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

Manchester Magic’s future looks in very good hands judging by the performances and success of their talented kids.

For the past couple of weeks, members of the Under 12 squad, some as young as eight, have been back and forth to Leeds for tournaments, winning one and earning lots of praise for their play and behaviour.

In the two-day Leeds Force Invitational on 8 and 9 July, Magic Black were crowned champions after winning every game, with Magic Red joint second alongside the hosts and London United.

Magic Black’s Thomas Kelly was voted tournament MVP.

In the Champion of Champions event on 15 July, Magic took just one team to Leeds and finished second to Manchester Giants, losing to their city rivals in the final after beating them earlier in the competition.

Magic’s Matthew Goodwin picked up one of two MVP awards on offer.

With the summer break fast approaching, the focus will soon turn to the National League camps at the end of August as the players prepare for the new campaign in September.

Magic will be fielding three teams at Under 14 level – one in the Premier and two in the Conference.

Manchester Magic’s Bradley May won the shooting contest at the Under 13 Boys Regional Development Tournament in Manchester as North West finished fifth.

The 12-year-old beat off players from nine other regions to take the title on Sunday.

May was joined in the 12-strong North West squad by club-mates Sam Andrew, Harrison Ball, Ben Brown, Matthew Giwa and Matthew Goodwin.

The boys represented the Magic in style during the two-day competition at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Belle Vue, winning six of their seven games and coming out on top in each of their seven skills contests.

Due to a three-way tie for first place after the group games, North West missed out on the semi-finals and played off for 5th to 10th place on Sunday.

North West were coached by Cheshire Wire’s Stephen Welsh, with Magic’s Gary Williams acting as his assistant. 

Saturday Results:

9:30am vs South West: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 SW win, Q2 NW win, Q3 SW win, Q4 NW win, NW win (via Skill Challenge)
11:40am vs West Midlands: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 WM win, Q2 NW win, Q3 WM win, Q4 NW win, NW win (via Skill Challenge)
12:00noon – Shooting Test
2:55pm vs South East: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 SE win, Q2 NW win, Q3 SE win, Q4 SE win, SE win
6:10pm vs East Midlands: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 EM win, Q2 NW win, Q3 NW win, Q4 NW win, NW win

Sunday Results:

9:00am vs North East: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 NW win, Q2 NW win, Q3 NW win, Q4 NW win, NW win
11:50am vs Yorkshire: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 Y win, Q2 NW win, Q3 NW win, Q4 Y win, NW win (via Skill Challenge)
12:55pm Shooting Test: North West Win (Magic’s Bradley May)
1:30pm vs South: NW win Skill Challenge, Q1 NW win, Q2 NW win, Q3 NW win, Q4 NW win, NW win

North West finished 5th out of 10

Magic’s Bradley May