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
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 |
1 |
 |
Brown, Jonathan |
1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
86 kg (190 lb) |
26 – (2000-04-20)20 April 2000 |
|
| G/F |
2 |
|
Walsh, Elijah |
1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
84 kg (185 lb) |
23 – (2002-12-17)17 December 2002 |
|
| F |
3 |
|
Sandy, Ciaran |
2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) |
88 kg (194 lb) |
26 – (1999-11-09)9 November 1999 |
|
| PG |
5 |
 |
Thompson, Keon |
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
91 kg (201 lb) |
22 – (2003-10-09)9 October 2003 |
|
| G |
6 |
|
Nelson, Luke |
1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
86 kg (190 lb) |
31 – (1995-06-29)29 June 1995 |
|
| F/C |
7 |
|
Mitchell-Day, Brandon |
2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) |
92 kg (203 lb) |
22 – (2003-09-16)16 September 2003 |
|
| G/F |
9 |
|
Cleary, Kaiyem |
1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) |
84 kg (185 lb) |
27 – (1999-03-08)8 March 1999 |
|
| PG |
11 |
|
Johnson, Jordan |
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
77 kg (170 lb) |
26 – (1999-10-07)7 October 1999 |
|
| G/F |
12 |
|
Piggé, Chandler |
1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) |
95 kg (209 lb) |
23 – (2003-06-13)13 June 2003 |
|
| F |
13 |
|
Henry, Kayne |
2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) |
95 kg (209 lb) |
27 – (1999-02-28)28 February 1999 |
|
| PF |
30 |
|
Shelton, Duke |
2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) |
98 kg (216 lb) |
29 – (1996-11-25)25 November 1996 |
|
| F/C |
33 |
|
Williams, Charlie |
2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) |
99 kg (218 lb) |
23 – (2003-01-01)1 January 2003 |
|
| C |
34 |
|
Nicholson, Matt |
2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) |
127 kg (280 lb) |
|
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Antoine Broxsie
-
.svg.png) Matthew Pitkin
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
 Injured
Updated: 3 August 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
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) |
|
34 – (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) |
|
22 – (2004-03-29)29 March 2004 |
|
| G |
10 |
|
Oboavwoduo, Irene |
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
|
18 – (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) |
|
34 – (1992-06-16)16 June 1992 |
|
| F |
20 |
|
Hottinger, Frannie |
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
|
23 – (2003-06-23)23 June 2003 |
|
| G/F |
25 |
 |
Pirttinen, Veera |
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
|
29 – (1997-06-24)24 June 1997 |
|
| G |
32 |
|
Davis, Jori |
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
|
37 – (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
- Oliver Parr
- Assistant coach(es)
- Mbongeni Mpofu
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- Injured
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 |
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.
