Category: News

Latest news

Andre Gayle returns 2019-20

Guard Gayle re-signs for Magic

Manchester Magic have re-signed 6ft 4in guard Andre Gayle for the upcoming NBL Division 2 North campaign.

The 24-year-old local has become new head coach Pete Paraskeva’s second key signing following last season’s relegation.

“Andre came through our junior system and understands our focus on development,” said Paraskeva.

“He was fantastic last season and led by example. I’m really happy to keep him with us.”

Gayle’s record last season was impressive in 2018/19 despite the team’s demotion, averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

“I’m just happy to be back,” said Gayle, who joins 6ft 10in forward Richard Bell on the Magic squad for the 2019/20 season.

Manchester Magic and Mystics News

Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics have appointed their first ever welfare officer

Morag Gilronan

Morag Gilronan, who has a daughter in the Mystics programme, has agreed to take on the volunteer role for the forthcoming season.

“It’s a really positive move for us,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

“Safeguarding and child welfare is increasingly important to clubs like ours, so we are taking steps to ensure we are on the front foot.

“Morag has a strong background in social work and safeguarding, so she is the perfect person to take on this new role.”

The club is looking for other adults to join the welfare team, which will be led by Morag.

“We want adults who are passionate about children’s safety and wellbeing who are willing to assist the club on a volunteer basis,” she said.

Anyone interested in joining the welfare team or who wants to find out more, please email the club at welfare@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk or call the office on 0161 881 0090.

Until the welfare team is up and running, Morag will be the point of contact for any welfare concerns.

You can contact her at welfare@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk.

Richard Bell returns 2019-20

Bell boosts Magic by staying put

Manchester Magic have re-signed 6ft 9in forward Richard Bell for the 2019/20 season as they prepare for life in NBL Division 2 North following relegation in April.

The news is a huge positive for new Magic coach Pete Paraskeva.

“I’m really pleased to have Richard on board,” he said. “He will fit in great with our young guys and is passionate about mentoring and helping our juniors.”

Bell, 27, joined the Magic in January 2018 after leaving Manchester Giants.

“I’m very happy to be continuing being part of such a great club and community,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of D2 as a senior as well as being a leader and mentor for our young and talented core.”

Last season for the Magic, Bell played 21 games, starting 12, averaging 14.2 points per game, 9.7 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game.

Magic and Mystics Great Britain

Magic’s Hanson and Faroukou selected in Great Britain U16 final 12 for Europeans

Congratulations to Manchester Magic’s Ceejay Hanson and Victor Ndoukou Faroukou who have been selected in the Great Britain U16 Men’s final 12 for the FIBA European Division B Championships in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Full Squad here

Schedule

Great Britain U16 Men 8-17 August Podgorica, Montenegro – Division B, Group D

8 August GB U16 Men vs Finland at 5:15pm

9 August Slovakia vs GB U16 Men at 5:15pm

10 August Austria vs GB U16 Men at 7:30pm

12 August GB U16 Men vs Belgium at 3:00pm

13 August Romania vs GB U16 Men at 12:45pm

15 August Quarter-Finals / 9-24 Classification Games

16 August Semi-Finals / 5-24 Classification Games

17 August Final / 3-24 Classification Games

Steve Vear Academy US Consultant 2019-20

Academy appoints Vear as US Colleges consulant

The Manchester Magic and Mystics Academy has named Steve Vear as its first ever United States colleges consultant.

The move is designed to give all EABL and WEABL academy players and parents the best advice possible when it comes to pursuing playing and academic opportunities in the US.

“It’s a major step forward for the Academy because it adds expertise in a key area,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

“We want to make sure our players and parents are equipped with all the right information to make the best choice for them.

“Steve has a lot of knowledge and contacts. He also knows British basketball, so it’s the perfect fit.”

Vear, 36, is well known for running Luol Deng’s global player talent camps and has since started She’s Got Next, a recruitment service helping female players in the UK gain scholarships in the US. 

Based in Los Angeles, he played and coached in the UK before moving to the States three years ago.

“It’s no secret many UK players and parents have a tough time with the US college recruitment process,” said Vear.

“I’ve learnt so much over the last five years through my own research. I’ve also gained invaluable knowledge from some key people, like Jackson Gibbons, Lloyd Gardner and Shane Howard.

“I’m now in a place where I feel very confident that I can spread my experiences and knowledge to really make a big difference.”

Vear will meet Magic and Mystics players and parents for this time when he visits Manchester later this month.

Cantwell Academy Coach 2019-20

Magic appoint Cantwell as Academy coach

Paul Cantwell has joined Manchester Magic Academy’s coaching team for the 2019/20 season.

The 28-year-old is already the lead coach for the club’s U12 community and development programme.

The former Manchester Magic and Manchester Giants player, who has also head coached in France and the United States, will begin his new role in September.

He will have specific responsibility for the Academy’s second team, which plays as Loreto 2 in AoC (Association of Colleges) competitions.

“I grew up playing in this elite programme so I’m looking forward to passing on my experience and knowledge,” said Cantwell.  “It’s important that this club continues to grow.”

Club chief executive Phil Gordos added: “It’s a great appointment for us as we continue to build the Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics into a formidable force on and off the floor.”

Basketball England

Magic and Mystics U15s take centre stage

North West will feature a hefty number of Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics players when the inaugural U15 Aspire Tournament takes place at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Belle Vue this weekend.

Toby Akinlade, Ben Brown, Thomas Kelly, Sam Lolenga, Bradley May, Thomas Mayor, Emanuel Oyebadejo and Lucas Ricketts are joined in the boys’ squad by recent Magic recruits Ben Prince, Joe Buchanan and Josh Kubacki.

The Mystics make up 10 of the 12 players on duty in the girls’ event. They are Daisy Bryan, Caitlin Doohan, Saffron Erving-Murphy, Olivia Forster, Esha Nayar, Kizzy Spence, Emily Taylor, Eleni Vourliotis, Jo Vourliotis and Charli Wroe.

The boys have been drawn in Pool A with London, East, Yorkshire and South West.

The girls are in Pool Y with East, South West, South East and West Midlands.

The pool games run on Saturday from 9am, with the classification games on Sunday.

The Aspire Tournaments will bring together 480 players, 120 coaches and 90 officials from across the country.

U15 Aspire Tournament Schedule/Results:

Saturday

9:00am North West Boys 46-38 Yorkshire

10:00am North West Girls 37-18 South West

1:00pm South West 27-35 North West Boys

2:00pm West Midlands 17-42 North West Girls

3:00pm London 34-46 North West Boys

4:00pm South East 25-23 North West Girls

5:00pm East 41-36 North West Boys

6:00pm East 20-33 North West Girls

Sunday

10:00am South 47-60 North West Boys

11:30am North West Girls 48-42 South

1:00-1:30pm Shooting Test Finals (Boys and Girls)

1:30pm Boys Final East 50-72 North West 

3:00pm Girls Final London 32-55 North West

North West Boys and Girls Crowned Aspire U15 Champions 2019

North West U15 2019
Pete Paraskeva Manchester Magic Head Coach 2019-20

Paraskeva to coach Magic’s senior men in 2019/20

Pete Paraskeva will coach Manchester Magic’s senior men’s team in 2019/20.

The 32-year-old steps into the job as Magic prepare for life in NBL Division 2 North following their relegation last season.

A former junior player with the Magic who knows the club inside and out, Pete will combine his new post with his role as head coach with Magic’s EABL and U18 NBL teams.

‘We have a fantastic group of talented young players and I am really looking forward to seeing them compete in Division 2 this season,” said Paraskeva.

“The older heads we have brought in will provide a maturity and experience to guide our juniors as they transition to the senior level.”

“It’s a new era for Magic’s senior team with Pete at the helm and I’m very excited about what lies ahead,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

Simon Fisher took charge of Magic midway through their D1 campaign.

Despite his best efforts, the team finished bottom of the table following a challenging season that began with Aurimas Verbukas at the helm.

“I want to place on record my huge thanks to Simon for the work he did last season,” added Gordos.

“He faced a number of challenges and met them head on like I knew he would.

“His professionalism and enthusiasm rubbed off on others and I’m sure we will continue to feel his impact over the coming years.

“I would also like to thank the players, coaches, physiotherapy team and volunteers who all gave their best during the 2018/19 season.”

Basketball England

Magic and Mystics players line up for North West

Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics will be well represented this weekend when the inaugural U13 Aspire Tournament takes place at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Belle Vue.

Five Magic players – Luca Lara-Sanchez, Robbie Wild, Dom Goodwin, Nathan Brown and Daniel Laycock – have all been selected by North West for the boys’ event.

They have been drawn in Pool A with London, Yorkshire, East Midlands and North East.

Nine Mystics players – Maria Bianco, Carina Costa, Elizandra Costa, Dominique Feurtado, Alex Escriva Gay, Molly Finn, Maisie Keyes, Holly Stones and Isobel Thompson – have been called up by North West for the girls’ campaign.

They are in Pool B with South West, East Midlands, Yorkshire and West Midlands.

The pool games run on Saturday from 10am, with the classification games on Sunday.

The U15s will take centre stage the following weekend.

The Aspire Tournaments will bring together 480 players, 120 coaches and 90 officials from across the country.

U13 Aspire Tournament Schedule/Results:

Saturday

10:00am North West Boys vs East Midlands – NW Win

11:00am North West Girls vs South West – NW Win

1:00pm West Midlands vs North West Girls – NW Win

2:00pm North East vs North West Boys – NW Win

3:00pm Yorkshire vs North West Girls – Yorkshire Win

4:00pm London vs North West Boys – London Win

5:00pm North West Girls vs East Midlands – East Midlands Win

6:00pm Yorkshire vs North West Boys -NW Win

Sunday

10:00am South West vs North West Boys Semi Final – South West Win

10:00am North East vs North West Girls – NW Win

12:00noon South vs North West Girls – South Win

1:00-1:30pm Shooting Test Finals (Boys and Girls)

1:30pm 3rd/4th Place South vs North West Boys – NW Win

2:30pm South East vs North West Girls – NW Win

North West Boys finished 3rd, Girls 5th.

North West U13 2019
Magic and Mystics Great Britain

Magic Alum Cleary selected in Great Britain U20 final 12 for Europeans

Congratulations to Manchester Magic Alum Kaiyem Cleary, who has been selected in the Great Britain U20 Men’s final 12 for the FIBA European Division A Championships in Tel Aviv.

Schedule

Great Britain U20 Men 13-21 July – Group A

13 July Turkey vs GB U20 Men at 2:30pm

14 July GB U20 Men vs France at 4:15pm

15 July Montenegro vs GB U20 Men at 11:45am

17 July Round of 16

18 July Quarter-Finals / 9-16 Classification Games

20 July Semi-Finals / 5-16 Classification Games

21 July Final / 3-16 Classification Games