Manchester Magic

Updated on Jan 29, 2024

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League EBL Division 1 Arena Amaechi Basketball Centre		Established 1997 Founded 1997

History Manchester Giants B1997-1998City of Manchester Attitude1998-2000Manchester Magic2000-present Location Wilbrham Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8GW Team colours Red and Black, Blue and White Team manager Freda Jones0161-881-0090

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Manchester Magic is an English basketball club from Manchester, competing in the National Basketball League Division 1. They play their home games at the Amaechi Basketball Centre, which was funded by former NBA star John Amaechi. A reserve team also competes in the National Basketball Development League, and a sister team - the Manchester Mystics - compete in the Women's British Basketball League.

Manchester Magic Manchester Magic kids head to Ireland for playoff preparation

Bristol academy flyers vs manchester magic highlights ebl division 1 25 01 14

Club History

Manchester Magic EBL Junior Final Fours 2013 Results amp Analysis Hoopsfixcom

The Magic were first established in 1997, originally as a reserve squad for the nearby Manchester Giants, entering the newly founded NBL Division 3 for the 1997/1998 season and winning immediate promotion as league runner-up and playoff champions. A change in direction from their one-time parent club saw the fledgling team become independent mid-way through their first season in Division Two, choosing the City of Manchester Attitude as their new name. A first league title was to follow at the end of the 1999/2000 season, with the club joining the top flight just as the national league was being restructured, forming the short-lived NBL Conference.

Manchester Magic Magic Change of Approach Culminates in Scholarships With Salford

After rebranding as the Manchester Magic, the club enjoyed over a decade of success in the top tier of the English Basketball League, with the highlight being a triple title success in the 2007/2008 season, claiming the National Cup alongside the league and playoff titles. The team then took the shock decision to play in Division 3 for the 2011/12 season, in order "to forge a much closer link between the youngsters... and the men's team", in the words of club director Joe Forber. The club worked their way back up the English leagues in record time, winning Division 3 at the first attempt to earn a return to Division 2, and then gaining back-to-back promotions with a runner-up spot in Division 2 in the 2012/13 season.

Manchester Magic EBL Junior Final Fours 2011 Results amp Analysis Hoopsfixcom

Since returning to Division 1, the Magic have claimed both the National Cup and National Trophy in the 2014/15 season, alongside second-place finishes in both the league and the end-of-season playoffs.