We are very proud of A level and Basketball Academy student Kaiyem Cleary. He was part of Great Britain’s Under-18 team clinch promotion to Division A of the Fiba European Championships.

The Manchester Magic and Loreto College star, 18, now heads to the United States to continue his flourishing basketball career. Below is the interview that his coaches at Manchester Magic conducted with him

Congratulations. A great summer with GB and now you’re off to the US. What emotions are currently running through your head?

Kaiyem: The main one is just excitement. This is what I have been working towards since I came to the club as a 12-year-old. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. Now that it’s happening, it feels like a dream. It doesn’t seem real and it hasn’t really sunk in. I can’t wait to go and I’m so excited.

Tell me more about the GB experience…. was it everything you thought it would be?

Kaiyem: It was and so much more. As a team, we played very well and I was proud of my overall performance. I’ve come back a better player thanks to the whole experience. I had a lot of faith in the players and the coaches, so I expected us to do well, but it was mindblowing to finish second and make the country proud. We worked so hard. I also give a lot of credit to Coach Alan (Keane). He coached us well and knew what to do with the players.

And now you are off to the States…. where exactly are you going and why?

Kaiyem: I’m going to prep school for a year, to Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Massachusetts. I want another year of improvement and to experience life in the States before I go to college. I want to be the best player I possibly can be before making that step.

 

Kaiyem thoroughly enjoyed his time at Loreto and played a pivotal role in the Basketball team. We wish him every success.