Manchester Basketball has officially been introduced as the franchise for the newly-formed Super League Basketball.
The city has been represented by Manchester Giants since 2012 in the British Basketball League.
But with the BBL’s licence revoked in early summer, the Giants lost their position as the official franchise for the city.
The new owners of the Manchester-based basketball team are US-based – Sherwood Family Investment Office. They will be led by chief executive Ned Sherwood and president Ben Pierson.
Pierson said: “Manchester is a world-class city for sport and culture. We aim to bring the Manchester franchise back to the level it belongs – competing for trophies for the city. “Basketball in Manchester is an integral part of schools, youth, and culture.”
The clubs announced Nicholas Lewis as their first official signing for the new franchise ahead of the start of the new season later this month.
He will be integral to the team as a lot of players from the Giants have parted ways and the newly-setup franchise is going to comprise a lot of new faces.
Entering his 10th season, Lewis is a veteran in British basketball. The guard averaged 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals for the Giants last season.
Speaking about the transition the franchise has seen in the offseason, he said: “It’s been a busy summer for the new franchise off court. “We will have a new team and fresh approach this season, and we are all excited to get going and play in front of the Manchester fanbase again.”
Manchester Basketball start their campaign against the Caledonia Gladiators on September 27 at 3pm.
They play their first home game, at the National Basketball Centre at Belle Vue, on September 29 against the Newcastle Eagles at 3pm. Regular tickets have been released at £10.
Picture from: Image by Rondell Melling from Pixabay