HIS coach describes him as one of the best point guards he has worked with.

But Manchester Magic’s modest American import just wants to help his new team win more trophies than last year.

Brandon Kimbrough has been one of the stand-out successes of the treble-winners’ new campaign so far.

And his unselfish, hard-working aapproach will be vital if he is to help Magic reach his ambitious target for the season.

A lot rests on the shoulders of the player who starred for Drury University in NCAA Division Two before arriving at the Amaechi Centre in the summer.

Departures

The Magic squad that bagged the EBL title, National Cup and Playoffs, suffered numerous departures in the close-season.

But after just one defeat in the opening 10 games, Kimbrough is determined as well as realistic.

“The aim is to win all the same trophies that the club won last year – and one more,” he said.

“We know it will be difficult. The team last year probably had more room for error because the overall strength of the squad.

“We are working with a smaller group and we know that one or two more defeats will cost us the championship. We still have a good team but we know we have to be on our game all the time.

“When we lost at Reading we had a good first half and they had a good second, so we know we can’t afford to let it drop, even for a half. But we have a good chance.”

Kimbrough’s backcourt partnership with Stefan Gill has made Magic tick and the American added: “Me and him compliment each other well – I have some of the qualities he maybe has less of and he has some that I don’t, so we work well together.

Mesh

“It is a great group and we mesh well and there has been a progression from the first time we practised together.”

Kimbrough slotted seamlessly into the English game after his years in the US college game, saying “basketball is basketball”.

“There are maybe more bigger guys in the States and it has been quite physical here, but I’ve just got on with it.

“I worked out and made sure I was in good shape when I arrived here so I can live up to what they expect of me at the club.”

That includes coaching some of the organisations youngsters as well as excelling on the court – something that he enjoys.

“Basketball is not as big as other sports here so it is great to be involved in bringing it to more people and hopefully being part of the first step to making it grow,” he said.

“People in Manchester have made me very welcome and it is a great city – the weather apart. I’m enjoying life here.”

Competitive

Magic coach Jeff Jones is also enjoying Kimbrough’s contribution.

“He is certainly one of the best guards I have had since I have been here,” said Jones.

“He is very competitive and understands the game – he is a very good player but he knows how to get the best out of those around him as well.

“I’m sure that after this year he will have a great opportunity to play at a higher level.”

For now, Kimbrough is happy being a team player aiming to add to Magic’s recent run of trophy successes.
“We are going pretty good now,” he said.

“There have been a few bumps along the road, but that’s the same with any team – and hopefully we will be playing our best basketball at the end of the season when it really counts.”

Magic have a home double-header this weekend, facing Taunton in the league on Saturday and Northumbria in the Cup quarter-final on Sunday.