Manchester Basketball have made a major push in their 2026/27 roster build, adding five players including Great Britain guard Luke Nelson and returning scorer Jordan Johnson.
The club’s latest group of signings also includes American rookie guard Keon Thompson, Leeds-born guard Elijah Walsh and 6ft 10in centre Charlie Williams, giving head coach Matthew Otten extra depth for a season that includes domestic and European competition.
Nelson is the headline British addition. The 31-year-old returns to the UK after spells in France, Germany, Spain and Hungary, having also previously played professionally in Britain with London Lions. His arrival strengthens a British core that already features Kaiyem Cleary, Kayne Henry, Jonathan Brown and Ciaran Sandy.
Johnson’s return gives Manchester continuity after a standout debut campaign. The American guard averaged 14.1 points per game in Super League Basketball and 14.7 points in European competition last season, and produced a 30-point display in the SLB Cup Final as Manchester reached two major finals.
Thompson arrives after a productive college season at Stephen F. Austin, where he was named Southland Men’s Basketball Player of the Year for 2025/26 after averaging 18.1 points per game. Walsh begins his professional career close to home following NCAA spells at Campbell and Florida Southern, while Williams joins from Lipscomb to add size and frontcourt versatility.
For UK basketball fans, the story is not just the volume of signings but the mix: proven GB experience, returning SLB production, and three rookies with clear roles to chase. Manchester were already one of last season’s most competitive sides; this latest move suggests they intend to stay aggressive in the new campaign.
Sources / notes
- Source: Super League Basketball.
- Image/source: Super League Basketball; explicit reuse licence not found in-session.