Sport

Three Manchester Giants stars make 2024 British Basketball League All-Star Game roster

It's back, set to be bigger than ever, and with multiple names flying the flag for Greater Manchester.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 5th March 2024

The return of the British Basketball League’s legendary and much-loved All-Star Game is fast approaching, and three Manchester Giants players across the men’s and women’s teams have been selected for the roster.

Arriving at the CopperBox Arena in London on Sunday, 17 March, the BBL All-Star fixture is back to mirror the annual game of the same name made popular by the NBA, with the month-long fan vote for this year’s lineup opening back in January and ending on Valentine’s Day.

Fittingly, we’re absolutely in love with the 2024 roster as it features not one, not two but three players from the Manchester Giants, including husband and wife pro duo Jamell and Georgia Anderson, as well as rising US and women’s team star Myah Pace.

Massive by name, massive by nature.

As well as these three Manchester Giants, local player LaQuincy Rideau of Cheshire Phoenix has also made the cut. Up the North West!

The trio of Giants will compete in the men’s North team as well as the women’s squad for the inaugural year of the female All-Star event.

ADVERTISEMENT

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anderson is one of the most exciting forwards in the league with the second-highest average steals and some really good free-throw stats to boot.

As well as returning to the British sporting calendar after a decade-long absence, this year also sees the first-ever Women’s All-Star Game, with both Georgia and Myah making the landmark roster.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although Anderson is set to captain her side while Pace and her husband opposite are set to make appearances off the bench for their teams, all three making their way onto their respective rosters in the first year of the event’s return and amidst challenging season is not to be overlooked.

You can see both lists in full here:

British Basketball League All-Star Women's Game 2024
all-star men's team north vs south 2024
Three Manchester Giants players across a total of 22 top talents is not bad at all. (Credit: Supplied)

Read more:

With the starters on each team being decided by the fan vote itself, it’s great to see the Andersons, Pace and plenty of other Northern talent on show as the British Basketball League continues to gain more eyes year after year.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Women’s game is set to tip off at 12:30pm ahead of the Men’s fixture at 15:30, with the iconic slam-dunk competition and three-point contest scheduled to feature between the two games, as well as the presentation to the inaugural entrants to the League’s new Hall of Fame.

Promising plenty of entertainment on and off the court, including a live performance from R&B/dancehall singer-songwriter, Amaria BB — who will take to the court for the Men’s halftime show — there’ll be plenty of fanfare and, hopefully, plenty buckets to go with it.

We wish all the best to our Manchester Giants and the All-Star North teams this year and if you’re interested in heading down south to see the excitement, you can still grab a ticket HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Supplied/Manchester Giants (via Instagram)

Sport

Jack Grealish dedicates first league goal in 16 months to late brother on anniversary of his death

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jack Grealish dedicates goal first Premier League goal in over a year to late brother

Manchester City star Jack Grealish held back the tears following his first Premier League goal in more than 16 months, but not in relief after breaking the duck, because it came on a very emotional day for him and his family.

The Man City and England midfielder opened the scoring in the Blues’ 2-0 win against Leicester City on Wednesday night, bringing an end to his goal drought after a total of 473 days.

But what made it even more special is that the game happened to coincide with the anniversary of his late brother Keelan’s death.

Speaking in his post-match interview after picking up the man of the match award, Grealish was in a noticeably quieter mood than his usual charismatic self before revealing that the day marked the 25th anniversary of his younger sibling’s death.

The 29-year-old went on to reveal that the date coincided with Keelan’s passing and acknowledged that it’s “hard on the family but [I’m] happy to score”.

His mum and dad, Karen and Kevin, were up in the stands; it doesn’t need explaining why scoring in that particular moment was so special for all of them.

Clearly stirred by addressing what was a bittersweet occasion, he signed off by adding, “To score and to win was brilliant.”

Keelan Daniel Grealish was just nine months old when he tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) back in 2000 – ‘Super Jack’ was just four at the time.

Paying tribute on social media after the game, the comments below his post were filled with love and support.

Read more:

Besides the goal itself, the former Aston Villa star was keen to reiterate that he was never brought to the club to score bags of goals and “has a lot more to offer” than just hitting the back of the net.

Touching on his Grealish’s game and the tribute to Keelan during his post-match duties, manager Pep Guardiola went on to add: “Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people, he’s incredibly generous.

“I didn’t know that [it was the anniversary of his brother’s death]. I can’t imagine how tough it could be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family. It’s good on this day to remember him, I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.”

A lovely moment from a much-loved character around the Eithad Stadium as well as up and down the country. Rest in peace, Keelan.

You can watch the highlights from the game down below:

Three more points on the board for City and a big moment for the Brummy-born midfielder.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)

Sport

Marc Skinner signs new contract to keep him at Manchester United until 2027

Danny Jones Danny Jones Marc Skinner staying on as Man United Womens manager

Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has signed off on a new deal with the Red Devils, accepting a contract that will see him stay at the club until at least 2027.

Approaching half a decade in charge of Man United’s women’s team, Marc Skinner has now committed his future to the side which helped the club to a historic male and female FA Cup double and qualified for Champions League for the first time.

Confirmed via social media on Wednesday, 2 April, the club shared the news that the 42-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

His side is also currently third in the WSL, and although Chelsea remain the perennial favourites, they are continuing to push harder for the title each season following their second-placed finish in 22/23.

Speaking on the new deal, Brummy-born Skinner wrote: “It has been an absolute privilege to serve as head coach for this fantastic football club for the past four years, and I am delighted to be extending my time in the role for at least a further two years.

“We’re building a young, hungry team with the aim of challenging consistently for further trophies. There is still more hard work ahead, including this season, but the players and staff have already shown their determination to succeed, and I’m looking forward to us taking the next steps in our journey together.”

The former Birmingham and Orlando Pride head coach has been a somewhat divisive figure around Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford during his tenure in recent years, with some vocal supporters even calling ‘Skinner Out’ last year.

He was ultimately kept on following the 4-0 thrashing of Spurs in the Women’s FA Cup, but many fans are still unhappy with the amount of progress made under him.

In addition to a lack of silverware throughout his time in charge, with many criticising his tactics, star talents like Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Nikita Parris, Lucía García and captain Katie Zelem have all departed during this time. Others just haven’t felt the same since Casey Stoney left back in 2021.

Nevertheless, Marc Skinner is staying for the immediate future, and there are still plenty who back him and the work he’s done, or at least the direction he is looking to go in.

Speaking on the extension, United‘s technical director Jason Wilcox said: “Marc’s record since taking charge speaks for itself, having delivered our first major women’s silverware and firmly established us among the leading teams in the WSL.

“After a major overhaul last summer, we have an exciting, developing squad ready to compete for further success, and we are convinced that Marc is the right coach to lead that process.”

COO Collette Roche went on to insist that “building a successful and popular women’s team is an important part of our wider, football-first strategy for the club” and that they hope Skinner will continue to contribute in placing “Manchester United at the forefront of growth in the women’s game.”

Thoughts, Reds?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester United (via X/screenshot via YouTube)

More Sport

Art & Culture

Manchester City’s Nathan Aké donates piano to grassroots music venue

Erling Haaland out injured for 5 to 7 weeks ankle problem

Manchester

Pep Guardiola delivers gutting news as Man City are hit with Erling Haaland injury blow

City Centre

Masters Football isn’t just back – it’s coming to Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches