MANCHESTER Giants have announced that Mike Nichols has been appointed as assistant coach to Yorick Williams.

Nichols brings experience as a player at National League level with Bury and a coach in the Manchester Amateur Basketball League as well as being an expert on the use of ‘emotional intelligence’ to provide focus in a sporting setting.

He will give vital support to Yorick, who will perform the dual role of player and head coach.

Meanwhile, Bury based side Lancashire Spinners will have a strong Manchester Giants flavour next season.

Coach Neal Hopkins, the former Giants assistant coach, will lead the team in NBL Division One.

And Giants legend Mike Bernard and young forward Connor Murtagh will play for him.

Hopkins takes his first senior head coaching role and Bernard will also take his first steps into coaching having been appointed at Myerscough College, the Giants academy partner, as part of Neal’s team there.

Bernard, who was a vital part of the Giants return to the British Basketball League three years ago, was recently honoured for his contribution to British basketball by being made a fellow of Myerscough College.

On the court, the Giants are pleased to announce the signings of Ingus Bankevics and Reiss Haggith for the 2014/15 British Basketball League season.

Guard Bankevics, 30, returns to the club after a successful year with the Giants last season on a two-year contract.

The Latvian averaged 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Haggith, 22, also a guard, joins the club after playing for the Leicester Student Riders while studying at Loughborough University.

Coach Yorick Williams said: “They are two great signings for the club.

“Ingus has a year’s experience of the league and came to the BBL with a good level of experience anyway.

“He is a smart basketball player with a defensive focus.”

Haggith has little experience at the top level after featuring for the Student Riders in the NBL and on the Riders bench.

Williams added: “He has an opportunity to show what he is capable of.”

Giants CEO John Dwan said: “It’s great that we have two more players on board following the signing of Stefan Gill.

“We are working hard to keep building the squad through the summer.”