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Manchester Magic

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Anumba and Emeka-Anyakwo shone at Hoopfix All-Star Classic 2018

Michael Anumba’s swansong on British soil before heading to Winthrop University in the United States was described as being “like a man amongst the boys” by Manchester Magic’s new Division One head coach Aurimas Verbukas.

Anumba had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in the Class of 2018 game at the Hoopsfix All Star Classic.

The 18-year-old only missed out on the MVP as his team, Team Black, lost the game by 3 points to Team White.

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo, also 18, played in the Underclassmen game at the Classic and showed what he can do with a solid display for Team White, where he had 8 points and 2 rebounds, who lost 85-71 to Team Black.

Magic Loreto Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo HASC 2018

Emeka-Anyakwo selected for 2018 Hoopsfix All-Star Classic

Manchester Magic and Loreto College’s Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo has been selected to suit up for Team White at the 2018 Hoopsfix All-Star Classic Underclassmen game on Saturday 2nd June at 2:00pm at Brixton Recreation Centre.

The Under-18 NBL National Champion, Emeka-Anyakwo, is also in contention to be selected for this summer’s GB Under-18 squad and was named in the EABL All-West Second Team.

The Hoopsfix All-Star Classic returns for its fourth year after a hiatus last year, showcasing the best talent from around the Country, for full rosters and tickets information visit Hoopsfix.com

Magic Loreto Michael Anumba HASC 2018

Anumba selected for 2018 Hoopsfix All-Star Classic

Manchester Magic and Loreto College’s Michael Anumba has been selected to suit up for Team Black at the 2018 Hoopsfix All-Star Classic Graduating Class game on Saturday 2nd June at 4:00pm at Brixton Recreation Centre.

The Winthrop commit, Anumba, is a six-time National Champion, four-time Finals MVP, and was also named in the EABL All-First Team for the West.

Anumba’s Magic and Loreto team-mate Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo will play in the Underclassmen game at 2:00pm.

The Hoopsfix All-Star Classic returns for its fourth year after a hiatus last year, showcasing the best talent from around the Country, for full rosters and tickets information visit Hoopsfix.com

Coach Ollie

Aurimas Verbukas appointed new Head Coach of Manchester Magic NBL Division One Team

Aurimas Verbukas has been appointed as the new head coach of Manchester Magic’s NBL Division One team.

The Lithuanian replaces Paul Middleton and Toloe Bagheri Danaei, who have decided to step down after several successful seasons at the helm.

Aurimas, 33, has been with the club for four seasons, winning national titles with Magic’s junior programme before spending a season in charge of the Mystics junior programme.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” said Aurimas, aka Coach Ollie.

“Manchester Magic has a big history of success, so to be given a chance to head coach the first team at this club makes me really humble. I am really thankful.

“Paul Middleton is one of the best coaches in Great Britain and both he and Toloe have done great work for many years. To take over from them is a big honour.

“I look forward to building a team that will be a very exciting mixture of youth and experience. I also hope to see all Manchester getting behind us.”

During their time in charge, Paul and Toloe guided the Magic from Division Three to Division One, before winning eight trophies in three stunning seasons.

  • 2014/15: National Trophy and National Cup
  • 2015/16: National Trophy, National Cup, League and Play-offs
  • 2016/17: National Trophy and Play-offs

Following the loss of some key players, this season proved to be a big challenge but almost resulted in another piece of silverware.

The Magic were beaten in the final of the Trophy by Hemel Storm before losing in the semi-finals of the Cup.

In the league, they finished eighth, before losing by a point in overtime to Loughborough Student Riders in the first round of the play-offs.

“Paul and Toloe have been instrumental in putting the Magic on the map at Division One level,” said Greater Manchester Community Basketball chief executive Phil Gordos.

“Their commitment, professionalism and passion for the club, the players and the game in general have ensured we are in great shape moving forward.

“I want to thank them for their hard work and dedication and hope they continue to think of the Magic as their club.”

The Magic will be holding trials for their Division One team in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned across the website and social media for details.

Aaron Menzies NBA draft 2018

Magic and Loreto Alumni Menzies declares for 2018 NBA draft

Former Manchester Magic and Loreto College player Aaron Menzies has announced that he will declare for the 2018 NBA Draft.

The 7ft 3in star only started playing basketball at 16 after being spotted walking down a corridor at Loreto Sixth Form College by Magic senior head coach Paul Middleton.

Now 21, Menzies is currently breaking records at Seattle University in the United States.

A former Great Britain U20 International, Menzies told the Seattle University website that he did not intend to hire an agent, allowing him to retrain his final season of collegiate eligibility.

“This is a great opportunity that will allow me to pursue my dream of playing professional basketball,” he said.

“This process gives me the chance to gain valuable feedback about my career moving forward whilst preserving my NCAA eligibility.”

Menzies averaged 11.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game as Seattle won 20 games in the 2017/18 season.

You can find out more about Aaron’s statistics by clicking here.

You can watch talking about his basketball career by clicking here.

You can watch Aaron in action for the Magic by clicking here. 

Image Credit: Seattle University

Kaiyem Cleary Florida Southern

Cleary books NCAA ticket by joining Florida Southern

Kaiyem Cleary is the latest Manchester Magic player to secure his place in the NCAA, this time with Division Two college Florida Southern.

The 19-year-old guard and former Loreto College student left the Magic a year ago to attend Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Massachusetts

Now, after winning a new legion of fans across the Atlantic, the Greater Britain U18 international has secured a move from prep school to the Mocs, who play in the Sunshine State Conference.

In a post on Twitter, the 6ft 6in Cleary praised the coaching staff at Manchester Magic for “developing me into the player and person I am today”.

He also thanked his family and team-mates for their support.

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

Magic Mystics 3x3 Tournament April 2018

Just Sauce claim U14 3×3 crown

Congratulations to Just Sauce, winners of the inaugural Magic and Mystics U14 3×3 at the Manchester Basketball Centre.

Supported by the Postcode Community Trust, the high-quality tournament attracted teams from Manchester, Oldham and Stockport.

After qualification, six teams battled it out on Finals Day, with Just Sauce, comprising players from Manchester Magic’s U14 programme, taking the title following a great contest with Stockport Falcons Black.

Synergy, made up of members of the Manchester Mystics U14s, finished third.

In the U18 tournament, Team Wavey came out on top, beating Trafford U15s in the final.

A big thanks to all the players, coaches and parents who made the event such a success and to the Postcode Community Trust for its amazing support.

We plan to run more of these events over the next few months, so look out for details.

April 2018 3x3 winners
Basketball Wales

Magic duo get Wales spot for FIBA Europeans

Manchester Magic’s Luke Gordos and Henry Lythe de Pee have been named in the Wales U16 squad for the 2018 FIBA European Championships in San Marino in July.

The duo, who were part of Magic’s victorious U16 National Cup team, are included in a 12-man party following a four-day camp over Easter.

Luke, 15, has also been named co-captain for the tournament, which is being held in San Marino from 3-11 July.

He was also a member of the Wales squad for last year’s Division C campaign in Andorra.

Henry, 16, will be making his European Championship debut thanks to a series of strong performances over the Easter weekend against Derby College, Stockport Falcons, Cheshire Wire and Manchester Magic’s U15 and U16 teams.

Wales, who finished seventh at the 2017 championships, have been drawn in Group B alongside Andorra, GIbraltar, Malta and Scotland. They open their tournament against Malta on 3 July.

Henry Lythe-de-Pee
Luke Gordos Wales U16 2018