Academy Staff
Staff of Loreto Magic Basketball Academy
Academy Director: Joe Forber
Joe has been involved in developing young basketball players for nearly 40 years. Initially, he coached Schools basketball, but eventually became involved at Club level and was instrumental in setting up the National League programmes at Manchester United and the current Magic programme.
Many of the players who have passed through Joe’s programmes have gone on to greater things in the States and Europe.
Magic Players Abroad in September 2008
| Callum Jones | Pace University | Div 2 NCAA | Junior |
| Jack Minister | Clark University | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Joe Ransom | Suffolk University | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Ben Murray | Mount Aloysius College | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Lauren T-Johnson | Marquette University | Div 1 NCAA | Junior |
| Ben Eaves | Rhode Island University | Div 1 NCAA | Sophomore |
| Andrew Lovedale | Davidson College | Div 1 NCAA | Senior |
| Keith Page | Ursinus College | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Verity Peets | Idaho State University | Div 1 NCAA | Sophomore |
| Stuart Thomson | Catawba College | Div 2 NCAA | Freshman |
| Phill Wait | St John's University | Div 1 NCAA | Freshman |
| Menelik Watson | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | Second Year |
| Matt Williams | Proctor Academy | USA | Third Year |
| Kate Minister | Clark University | Div 3 NCAA | Freshman |
| Devan Bailey | Brewster Academy | USA | Third Year |
| Donald Okpalugo | Deerfield Academy | USA | Second Year |
| Nic Opacic | Belgrade Ac, Mega Aqua Monta | Serbia | Second Year |
| Richard McNutt | Mount Aloysius College | Div 3 NCAA | Sophomore |
| Georgia Jones | Oral Roberts University | Div 1 NCAA | Freshman |
| Ben Daniels | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | First Year |
| Ben Ralph | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | First Year |
| Tom Fox | USA | First Year | |
| Jack McCabe | IMG Academy, Florida | USA | First Year |
Also, ex-Magic/Mystics players abroad are:
| Nick George | BCM Graveline Dunkerque | France |
| James Jones | Everton | BBL |
| Kristy Lavin | Caja Rural Verona Norte LF2 | Spain |
| Andy Thomson | Almeria LEB Bronze | Spain |
| Alan Metcalfe | Guildford Pirates | BBL |
| Rehana Khalil | Tenerife Aguere LF2 | Tenerife, Spain |
| Jamie Glen | Newcastle Eagles | BBL |
| Joanna Clayden | Arxil BC LF2 | Spain |
Joe’s views on English talent are well known, “we have the raw ability in England but it needs better coaching and much more demanding programmes than we currently have. The Academy will give the boys access to 20 hours coaching weekly – a combination of the time they spend at Loreto and the time spent with the Magic teams. Together with a Strength and Conditioning programme, we expect to produce players who are technically and physically good enough to become professional basketball players. It will take a little time to lay the foundation of the Loreto Academy, but we have made an excellent start and expect to move onwards and upwards”.
Head Coach: Samit Nuruzade
Samit came to England from Azerbaijan 6 years ago, with a deep playing background from his time in Eastern Europe. After representing Magic for 4 years, his knees told him that his time was up as a player and he was encouraged to take up coaching. He is rapidly learning what coaching is about and this, together with his extensive knowledge, has given him great early success.
He coached the double Championship and National Cup Winners Under 18 Boys team last season and, in 2008/09, he is combining the Magic Under 18 coaching duties with the Division 3 job. There is a very close connection between the two, with the better Under 18 players making big contributions to the Division 3 team.
Samit was also the England Under 16 Boys Assistant Coach last summer in Bosnia and would like to continue this International experience by moving upwards in the National programmes.
Email Joe Forber - mmagic@tesco.net for further details.
