Manchester Basketball are an English professional basketball team based in the city of Manchester, that compete in Super League Basketball.
Background
Following the removal of the professional league licence of the British Basketball League, a new top-flight basketball competition, Super League Basketball, was announced.[1] The Manchester franchise in the previous competition, the Manchester Giants, were owned by the league due to a previous period of administration in 2023, and as such the club's brand and intellectual rights were held in the now-defunct company.[2] A Manchester franchise for the new competition was acquired by Sherwood Family Investment Office, led by Ned Sherwood, with the franchise to be led by Ben Pierson.[3][4] The team's name and brand were announced in September 2024.[5]
Men's team
Players
Current roster
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| Manchester Basketball roster
|
| Players |
Coaches
|
| Pos. |
No. |
Nat. |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Age |
|
| PG
|
0
|
|
Smith Jr., PJay
|
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
|
79 kg (174 lb)
|
23 – (2003-02-13)13 February 2003
|
|
| SF
|
1
|
|
Carey, Kyle
|
1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
|
86 kg (190 lb)
|
29 – (1997-01-03)3 January 1997
|
|
| G/F
|
2
|
|
Jones, Max
|
1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
|
95 kg (209 lb)
|
|
|
| SF
|
7
|
|
Irvin, Zak
|
1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
|
98 kg (216 lb)
|
31 – (1994-09-05)5 September 1994
|
|
| G/F
|
9
|
|
Cleary, Kaiyem
|
1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
|
84 kg (185 lb)
|
27 – (1999-03-08)8 March 1999
|
|
| PF
|
11
|
|
Osabuohien, Gabe
|
2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
|
100 kg (220 lb)
|
27 – (1998-10-27)27 October 1998
|
|
| PG
|
11
|
|
Johnson, Jordan
|
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
|
77 kg (170 lb)
|
26 – (1999-10-07)7 October 1999
|
|
| F
|
13
|
|
Henry, Kayne
|
2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
|
95 kg (209 lb)
|
27 – (1999-02-28)28 February 1999
|
|
| PG
|
13
|
|
Lara-Sanchez, Luca
|
1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
|
|
19 – (2006-05-02)2 May 2006
|
|
| F
|
22
|
|
Adetukasi, Tim
|
1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
|
109 kg (240 lb)
|
25 – (2001-02-26)26 February 2001
|
|
| PF
|
30
|
|
Shelton, Duke
|
2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
|
98 kg (216 lb)
|
29 – (1996-11-25)25 November 1996
|
|
| SF
|
33
|
|
Martindale, Judson
|
2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
|
95 kg (209 lb)
|
|
|
| C
|
34
|
|
Nicholson, Matt
|
2.13 m (7 ft 0 in)
|
127 kg (280 lb)
|
|
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Antoine Broxsie
- Matthew Pitkin
- Legend
Updated: 1 February 2026
|
Season-by-season records
| Champions
|
SLB champions
|
Runners-up
|
Playoff berth
|
| Season
|
Tier
|
League
|
Regular season
|
Postseason
|
Cup
|
Trophy
|
Head coach
|
| Finish |
Played |
Wins |
Losses |
Win %
|
| Manchester Basketball
|
| 2024–25
|
1
|
SLB
|
4th
|
32
|
15
|
17
|
.469
|
Quarterfinals
|
Quarterfinal
|
Did not qualify
|
Herman Mandole
|
| 2025–26
|
1
|
SLB
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
TBD
|
Quarterfinal
|
Did not qualify
|
Matthew Otten
|
| Championship record
|
32
|
15
|
17
|
.469
|
0 championships
|
| Playoff record
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
.500
|
0 playoff championships
|
Women's team
Players
Current roster
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| Manchester Basketball roster
|
| Players |
Coaches
|
| Pos. |
No. |
Nat. |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Age |
|
| PG
|
3
|
|
Fairley, Nicolette
|
1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
|
|
33 – (1992-04-14)14 April 1992
|
|
| F
|
4
|
|
Gamal, Fleur
|
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
|
|
18 – (2008-02-27)27 February 2008
|
|
| G
|
5
|
|
Wroe, Charli
|
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
|
|
21 – (2004-03-29)29 March 2004
|
|
| G
|
10
|
|
Oboavwoduo, Irene
|
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
|
17 – (2008-05-26)26 May 2008
|
|
| F
|
11
|
|
Karasaite, Eva
|
1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
|
|
22 – (2003-09-16)16 September 2003
|
|
| F/C
|
12
|
|
Bratka, Maaja (C)
|
1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
|
|
33 – (1992-06-16)16 June 1992
|
|
| F
|
20
|
|
Hottinger, Frannie
|
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
|
|
22 – (2003-06-23)23 June 2003
|
|
| G/F
|
25
|
|
Pirttinen, Veera
|
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
|
|
28 – (1997-06-24)24 June 1997
|
|
| G
|
32
|
|
Davis, Jori
|
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
|
36 – (1989-04-21)21 April 1989
|
|
| G
|
55
|
|
East, Tiarra
|
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
|
23 – (2002-11-17)17 November 2002
|
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
Updated: 1 February 2026
|
Season-by-season records
| Champions
|
SLB W champions
|
Runners-up
|
Playoff berth
|
| Season
|
Tier
|
League
|
Regular season
|
Postseason
|
Cup
|
Trophy
|
Head coach
|
| Finish |
Played |
Wins |
Losses |
Win %
|
| Manchester Basketball
|
| 2024–25
|
1
|
SLB W
|
5th
|
20
|
13
|
7
|
.650
|
QF
|
-
|
Group B
|
Rheanne Bailey
|
| 2025–26
|
1
|
SLB W
|
TBC
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
–
|
TBC
|
-
|
Group Stage
|
Oliver Parr
|
| Championship record
|
20
|
13
|
7
|
.650
|
0 championships
|
| Playoff record
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
.000
|
0 playoff championships
|
See also
References
- ^ Williams, Callum (August 20, 2024). "Manchester latest to join Super League Basketball after securing new owners". Insider Sport. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Jon (April 4, 2023). "Manchester Giants seeking new investor as British Basketball League takes control after collapse into administration". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Dallares, Frank (August 19, 2024). "Second top-flight British basketball team bought by new investors". City AM. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Dixon, Ed (August 19, 2024). "British basketball's Manchester franchises acquired by Sherwood Family Investment Office". SportsPro Media. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Neter, Sam (September 12, 2024). "Manchester pro franchise reveals new brand identity". Hoopsfix.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.