Manchester Giants have completed the signings of Joe Heyes and Charlie Britton, two exciting young talents from the North West, both of whom have backgrounds with two of the top Academy programmes in the country.

Britton is a 6’6” 20-year-old forward who returns to the North West following a year in the United States, playing at OnPoint Academy in Oklahoma.

Previously, he was part of the Charnwood Riders side that won the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL) in 2019, averaging six points, three rebounds, one steal and one assist, shooting an impressive 68% from the field.

Heyes is a 6’4” 18 year-old guard from Bolton who has recently finished playing for Myerscough in the EABL.

In 2019-20 he averaged 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, shooting 64% from the field in EABL games. He also featured for the Myerscough team in National Basketball League Division 3, where he had a number of double-figure scoring games, paced by 21 points against a Tameside outfit that included former Giant Anthony Purcell.

“I have coached Charlie as a young player in North West squads, and was a coach at another club where Joe was a junior, so I have always kept an eye on them both as some of the leading young talents in the North West,” said Head Coach Danny Byrne.

“Joe is an efficient and versatile guard, who has stayed local to his hometown area to play all of his basketball at a great level. He plays smart at both ends of the floor, and has already demonstrated that he can score well in both junior and senior basketball.

“Charlie has taken a different path, having a stint overseas and playing for elite teams here, including the winners of the EABL as part of an excellent Riders programme. He is a forward who combines physicality with a very good skillset, including a great shooting stroke and effective outside shot, and great vision for a pass.

“Both know that they will have a lot of work ahead of them to earn BBL minutes, but we can give them a great opportunity to do so and to learn alongside a talented group of established pros.

“We want to demonstrate that we have a commitment to up-and-coming local talent, and give them opportunities to pursue professional basketball within their local area.