Tag: Manchester Met Mystics WBBL

Mystics Bolster Squad with Portuguese star Djassi

Mystics bolster squad with Portuguese star Djassi

Manchester Mystics have made a major statement of intent with the acquisition of 2018-19 EuroCup Women performer Sara Djassi for the next two WBBL campaigns.

The Portuguese forward averaged an impressive 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season in the prestigious competition, stepping out for the Azores-based Clube Uniao Sportiva.

Mystics’ play-caller Jeff Jones is thrilled with his latest recruit and stated: “We are extremely excited to have Sara join the team for this season and next, since she will combine studying at MMU and play for the Mystics.

“It is great to bring a player in of her pedigree and experience to go alongside our other veteran players. Her basketball resume is extremely impressive and I look forward to how she will contribute not only to the team on the floor, but also her impact on our younger players and academy player.”

Djassi commented: “I’m really excited to join the Manchester Mystics this season and the opportunity to study a masters at Manchester Metropolitan University.

“I really enjoy taking on new challenges and I can’t wait to get on court this weekend and play. Everyone here has been really welcoming and I am looking forward to the season ahead.”?

Source: WBBL

Image Source: NY Times

Mystics Mbam ready to lead Mystics' Academy's WBBL influx

Young star Mbam ready to lead Mystics’ Academy’s WBBL Influx

Manchester Mystics look set to have another highly competitive season and behind their big-hitters and leading names on the roster, head coach Jeff Jones has highlighted the progress being made by those pushing for more minutes.

These include the likes of teenager and Great Britain rising star, Jade Mbam, who the play-caller is excited to be able to work with again in 2019-20.

“It’s great to have Jade with us again for another year. She has come a long way and continues to strive to be the best she can be.

“After a good individual performance at Euros this summer, Jade has shown she is ready to compete. Her defensive intensity and athleticism will be good for us this season.

“I’m looking forward to continue helping her develop but also showcase what she can do at the highest level in this country.”

He continued: “This year we will also be hoping to work closely with our academy players and having them train and join the roster of our WBBL team.

“We are really committed to developing our younger players and hopefully this season if they work hard we can reward them.”

Meanwhile as for Mbam, she is excited to continue her basketball education with Manchester and commented: “I’m looking forward to playing my second season of the WBBL, gaining more experience and learning more from the senior players on the team.”

Source: WBBL

Allen Returns to Boosts Mystics

Allen returns to boost Mystics

Dominique Allen and Manchester Mystics will be reunited for the 2019-20 season after the former WBBL Cup MVP opted to return to her homeland.

Having played in Sweden last year for Visby, Allen will once again suit up for Mystics after inspiring them to silverware during her initial stint at the north-west franchise.

Her return is a huge boost for Mystics, with play-caller Jeff Jones quick to underline the wider significance of her decision.

He said: “Having Dom back in the league is not only great for us but for British basketball. It’s always good when our top British athletes return to play in our league and show that they value it because it is a competitive league that gets better each year.

“Dom is going to add another dimension to our team that we were missing last year on the offensive boards and defensively. Not to mention both her and Georgia (Jones) together have proven to be problematic offensively for teams and we are hoping it will be the same this upcoming season.”

Meanwhile the player herself stressed: “I’m really excited about returning to Manchester. We have such great chemistry and when we play for each other, we can compete with the best in the league.”

Source: WBBL

Roscoe and James return for Mystics

Roscoe and James return for Mystics

Having already brought back Rheanne Bailey and Georgia Jones for 2019-20, Manchester Mystics have secured further continuity by re-signing another important duo in the shape of Sam Roscoe and Rachel James.

Head coach Jeff Jones was quick to highlight how important it was to get the pair on the roster again and stated: “After Rachel’s phenomenal Play-Offs performance last season, we are really excited to have her back.

“Defensively, Rachel is a problem for our opponents and a great asset to have on our team. Her tenacity and grit is something we value at Mystics.”

He continued: “We are also pleased we could get Sam back for another year. She has had another great off season in the Australian SBL and helped her team reach the Grand Final.

“Each season, she comes back stronger and more experienced, which is going to really benefit us on both ends of the floor.”

Roscoe herself said: “I’m excited to be back with the Mystics. The aim is to improve on last season, bringing in a few new teammates while keeping our core group. It’s also exciting to be finishing my Masters and to be playing in the Premier League with MMU.”

Meanwhile James declared: “It feels great to be back with the girls again and happy to see the same core I started my Manchester journey with. I thought I would have retired by now, but I’m out of retirement for about seventh time.

“Hopefully this year we can progress on last season’s performance and push for some silverware. There are going to be some good teams in the WBBL this season but we are up for the challenge.”

Source: WBBL

Bailey and Jones back on board with Mystics

Bailey and Jones back on board with Mystics

Manchester Mystics look set to continue as one of the leading franchises in the WBBL after it was confirmed their leading duo Rheanne Bailey and Georgia Jones have re-signed for the 2019-20 campaign.

Both players have huge experience and continually prove themselves as two of the leading performers in the league, with head coach Jeff jones delighted to get them both back on the roster.

He said: “Rheanne is signing with us for another year and it means we are retaining some of our core players. She is a great leader and passionate player. She holds herself and others accountable and is very much the glue of this team.

“Rheanne works hard, does what is asked of her which is why I’m looking forward to another year with her on my team. She is also very good with our younger players and a key part in helping them develop as athletes and people.”

He continued: “Our captain Georgia Jones is returning for another year and I know this season she is hungry for success. It was great watching her play over the summer with Great Britain during their historic FIBA Women’s EuroBasket campaign and hopefully she can use the experience to increase the standards of our team.

“It is always a great signing for us, Georgia is one of the best point guards in the country and controls the pace and tempo of our team. Her IQ, experience and ability to pass and facilitate play helps get the most out of all of our players.”

The players themselves are also thrilled to be back, with Bailey stating: “I am really happy to be re-signing with Mystics. This team has become my family over the past few years and Manchester is very much becoming my serving home.

“I’m eager to improve on last year’s performances and make a real push for some silverware. This year I’m returning with a new role as the MMU women’s head coach and the women’s basketball sports development officer, which is great for my professional development. So hopefully I will be making an impact on the court as well as behind the scenes.”

Meanwhile Jones added: “It’s great to be back in Manchester for a fourth season! After a busy summer internationally, I’m looking forward to this year and bringing added experience to the team.

“We have had a core group of players for the last couple of years now so I expect our ability to play together and for each other to be one of our biggest strengths this year.

“I’m excited to get back on court with not only great players but great people and competing every game. We have enough experience to win any game this season so I’m looking forward to the challenge,” concluded the GB star.

Source: WBBL