Newcastle Eagles head Coach Marc Steutel has delved into British basketball’s rich talent pool once again and plucked a huge prospect for his roster by securing Emmanuel Kanwei in a two-year deal.

The 6’10” centre is the third pick for Steutel to move up to Super League Basketball (SLB) from the National Basketball League (NBL) Division 1, recently renamed British Championship Basketball.

Signing for the club will be a return to Tyneside for Kanwei, who played with great distinction for Northumbria University in BUCS and with the Newcastle University Knights in NBL D1 for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, before moving on to the Essex Rebels last season.


Emmanuel Kanwei has trained in Steutel side over recent seasons, but returns to Newcastle as a fully-fledged Eagle. (Photos: Abbie Orwin, Featured Image: Essex Rebels)

Steutel’s latest addition has continued to improve his averages every NBL D1 season, last returning 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game.

“It feels amazing to finally call myself an Eagle”, said Kanwei.

“I’ve been in and out of training with the squad over the past few seasons and got a taste of the action when I was on the bench for the ENBL game earlier this year.


“To now have the opportunity to officially be part of this team and represent Newcastle means a lot. I’m ready to give everything I’ve got to the club and the fans.”

The big man put in some big performances during his seasons in NBL D1 with Newcastle University Knights and Essex Rebels. (Photo: Essex Rebels)

The British-Nigerian player will be a familiar face around both the city and the Vertu Arena, having trained and suited up with Steutel’s Eagles teams in recent years.

Kanwei wore an Eagles jersey in pre-season 2022/23 with the first of two call-ups from the Knights, under the club’s performance pathway partnership.

On 23rd January 2024, the centre was on the team sheet when a depleted Newcastle side took down RSW Liege 100-92 in the club’s first venture in the European North Basketball League (ENBL), although he didn’t get on court.


Kanwei just completed a season in Australia’s NBL Division 1 West. (Photo: Perth Redbacks)

“⁠To be able to secure Manny for the next two seasons is a real boost for the whole programme”, said Steutel.

“Manny was extremely sought after due to his exceptional potential, and he has evidenced his ability and development in NBL 1 as a high-level British big.”

Kanwei flies into Newcastle straight from completing a summer season with Perth Redbacks in Australia’s NBL Division 1 West, coincidentally the same division as the Eagles’ new recruit guard Mitch Clarke, who played for Warwick Senators.

The big man continued to demonstrate his skillset and strength with the Redbacks, finishing with 15 points and 7.6 rebounds averages over 19 games down under.

As a part of the club’s performance pathway, Kanwei was called-up to the Eagles men’s team in January 2024 for an ENBL game during his time at Newcastle University Knights.

“Manny understands our programme and city, and will work everyday to be the best version of himself”, Steutel added.

“He has a unique blend of size, skill and athleticism and hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential. I’m excited to see his development in an Eagles jersey”.

More signings are set to follow next week as Steutel’s roster moves towards completion ahead of the 2025/26 SLB and ENBL season.

Fixtures for the Eagles in both domestic and European action are expected later this month.