Our Mission: Developing College Ready Players

ELITE 40 BOYS CIRCUIT

NORTHWEST MAGIC

ABOUT NORTHWEST MAGIC

🏀 About Us

Founded by two women with a passion for basketball and community impact — Vanessa McClendon, former University of Oregon standout, and Edwina Martin-Arnold, business leader and advocate — Northwest Magic has grown into one of the premier college development basketball programs in the Pacific Northwest.

With the support of Gerald McClendon, Kevin Strozier, and a dedicated network of coaches and families, Northwest Magic is intentionally designed to prepare athletes to be recruited, compete, and make an impact at the next level.

We develop athletes through:

Skill Development
Sportsmanship & Leadership
Academic Success

Our Mission

To nurture talent, create opportunity, and prepare athletes for the next level through a college development model focused on:

Skill Development → Building strong fundamentals, basketball IQ, and position-specific mastery
Tournament Exposure → Competing on national platforms that support the recruiting process
Player Growth → Training, competition, mentorship, and accountability
Academic & Character Development → Excellence in the classroom and preparation for life beyond basketball

Basketball is the platform — preparation for the next level is the purpose.

Girls Program

Northwest Magic girls compete on elite national circuits that align with our college development pathway:

Nike EYCL (Championship League)
Nike Junior EYBL
MADE Hoops Circuit

These platforms allow our athletes to be evaluated against top competition while learning how to compete, perform, and impact the game at the high school and collegiate levels.

Boys Program

Re-launched in 2022, the Northwest Magic boys program continues to expand under the same college development philosophy, competing on:

Super 24 Circuit
MADE Hoops Circuit

Our boys are developed with an emphasis on long-term growth, high-level competition, and preparation for recruiting opportunities, ensuring they are ready to contribute at the next level.

Team Divisions

Northwest Magic provides a clear developmental pathway at every stage:

Headstart (K–3rd) → Building confidence, coordination, and fundamentals
Competitive & Regional Teams (4th–8th) → Laying the foundation for high school success
Legacy Teams → Honoring nearly 20 years of tradition through growth, discipline, and competition
Elite Teams → National competition with recruiting preparation and exposure

Our Legacy

For nearly two decades, Northwest Magic has stood for:

Integrity
Sportsmanship
Excellence

💜 At Northwest Magic, we are more than a basketball program — we are a college development pathway, committed to building athletes who are prepared to be recruited, compete, and make an impact at the next level and beyond.

RECRUITING PHILOSOPHY

At Northwest Magic, recruiting is a process — not a promise.

As a college development program, our role is to prepare athletes to be recruitable, not just visible. Everything we do — training, competition, exposure, and mentorship — is designed to help players develop the skills, habits, and mindset required to earn opportunities and make an impact at the next level.

Our recruiting philosophy is built on the following principles:

Development Comes First
Players must be able to produce and contribute at a high level. Skill development, basketball IQ, physical preparation, and role understanding are prioritized long before recruitment conversations begin.
Right Platforms, Right Timing
We place athletes on national circuits and competitive stages that align with their readiness and long-term goals. Exposure is intentional — not rushed.
Honest Evaluation & Guidance
We provide realistic feedback to players and families about level, fit, and next steps. Our goal is to help athletes find the right opportunity, not just any opportunity.

Academic & Character Standards Matter
College coaches recruit people, not just players. We emphasize academics, accountability, coachability, and leadership as essential parts of the recruiting journey.
Preparation to Impact
Our mission is not only to help athletes get recruited, but to ensure they are prepared to play, contribute, and succeed once they arrive at the high school and collegiate levels.

Recruiting success at Northwest Magic is a result of consistent work, discipline, patience, and trust in the process. We partner with families every step of the way, providing education, communication, and support throughout the journey.

We don’t chase offers — we prepare athletes to earn them.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Our premier basketball player development program is unmatched in offering year-round training. NW Magic offers a variety of athletic training programs for those who are serious about taking their talents to the next level. We are focused on proper decision making in game like situations, individual offensive and defensive skills development, strength, speed, and agility training. We prepare our young athletes to compete at their highest level by teaching them skills that are integral to properly transition to collegiate and professional levels.

EXPOSURE & RECRUITING ASSISTANCE

Magic is known for developing college ready players. Depending on the tournament, we receive notice from 50 to 150 colleges stating that they will be attending our games. This combined with the power of Nike EYCL & Elite 40 Boys is great exposure for our athletes. We, at Magic, will work tireless with a family to find the institution that is a fit for the athlete.

PRACTICE & TRAINING CAMP

Weekly practices, Offensive & Defensive Skills,Shooting sessions, Agility & Strength training programs are offered year-round. During the High School travel season and prior to the NCAA viewing period events, NW Magic members participate in a series of mini camps and weeklong pro-style training camps. Training Camps ensures player and team development, while team-building activities enhance the bonding experience that has fortified our reputation as a NW MAGIC FAMILY!

staff members

NW Magic maintains the highest standards of integrity for our staff members. Our criteria or selection process for choosing coaches is evident in all of our coaches' appearance, demeanor, and interaction with your child. All NW Magic coaches are experienced, knowledgeable professionals who have proven ability to teach and develop young athletes. Throughout the training process, each athlete will be encouraged, valued, and respected. The player’s welfare and success is always our primary concern.