Manchester Magic have added Tyme Regent-Bascombe and Ryan Lewis to their squad for the forthcoming NBL Division 1 campaign.

Regent-Bascombe, 22, is a 6ft 4in forward who returns to the club after a season with Ipswich.

Lewis, 28, is a 6ft 7in forward who has BBL experience with the Manchester Giants and Birmingham Knights.

The double signing means Magic coach Paul Middleton is close to finalising his squad as the pre-season campaign prepares to get under way at home to a USA Select team in Monday (7.30pm).

Already on board are Stefan Gill, Jack Minister, Lee Goldsbrough, Kayin Darbey, Michael Anumba, Kaiyem Cleary, Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo, Hamad Ali and Yannick Onifade.

“After a year back in his home town of Ipswich for work experience, we are delighted to have Tyme Regent Bascombe back in red for another year as he re-starts his degree at MMU University,” said Middleton.

“Tyme is a versatile forward who brings quickness, athleticism and a great attitude to the team. I think he is ready to make a big contribution to the team.”

As for Lewis, Middleton added: “I am really pleased to have him sign this year. He has shown a great work ethic and intensity on defence throughout pre-season and, given time, I think he will give us another offensive threat inside.

“He has integrated himself really well and that is very important to me, as we always try to build a great team environment with good characters.”

Manchester Magic have confirmed that Hamad Ali and Yannick Onifade will be part of their NBL Division One squad for 2016/17.

Coach Paul Middleton says the 6ft 5in Ali, 18, will be a key player at “both ends of the floor” after coming through the Magic ranks, while fellow forward Onifade, 26, was a member of the all-conquering squad that won all four trophies it competed for last season.

“It is great to have Hamad back again as he starts his senior career with the club he has been with since the beginning,” said Middleton.

“Hamad was looking into options in the United States but we are delighted to have him back and look forward to a big contribution from him this year as a senior player.

“He can help us on both ends of the floor as he has developed a good outside game while being able to use his strong frame to good use on defence.”

Middleton describes 6ft 7in Onifade as “a coach’s dream”, adding: “He has a fantastic attitude and he provided real competition for the other big guys, pushing them every single night.

“Hopefully this year we can give Yannick a more significant role in games and his experience last year should help him massively.”

Ali and Onifade join Stefan Gill, Jack Minister, Lee Goldsbrough, Kayin Darbey, Michael Anumba, Kaiyen Cleary and Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo.

Magic begin their pre-season campaign at home to a USA Select team on Monday, 5 September (7.30pm tip).

England Under-16 international Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo is the latest promising youngster to be officially unveiled as a Manchester Magic player for the 2016/17 NBL Division One season.

The 6ft 5in forward, who is 16, will join fellow teenagers Michael Anumba and Kaiyem Cleary on the roster, together with established stars Jack Minister, Kayin Darbey, Lee Goldsbrough and Stefan Gill.

Emeka-Anyako has been on England duty this summer, helping the team to fifth spot in Division B of the European Championships.

He averaged 19.8 minutes, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 points per game.

“Arinze is a real talent with good athleticism and a great attitude,” said Magic coach Paul Middleton.

“We have high expectations for him over the next couple of years and I look forward to seeing how he progresses in the senior environment.”

Further squad announcements will follow in the next few days.

Magic begin their pre-season campaign at home to a USA Select team in Monday, 5 September (7.30pm tip)

Photo credit: FIBA.com

The 32-year-old guard learnt his basketball with the Manchester Magic before spells in the BBL with Milton Keynes Lions and Manchester Giants. 

Gill has spent the last four years with the Giants and was their top scorer in the BBL last season. 

Now the 5ft 8in star, a former English Basketball League Player of the Year, has decided the time is right to return.  

“I am really excited to see that Stefan is back where it all started for him,” said Magic coach Paul Middleton. “It’s a huge coup for the club to get his signature for the next couple of years.” 

Gill said: “It’s a very nostalgic moment for me. I was proud to be a player here and I’m proud to be part of the club again. It’s a homecoming for me.

“The professionalism and the passion are a big draw for me. Emotionally and physically, I’m all in.” 

In his first spell with the Magic, he helped the club win the National Cup in 2007 and then the treble of the National Cup, NBL Division 1 championship and NBL Division One play-off title in 2008. 

He joins Jack Minister, Lee Goldsbrough, Kayin Darbey, Kaiyem Cleary and Michael Anumba in the Magic squad for the forthcoming NBL Division One campaign. 

Middleton thinks Gill’s addition will be a big plus for youngsters like Cleary and Anumba. 

“He has bags of experience to bring to our young team and I know he will relish the chance to help some of our young players grow over the next couple of years,” said Middleton. “Aside from his influence and leadership abilities, no-one can doubt Stefan’s abilities as a player still. 

“Last year, he was the top scorer for the Giants in the BBL and I have no doubt that he will make a huge impact for us. He will give us an additional scoring threat from the perimeter which will give us another dimension to the way we play.” 

Joe Forber, Magic’s chief executive, added: “Stefan learned his basketball as a Magic junior and senior, so he knows what the club is all about. He will be a very big asset on the floor and an excellent role model for all our young boys and girls.”

Manchester Magic are delighted to announce that hot prospects Kaiyem Cleary and Michael Anumba will be part of senior squad for the 2016/17 campaign.

The teenagers, who got a taste of first-team action last season, are seen as key figures for coach Paul Middleton. 

“I’m really happy to say that two of our most talented junior players will be given the opportunity to make a big impact on this year’s senior campaign,” said Middleton. 

Influential in Magic’s league and cup success at Under 16 level last season, Michael played a substantial number of minutes for the all-conquering seniors as they won all four trophies they competed for. 

“Everybody is aware of his talent and potential, but it is his ability to handle playing in pressure situations against grown men that amazes me,” added Middleton.

“He has worked every day this summer to improve both his skills and his physical strength and it is starting to pay off already in pre-season. 

“He will be given the chance to run the team as point guard along with ex-junior Kayin Darbey and I really feel that he will flourish in this role as the season progresses. 

“Michael will be starting at our academy at Loreto College in a couple of weeks and he will certainly benefit from the extra practices and strength and conditioning sessions.” 

Kaiyem, who is going into his second year at Loreto, has also hugely impressed, both with Magic and England. 

“He played a minor role last season for the senior men, but he has been working out all summer and is desperate to make an impact this year,” said Middleton.

“Kaiyem is an explosive shooting guard who is a threat from long range as well as demonstrating an ability to create off the dribble. His style of play will really suit what we will try to do this year. 

“He has shown this summer that his defensive game has improved hugely, which is a very encouraging sign for his future. He deserves the opportunity to show what he can do.” 

Magic have already confirmed that guard Jack Minister, 6ft 10in centre Lee Goldsbrough and point guard Kayin Darbey will be part of the squad for 2016/17. 

Magic begin their pre-season campaign with a home game against a USA Select team on Monday, 5 September (1930 BST). 

Tickets cost £3 for Adults and £1 for Children. An Adult and up to three Children can get a family ticket for £5. A family ticket for two Adults and up to three Children is just £7.50. 

Any Magic or Mystics National League player can watch the game for free.