Manchester Giants

The Manchester Giants are a British professional basketball team based in Manchester, England. The franchise was established in 2011, and admitted to the top-tier British Basketball League in 2012.[1] The team's formation was led by a consortium headed by Graham Herstell. Anthony Jepson (2011). "Manchester Giants striding back for second coming". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 June 2012.</ref> As of 2020, the team play their home games at the National Basketball Performance Centre in the Belle Vue area of the city.

This article is about the modern day Manchester Giants. For the original team, see Manchester Giants (1975–2001).

Manchester Giants
LeagueBBL
Founded2011 (2011)
HistoryManchester Giants
(2011–present)
ArenaNational Basketball Performance Centre
Capacity2,000
LocationBelle Vue, Manchester
Team colorsGreen, Purple, White
     
Head coachDanny Byrne
OwnershipJamie Edwards
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Plans for a new Manchester-based British Basketball League franchise were first reported in spring 2011, initially with the city's English Basketball League outfit, Manchester Magic (headed by former NBA star John Amaechi), mooted as a possible candidate.[2] However, after no formal bid was made, Graham Herstell put together a consortium to start a new professional basketball franchise and revive the Giants brand.[3] A formal application to join the top-tier British Basketball League was made in January 2012,[4] which was accepted and officially announced on 19 June, joining fellow new franchise East London Royals for the 2012–13 season.[5][1] It was also announced that the new team would use the 900-seat capacity[6] Wright Robinson College 'M18 Leisure' facility, in Gorton, as its venue for home fixtures,[5] with a long-term plan to move to a 2,500-seat purpose-built venue as part of the redevelopment of the city's Eastlands area.[7]

On 17 July, it was revealed via a link posted on Giants' Twitter account regarding team merchandise that the team would be wearing a purple, white and green themed kit, manufactured by Irish-based sportswear brand O'Neill's.[8] On 19 August, media reports confirmed that the first player to sign for the new-look Giants was Nottinghamshire-born forward David Watts, who had previously played for Worcester Wolves.[9] More signings were later unveiled with Manchester-born players Nathan Schall and Stefan Gill (formerly of Cheshire Jets and Milton Keynes Lions respectively) joining ex-Mersey Tigers star David Aliu and brothers Callum and James Jones (both sons of Giants coach Jeff Jones) in the line-up, whilst Great Britain international Nick George was rumored to be a transfer target.[10] Former Giants star Mike Bernard was also confirmed as a new recruit along with young prospect Devan Bailey, just days before the start of the new campaign.[11]

Wright Robinson College arena

The new-look Giants played their first competitive game against London Lions on 21 September 2012, at their home venue at Wright Robinson College. A sell-out crowd witnessed a tight one-point victory in favour of the Giants, winning 85–84, with James Jones posting 29 points for the home team.[12] The following week, a convincing 99–87 victory at home to Sheffield Sharks meant Giants had opened the season with a 100% record, however their form soon dipped as the new team recorded only one win in the subsequent 12 games. Former Great Britain Under-23 international Ben Eaves was signed at the end of October in a bid to improve Giants' fledgling squad, whilst a deal to sign long-term target Nick George was eventually agreed in December. The team's form gradually started to improve throughout the winter with victories against Durham Wildcats, local rivals Cheshire Phoenix and Mersey Tigers, as well as back-to-back home wins over title-chasing Surrey Heat in January and February 2013. It was announced on 19 February that Nick George had departed the club after making only six appearances. Giants continued with their resurgent form in a bid for a top-eight finish and a place in the end-of-season Play-offs, taking it down to the penultimate game of the regular season.[13] However an 85–87 home defeat to fellow Play-off chasers London Lions – despite a heroic comeback from the Giants who were down 19 points at the start of the fourth quarter[14] – saw Lions take eighth-place and the final Play-off spot, consigning Giants to a ninth-place finish in their rookie season.

Throughout the 2013 off-season the club announced several new partnerships and projects in the Manchester area, including the launch of a basketball academy with The Manchester College[15] and a development partnership with Stockport Falcons basketball club.[16] The team continued its policy of signing locally-produced players with the unveiling of Keith Page as the team's first new signing for the 2013–14 season, replacing Devan Bailey.[17] The roster was also bolstered with the signing of veteran Yorick Williams, a stalwart of the previous Giants franchise,[18] as well as Robert Marsden from Leeds Carnegie, Spanish forward Iker Amutxastegui and French swingman Papis Sambe. Nigeria international Jayson Obazuaye was also brought in by Coach Jones, but his transfer fell through due to the club not receiving international clearance for the player.[19] The team improved on their rookie season performance with a 14–19 record during the regular season and qualified for the post-season Play-offs for the first time. The seventh-seeded Giants were drawn in a two-game series against the second-seed Sheffield Sharks in the Quarter-finals. The first game saw the Giants edged out by the Sharks, 60–63, at the Wright Robinson College arena, whilst the second game in Sheffield finished in a rare stalemate between the two rivals, ending 78–78. Due to Sharks' three-point advantage in the first leg, they advanced from the series with an aggregate score of 141–138. There was some success for the team however, as three Giants players were recognised in the BBL's End of Season awards honours, with David Aliu, James Jones and rookie Robert Marsden all selected as part of the Molten British Team of the Year.[20]

The Giants management announced in June 2014 that the team would be leaving Wright Robinson College and switching to a new home venue, the 1,100-seat Trafford Powerleague Arena, for the start of the 2014–15 season.[21]

Logos
  • 2012–2013
  • 2013–2020
  • 2020–present

Home Arena

In February 2018, the club announced plans to move into a new, 2000+ capacity arena, renovating and expanding the previous George H. Carnall Centre as part of a £35 million development in Urmston, Greater Manchester.[22] However, after a change in leadership in the borough council, these plans are considered unlikely to go ahead.[23]

Season-by-season records
Season Division Tier Regular Season Post-Season Trophy Cup Head Coach
Finish Played Wins Losses Points Win %
Manchester Giants
2012–13 BBL 1 9th 33 12 21 24 0.364 Did Not Qualify 1st Round (BT) 1st Round (BC) Jeff Jones
2013–14 BBL 1 7th 33 14 19 28 0.424 Quarter-finals, losing to Sheffield Quarter-finals (BT) 1st Round (BC) Jeff Jones
2014–15 BBL 1 9th 36 12 24 24 0.333 Did Not Qualify 1st Round (BT) 1st Round (BC) Jeff Jones
2015–16 BBL 1 11th 33 8 25 16 0.242 Did Not Qualify 1st Round (BT) 1st Round (BC) Yorick Williams
2016–17 BBL 1 12th 33 5 28 10 0.152 Did Not Qualify 1st Round (BT) 1st Round (BC) Yorick Williams
2017–18 BBL 1 11th 33 4 29 8 0.121 Did Not Qualify 1st Round (BT) 1st Round (BC) Danny Byrne
2018–19 BBL 1 9th 33 14 19 28 0.424 Did Not Qualify Semi Finals (BT) Semi Finals (BC) Danny Byrne
2019–20 BBL 1 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic 1st Round (BT) Pool Stage (BC) Danny Byrne
2020–21 BBL 1 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Danny Byrne

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team, as has been defined under FIBA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIBA nationality.

No. Position Player
PG Jack Hudson
G Jordan Whelan
G Sam Cassell Jr.
G Joe Hayes
SF Donovan Johnson
SF Alex Ouandie
F Lyle Hexom
F Breaon Brady
F David Ulph
F Alhaji Fullah
F Charlie Britton

Notable former players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

See also

References
  1. "Manchester Giants and East London Royals join BBL". HoopsFix.com. 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  2. "Manchester Magic consider move to BBL". Manchester Evening News. 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  3. Anthony Jepson (2011). "Manchester Giants press on with BBL plans". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  4. Anthony Jepson (2011). "Manchester Giants submit application to join BBL". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  5. Anthony Jepson (2011). "Manchester Giants confirm return to BBL". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  6. Manchester Giants 🏀 [@McrGiants] (17 September 2012). "Please note that the venue at Wright Robinson holds 900 and with tickets selling fast please make sure you reserve your tickets online" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. Anthony Jepson (2011). "Manchester Giants striding back for second coming". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  8. "Here's the link to our merchandise". Manchester Giants' Twitter account. 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  9. Mark Woods (2012). "BBL In's and Out's". MVP 24–7. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  10. Anthony Jepson (2012). "Manchester Giants announce six signings". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  11. "Mike Bernard, Devan Bailey sign up to boost Giants". Manchester Evening News. 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  12. Anthony Jepson (2012). "Manchester Giants 85 London Lions 84". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  13. "London Lions pre-match preview". ManchesterGiants.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  14. "Giants fall short of Play-off place". ManchesterGiants.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  15. "College plans with the Giants". ManchesterGiants.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  16. "Giants seal partnership with Stockport". ManchesterGiants.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  17. Anthony Jepson (2013). "Manchester Giants all set to turn a new Page". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  18. Anthony Jepson (2013). "Yorick Williams' true frit will help Giants". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  19. Anthony Jepson (2013). "Jones warning for Giants stars". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  20. "Plymouth Raiders' Nick George fifth in BBL British MVP vote". The Herald. 2014. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  21. Anthony Jepson (2014). "Manchester Giants have new home near Trafford Centre". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  22. "New Vision for Manchester Giants as part of £35m development". Manchestergiants.com. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  23. "Place North West | Trafford invites public views on George H Carnall future". Place North West. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
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