Category: News

Manchester Magic sign former junior Gayle for 2018/19

Manchester Magic have signed former junior Andre Gayle for the 2018/19 NBL Division 1 season.

The 6ft 4in shooting guard joins from NBL Division 2 side Liverpool, where he played 18 games last season.

He made 13 starts, averaging 26.2 minutes, 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

The 23 year-old is Magic’s third signing of the summer, joining the returning Kayin Darbey and new-recruit Ali Sbai.

“I am very much excited to be back at my home town team and I am excited to play for a coach who is so passionate and has so much love for the game like Coach Ollie does,” said Gayle.

He made two appearances as a Magic junior at the annual Haris Memorial Tournament in 2011 and 2012, with the Magic finisheing second and third respectively.

He also won back-to-back National Cup titles with the Magic.

Gayle is the nephew of former Magic player and British basketball legend Steven Gayle.

Speaking about his uncle’s influence on him, Gayle said: “I first got into basketball when I went to high school because my uncle was the basketball coach at my school.

“I then started to take basketball more seriously and joined Manchester Magic at 15.”

Magic head coach Verbukas said: “I am happy to see one of our juniors returning. This fits well with our club ethos and philosophy of loyalty.

“Andre is a good player that will make a big impact straight away.

“The qualities he will bring to the team are his court vision, shooting ability and leadership potential that will go a long way to aiding the development of our juniors around him.”

July 16, 2018July 17, 2022

Barney Blake joins Manchester Basketball Programme

Barney Blake has joined the club, where he will be performing performance analysis duties for the Division 1 men’s team, in addition to becoming a member of the junior girls’ coaching programme.

Barney has previously worked with Great Britain & England national teams as a performance analyst and spent the previous season coaching with Myerscough College’s women’s programme.

He recently led the North West Under 13 Girls to second at the Regional Development Tournament in Manchester.

“Barney will bring a skill set to the club that will make a positive impact on the performance analysis side,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

“His coaching knowledge will also be a key factor in moving the club forward.”

Mystics U18 head coach Mbongeni Greg Mpofu said: “Adding Barney to our coaching team with the girls’ programme is another step forward in what we’re trying to build. He fits in with the ethos of the club, and we’re all happy to have him on board.”

July 16, 2018July 17, 2022

Quintet enjoying the challenge of Chus Mateo Academy Camp

Magic coaches Aurimas Verbukas and Tom Paraskeva, along with club juniors Josh Grant, Nathan Conaty and Courtney Kenyon-Betts, are currently enjoying the challenge of the highly prestigious Chus Mateo Academy Camp in Spain.

Coach Verbukas is enjoying the high level of competition and explained why he feels the camp is the perfect opportunity for young players to get better.

“It is a great camp to learn from the one of the best European coaches from over the Europe, EuroLeague champions, etc,” he said.

“Tom and I are enjoying the high level of players and coaches at the camp. It is a good opportunity for us and the Magic and Mystics players.

“We both thank Chus Mateo and his staff for the opportunity. It is a privilege for me to be a part of the Chus Mateo Academy Camp for fourth year.

“I would advise every kid from England to attend this camp and become a better player.”

Courtney added: “This is my second year on camp and the training on camp has really improved my skills and help me to become a better player.”

Josh and Nathan are both attending the camp for the first time.

“The camp is very intense and I feel like I am improving each day.” said Josh.

Nathan added: “The camp has been good so far and I hope to come back in the future.”

July 11, 2018July 17, 2022

Gordos and Lythe De Pee selected for Wales U16 at Euros

Manchester Magic’s Luke Gordos and Henry Lythe De Pee have been selected to represent Wales at the Small Countries European Champions (also known as Division C) in Serravalle, San Marino on 3rd to the 11th July.

They play Malta, Gilraltar, Scotland and Andorra in their group stages, their schedule is as follows:

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 steal

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 finish in second place

Visit our Summer of International Basketball article here to stay up to date with the latest international results this summer.

July 9, 2018July 17, 2022

Magic make Sbai second signing for 2018-19 season

The Manchester Magic have wasted no time in signing the talented youngster Ali Sbai for the NBL Division One Men 2018-19 Season.

The 6ft 5in Moroccan/British Small Forward Sbai joins the Magic from league rivals Reading Rockets, where he played 25 games last season, making 3 starts, averaged 15.7 minutes per game, 7.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, making 1.2 3-pointers per game.

The 20 year-old, is Coach Verbukas’s second signing of the summer, joining the returning Kayin Darbey, and Sbai is excited to be on board, “I’m excited to play for the Magic because when I played against them in the past, the atmosphere was amazing and you can see how much support the community gives to the club. I can’t wait to be a part of the Magic family.”

Sbai and Magic Head Coach Verbukas have worked together before as Sbai explains: “When I first met Coach Ollie it was at Deng Camp, he helped me so much.

“I’ve always wanted him as a Head Coach because I know that he can get the best out of me. I can’t wait.”

Coach Verbukas is thrilled to welcome Sbai to Manchester, “We are delighted to welcome Ali to the Magic family.

“Ali is a very passionate player who I’ve worked with over previous years at the Deng Top 50 Camp.

“He is a proven junior with experience in NBL Division One and we look forward to working with him to achieve this season’s objectives.”

Image Credit: Deng Camp

July 8, 2018July 17, 2022

Eight Mystics selected for U13 regional tournament – results

Eight Mystics have been selected to represent the North West at the Under 13 Girls Regional Development Tournament on 7th-8th July at the National Basketball Performance Centre.

Mystics’ Daisy Bryan, Eleni Vourliotis, Josephine Vourliotis, Emily Taylor, Esha Nayar, Ndey Mahmoud, Olivia Forster, and new recruit Holly Stones will be joined at the Tournament by Mystics’ Joe Andrew as Assistant Coach and Samantha Forster as Team Manager.

Results:

Saturday 7th July

11:00 North West vs South East – North West Win

13:00 North West vs East Midlands – North West Win

15:00 North West vs South – North West Win

Sunday 8th July

11:30 North West vs South West (Semi-Final) – North West Win

15:00 Final North West vs East – East Win

North West Finish 2nd

July 8, 2018July 17, 2022

Seven Magic players selected for U13 regional tournament – results

Seven Magic players have been selected to represent the North West at the Under 13 Boys Regional Development Tournament on 7th-8th July at the National Basketball Performance Centre.

Magic’s Sam Andrew, Matthew Goodwin, Lucas Ricketts, Moroni Manuel, Robbie Wild, Toby Akinlade and Thomas Kelly will be joined at the Tournament by Magic’s Gary Williams as Head Coach and Suzanne Wild as Team Manager.

Results:

Saturday 7th July

10:00 North West vs Yorkshire – Yorkshire Win

14:00 North West vs South West – North West Win

16:00 North West vs East – East Win

18:00 North West vs West Midlands – North West Win

Sunday 8th July

9:00 North West vs North East – North West Win

11:00 North West vs East Midlands – North West Win

13:30 North West vs South East – North West Win

North West finish 5th

Greg Mpofu Mystics U18 Head Coach 2018-19

July 6, 2018July 17, 2022

Mpofu appointed as full-time Mystics U18 Head Coach

Mbongeni Greg Mpofu has been appointed as head coach of the Manchester Mystics Under 18 National League and WEABL teams for the 2018/19 season.

The 30-year-old has been an integral part of the Mystics coaching team for the past two years.

He now gets the chance to lead the U18 programme on and off the floor.

In another key move for the club, Joe Forber becomes acting director of the Mystics junior programme.

“I’m excited about the project and the opportunity to lead the programme in a new direction, especially in the middle of a crucial period for our sport and the women’s game in particular,” said Mpofu.

“It’s certainly a sizeable challenge, but one I feel I’m suited to.

“Implementing a greater use of performance analysis methods, establishing an enhanced pastoral set-up, and encouraging players to have greater ownership of their development and progression pathways will be crucial to the success of the project.”

The Mystics U18s reached last season’s NBL Final Fours under the guidance of Joe Andrew, Natalie Feurtado and Mpofu.

Guiding Mpofu in his new role and overseeing the entire Mystics junior programme is the club’s co-founder Forber.

He has spent the past 18 months re-energising the girls’ set-up from the bottom up and is behind a new U12 league for teams in the north of England.

“We are now building a deep and good quality coaching staff and Greg will be a very important member of the group,” said Forber.

“We are in the very early stages of building a top girls’ programme from Under 12 to Under 18 and WEABL.

“The coaches are very much together and their passion and enthusiasm will begin to pay dividends as we move forward.

“I am happy to help the programme in any way I can and look forward to seeing all our coaches further their basketball careers.”

July 2, 2018July 17, 2022

Manchester Magic starting to build for the 2018-19 season

The Manchester Magic are delighted to announce that our first signing of the summer is British point guard Kayin Darbey. The long serving play-maker will be suiting up for the team once again.

Darbey is known for his lighting quick guard play, has committed to continue with the club once again. The 6 foot ball-handler has been a loyal and much valued club member since his junior years.

Head coach Verbukas is happy to see Kayin continue with the club.

“Kayin is a loyal member of the programme and has great character. I am delighted to see with us again next season.

“He has a lot of experience in this league and that will help us massively as we look to build a team ready for the challenge NBL Division One basketball brings.

“He is a player we always value, as he is not just a good player, but also has great character that fits with our club ethos.”

Darbey commented, “Playing for the Manchester Magic provides intense training and a great team atmosphere both off and on the court – whilst maintaining a high standard of basketball.

“Coach Ollie has a huge passion for basketball and knows a lot about the sport, I feel he can teach me a lot this season.”

We will have more announcements in the coming weeks.

July 1, 2018September 18, 2022

Maggie Forber Invitational Basketball Tournament Schedule

Maggie Forber Invitational Basketball Tournament Schedule (4×7-minute quarters)

The top two teams in Pool A and Pool B will move forward to the semi-finals on Sunday. The teams finishing 3^rd in Pool A and 3^rd and 4^th in Pool B will play a round robin schedule on Sunday to decide who finishes 5^th, 6^th and 7^th.

Pools

Pool A	Pool B
Myerscough	Mystics U18
Mystics U16	Sevenoaks
Sheffield	Southend
	Vixens

Tournament Schedule

Saturday 30th June
10:00
C1 (G1)	Mystics U16	53-33	Sheffield
C3
11:20
C1 (G2)	Sevenoaks	60-35	Southend
C3 (G3)	Myerscough	52-42	Sheffield
12:40
C1 (G4)	Mystic U18	57-19	Vixens
C3
14:00
C1 (G5)	Myerscough	48-41	Mystics U16
C3 (G6)	Sevenoaks	57-26	Vixens
15:20
C1 (G7)	Southend	37-51	Mystics U18
16:40
C1 (G8)	Mystics U18	39-44	Sevenoaks
C3 (G9)	Southend	49-43	Vixens
Sunday 1st July
10:00
C1 5th-7th (G10)	Sheffield	62-24	Vixens
C3
11:15
C1 Semi-Final (G11)	Myerscough	48-39	Mystics U18
C3 5th-7th (G12)	Southend	44-40	Vixens
12:30
C1 Semi-Final (G13)	Sevenoaks	43-26	Mystics U16
13:45
C1 3rd-4th (G14)	Mystics U18	58-36	Mystics U16
C3 5th-7th (G15)	Sheffield	59-49	Southend
15:00
C1 Final (G16)	Myerscough	36-43	Sevenoaks
16:15	Presentations
17:00	Finish

Final Table

1. Sevenoaks

2. Myerscough

3. Mystics U18

4. Mystics U16

5. Sheffield

6. Southend

7. Vixens

Tournament Champions: Sevenoaks Suns

Georgia Jones MVP Sevenoaks’s Katie Richards