Manchester Magic teenager Michael Anumba was already marked out as an enormous talent with a very bright future.

His star is burning even brighter after finishing as the top-ranked player at the prestigious Deng Camp, a four-day gathering in London for the top 50 junior players in the country.

Michael was joined in the top 10 by Magic and Loreto College team-mate Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo, who left Crystal Palace as the seventh-best player, another stunning effort.

We spoke to both players about their experiences…

Wow, what an amazing four days at Deng Camp. How do you sum up the experience?

Michael: It was very tough, both physically and mentally. The best 50 players in the country were there. It was hard. After injuring my knee towards the end of last season, I went there thinking that I wanted to do my best and finish in the top 10. I never thought about being number one. But when I was ranked second after the first day, it pushed me to finish top. Then, when I got to number one, I wanted to stay there.

Arinze: I was just aiming to make the top 20. That was my goal. So to be ranked ninth after day one… I was not expecting that at all. It gave me a massive confidence boost.

Michael, was there a lot of pressure to remain number one?

Michael: Yeah. The other players wanted to guard me, to bring me down and improve their own ranking. I had so much pressure on me. I had lots of messages of support from my friends and family, too. That was extra pressure because I didn’t want to disappoint them.

So to finish number one…. how did that feel?

Michael: Amazing. I didn’t know how to react. For 10 minutes, I couldn’t believe it. To talk to Luol Deng and get respect from Luol Deng was just amazing.

Arinze, seventh spot must have given you a lot of satisfaction?

Arinze: It was a massive surprise. I thought I might have dropped down the rankings after the All Star game. When they got to eight and still hadn’t said by name, I didn’t know what to think. So seventh was amazing.

What’s the most important thing both of you will take from Deng Camp?

Michael: That it’s easy to let laziness take over when the going gets tough. You need to work hard all of the time. I want to thank Arinze for pushing me on. He is a very close friend of mine and he was my room-mate and my team-mate at Deng Camp. We talked a lot, pushing each other on. Arinze helped me a lot.

Arinze: We recognised when each other was a little flat, so we’d encourage each other, have each other’s back. Deng Camp also taught me that I am a different player when I play with confidence, that I need to be focused all the time and need to play to my strengths, like my athleticism, my defence and my ability to initiate the offence.

So is confidence an issue for you?

Arinze: Confidence can be a big issue for me. In practice, I feel very comfortable dribbling the ball, making plays, shooting the ball when I’m open, but I don’t always have that confidence in games. I need to remind myself that I can do this, to stay positive when I make mistakes and to stay focused even when the confidence is not there.

Finally, what has the Deng Camp experience meant to you both?

Michael: It’s made me want to work even harder. I am a target now and a lot more people know who I am. I’m going to have to work harder than I have ever done before.

Arinze: It’s made me want to be a big part of the Division One team, to help the U18s win Final Fours, to get in the top 10 for rebounds in the EABL, and to make a name for myself.

WATCH: Michael Anumba’s Deng Camp highlights here

Magic’s Michael Anumba has been crowned the number 1 Under 18 player in the Country after attending the Deng Top 50 Camp 2017 over 23rd – 26th August, held at Crystal Palace.

He was joined in the top 10 by Arinze Emeka-Anaykwo who ranked 7th, and Josh Pearce was also in attendance representing the Magic.

Both Michael and Arinze made the All-Star game at the end of the camp, which was made up of the top 20 players in attendance.

Michael also picked up the defensive player of the camp to add to his number 1 overall player at the camp a position he held from day 2 to the end of the camp.

Hear what Michael had to say about being number one after day 3 of the camp:

WATCH: Michael Anumba’s Deng Camp highlights here

Magic’s Michael Anumba, Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo and Josh Pearce are among the Top 50 played in Country invited to attend the Deng Camp in Crystal Palace on 23rd – 26th August. Full list here: http://dengcamp.com/news/top-50-list-2017-camp

Magic and Mystics Coach Ollie Verbukas has been selected as one of the Head Coaches at the Camp. A full list of the coaches can be found here

DENGTOP50 is a 4-day residential camp that will invite 50 of the nation’s brightest talents to put their abilities to the test in a bid to be ranked the UK’s #1.

Each of the 50 players are hand-selected by a consortium of coaches and basketball affiliates all over the UK where they will undergo a series of individual drills, combine testing, classroom analysis, strength and conditioning training and competitive games.

Manchester Magic have signed 6′ 6″ American Donte Gittens for the 2017-18 season.

The Franklin Pierce University guard is tipped to be a star on and off the floor for the team as head coach Paul Middleton looks to build on another successful campaign.

The Magic were crowned National League Division One Play-Off champions last season and successfully defended their National Trophy title.

Gittens, who turns 23 on 14th August, will join a squad that includes Lee Goldsbrough, Stefan Gill, Michael Anumba, Kayin Darbey, Ryan Lewis and Tyme Regent-Bascombe.

American Duane Morgan, who was voted MVP in Magic’s two final successes, will not be returning, while Simon Anumba looks destined for a move to Europe after playing a major role last season.

Magic had already established a link with Franklin Pierce before the acquisition of Gittens.

Ellis Cooper, who played a starring role for the senior team in 2014-15 and 2015-16, was also a graduate of the New Hampshire university.

At the end of his collegiate career, in the programme’s All-Time Rankings, Gittens ranks third in total blocks (181), fifth in assists (479), 19th in points (1,311) and 19th in rebounds (551). His 181 blocks ranks 14th in the Northeast-10 Conference All-Time Rankings.

In his senior year, Donte averaged 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, a team-leading 5.6 assists, a team-best 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest. He scored his 1,000 career-point in a career-high 27 point effort at Saint Michael’s on 16th November 2016.

“I can’t wait to get started and work as hard as I can to help this club win games,” said Gittens.

“I’m excited to be playing in Manchester, to see the beautiful city and to be part of the great community.”

Magic coach Paul Middleton added: “We were aware of Donte towards the end of last season and, given some players are moving on, we thought that he would fit in perfectly with our style of play.

“He is an exciting guard that can play and defend multiple positions, giving us some great flexibility with our line-up for next year. He is certain to bring some excitement and energy from the start.”

According to Franklin Pierce assistant basketball coach Eric MacKinnon, Gittens will be a hit.

“Donte is a tall guard who can do a lot of everything,” said MacKinnon.

“He is a spectacular athlete who is nearly impossible to stop when he gets going downhill.

“At 6′ 6″, Donte’s passing and ball-handling made him one of the toughest match-ups in our league the last four years.

“One of Donte’s best attributes is his shot-blocking ability. On top of all that, Donte is a great, young man who the fans and community will love to have around.”

If you want to get a taster of what Donte will be bringing to the Magic next season, click on the following links:

Donte Gittens, Franklin Pierce University, Coast to Coast Dunk #SCTop10

Donte Gittens Alley Oop #SCTop10

Donte Gittens’ Senior Year Highlights