibition game tips off at 4pm on day one, followed by the tournament’s first round of matches at 6pm and 8pm.

Manchester Magic U18s will face local rivals Myerscough College in their Pool A opener, while England U18s face Danish side Værløse in Pool B.

At 8pm, Spain’s CB Novaschool take on Elite Academy Antwerp from Belgium in Pool A, while Magic’s U16s meet Charnwood College Riders in Pool B.

The full tournament schedule.

Tickets for the annual three-day event are £3 for day one, £4 for day two and £5 for day three. Alternatively, you can buy a £10 ticket that covers all three days. Call 0161 881 0090 to buy your ticket now.

Kaiyem Cleary Moves on

Magic and Loreto star Cleary to make US switch

Kaiyem Cleary has enjoyed a stellar summer, helping Great Britain’s Under-18s clinch promotion to Division A of the FIBA European Championships.

The Manchester Magic and Loreto College star, 18, now heads to the United States to continue his flourishing basketball career.

We caught up with him before he left…

Congratulations. A great summer with GB and now you’re off to the US. What emotions are currently running through your head?

Kaiyem: The main one is just excitement. This is what I have been working towards since I came to the club as a 12-year-old. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. Now that it’s happening, it feels like a dream. It doesn’t seem real and it hasn’t really sunk in. I can’t wait to go and I’m so excited.

Tell me more about the GB experience…. was it everything you thought it would be?

Kaiyem: It was and so much more. As a team, we played very well and I was proud of my overall performance. I’ve come back a better player thanks to the whole experience. I had a lot of faith in the players and the coaches, so I expected us to do well, but it was mindblowing to finish second and make the country proud. We worked so hard. I also give a lot of credit to Coach Alan (Keane). He coached us well and knew what to do with the players.

And now you are off to the States…. where exactly are you going and why?

Kaiyem: I’m going to prep school for a year, to Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Massachusetts. I want another year of improvement and to experience life in the States before I go to college. I want to be the best player I possibly can be before making that step.

Kaiyem Cleary

It means you say goodbye to the Magic and Loreto… how will you look back on your time here?

Kaiyem: I want to thank the club and the coaches so much. They have given me everything… the tools to succeed. I wouldn’t be the player I am without them.

What’s your favourite memory from your time with Magic?

Kaiyem: Winning the national title with Magic U16s in 2015. We’d been beaten by Cheshire Wire three times during the season, by around 30 points each time. But when we played them at Final Fours, we were so fired up that we blew them off the floor. Then, in the final, we beat Newham Youngbloods. I was given MVP after scoring 26 points with 9 rebounds.

And with Loreto?

Kaiyem: The first EABL game this season against Bournville College. I scored 36 points and was named EABL Player of the Week. Being part of the Loreto basketball programme has been very rewarding. We’ve been up against some very good teams with older players, yet we’ve worked hard and battled really well. Loreto has given me a lot.

Finally, what’s the one piece of advice you would give players looking to follow in your footsteps?

Kaiyem: You’ve got to work hard and work consistently, both on and off the court. You have to take care of the little things, too, like stretching, hydrating, eating and sleeping well. And of course, it’s very important to stay on top of your school work.

Thanks and good luck.

Gina Brierley

Mystics Alumni Brierley’s progress with GB Under 20s at European Championships

Mystics Alumni Gina Brierley was selected in the final 12 of the GB Under 20 Women’s squad for the FIBA Under 20 Women’s European Championships in Israel.

Gina came through the Manchester Mystics’ junior programme and represented the senior team in the WBBL before heading to the US to attend Saint Leo University as a Freshman last year.

GB Under 20 Women Schedule/Results:

Division B – 8th – 16th July – Group B in Eilat, Israel

Sat 8th at 6:30pm GB 69 – 46 Ireland Gina played 9 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 steal

Sun 9th at 4:15pm GB 74 – 48 Romania Gina played 7 minutes, 2 points, 1 steal

Mon 10th at 4:15pm GB 50 – 88 Israel Gina played 18 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound

Wed 12th at 2:00pm GB 58 -70 Belarus Gina did not play

Thu 13th at 6:30pm GB 38 – 72 Croatia Gina played 21 minutes, 1 point, 1 rebound, 2 assists 

Sat 15th at 2:00pm GB 71 – 77 Czech Republic 5-8 Classification Games, Gina played 3 minutes

Sun 16th at 1:30pm GB 49 – 77 Israel 7th/8th Classification Games, Gina played 18 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound

GB Under 20 Women finished 8th

(UK times, follow links for LiveStats)

All GB games for U20, U18 and U16 Men and Women will be Live Streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fiba

Gina Brierley

Mystics Alumni Brierley earns GB U20 squad call up

Congratulations to Mystics Alumni Gina Brierley who has been selected to attend Great Britain Under 20 Women’s training camp in preparation for this year’s FIBA European Championships.

Gina came through the Manchester Mystics’ junior programme and represented the senior team in the WBBL before heading to the US to attend Saint Leo University as a Freshman last year.

US College Tournament Update

US College Tournament Update

Kingsely Nwagboso was the last man standing of our players currently out in America in the US College System, as his Connor States side were involved in the NJCAA Division 1 National Championships, here’s how his team got on.

Kingsley Nwagboso (Sophomore) at Connors States (NJCAA Division 1)
Connors States Won the NJCAA Division 1 Region 2 Championship and advanced to the National Tournament as the number 17 seed (seeds are in brackets)
NJCAA Division 1 National Championships

First Round on Monday 20th March 11am EDT vs Spartanburg (#16) won 96 – 90 Kingsley played 2 minutes and grabbed 2 rebounds.

Second Round on Tuesday 21st March 3pm EDT vs San Jacinto-Central (#1) lost 77 – 115 Kingsley played 9 minutes scored 3 points, grabbed 1 rebound and blocked 1 shot.

(updated on 22/03/2017 at 12:31)

US College Tournament Update

US College Tournament Update

Last week we gave you an update to our former players currently playing out in America in the US College system, this week we have a couple of Tournament updates for you.

Aaron Menzies (Sophomore) at Seattle University (NCAA Division 1)
WAC Championship Quarter Final Lost 53 – 65 to Utah Valley on 9th March, Aaron DNP (injured)

Pharroh Gordon (Sophomore) at College of Saint Rose (NCAA Division 2)
College of Saint Rose made the NCAA Division Tournament
First Round Won 94 – 58 vs Bloomfield, Pharroh played 4 minutes, 3 points and 3 rebounds.
Second Round Won 67 – 47 vs Southern Connecticut State, Pharroh played 11 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Third Round Lost 66 – 69 vs Saint Thomas Aquinas, Pharroh DNP.

Kingsley Nwagboso (Sophomore) at Connors States (NJCAA Division 1)
Connors States Won NJCAA Division 1 Region 2 Championship to advance to the National Tournament.
Quarter Finals Won 87 – 85 vs Redlands
Semi Finals Won 74 – 72 vs Seminole State (OK)
Final Won 69 – 64 vs Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa
(no stats available at time of posting)
NJCAA Division 1 National Championships First Round on Monday 20th March 11am vs Spartanburg

(data accurate on 15/03/2017)

US College Update

US College Update

It’s March so it’s the time of year when US Colleges are in play-off action and with a number of our former junior players currently out in the USA playing at various Colleges we thought it would be nice to give everyone an update as to how they’ve got on this season.

Aaron Menzies (Sophomore) at Seattle University (NCAA Division 1) record 13-16
Seattle begin their WAC Championship play-offs against Utah Valley on 9th March
Season stats: Played 14 games, 14 starts, 21.8 minutes per game, 12.3 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 1.1 blocks per game (Aaron has been out injured since the last update)

Patrick Whelan (Junior) at William Jewell College (NCAA Division 2) record 9-17
Season stats: Played 26 games, 25 starts, 35.7 minutes per game, 19.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game

Patrick has picked up two awards All-GLVC Second Team and All-GLVC Defesive Team
and is a James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award Nominee

He was 3rd in his conference in scoring and three-point shooting percentage (44.5%) and led the conference in minutes played per game. 

Patrick also passed 1,000 career points at William Jewell this season, the 41st person to do so in the programme’s history.

Pharroh Gordon (Sophomore) at College of Saint Rose (NCAA Division 2) record 24-7
College of Saint Rose made the NE10 Conference Championships
Quarter Final 93 – 80 Win against Franklin Pierce, Pharroh did not play
Semi Final 63-65 Loss against Southern New Hampshire, Pharroh played 3 minutes and had 1 rebound.
Season stats: Played 20 games, 0 starts, 5.4 minutes per game, 1.3 points per game, 1.0 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 0.3 steals per game

Kingsley Nwagboso (Sophomore) at Connors States (NJCAA Division 1) record 14-4
Connors States begin their Post Season schedule on 8th March – 11th March
Season stats: Played 22 games, 0 starts, 5.2 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 0.6 assists per game, 0.5 blocks per game

Leah McDerment (Junior) at University of Massachusetts (NCAA Division 1) record 9-21
UMass made the A10 Tournament
Round 1 51 – 91 loss to Saint Louis, Leah played 40 minutes had 8 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and a block.
Season stats: Played 30 games, 30 starts, 37.8 minutes per game, 6.2 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 5.2 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game

Gina Brierley (Freshman) at Saint Leo University (NCAA Division 2) record 9-18
Saint Leo made the SSC Tournament
Round 1 55 – 91 loss to Fla. Southern, Gina started and played 27 minutes had 2 rebounds and  3 assists.
Season stats: Played 27 games, 27 starts, 28.7 minutes per game, 6.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game

(data accurate on 05/03/2017)