Our Mission: Developing College Ready Players

ELITE 40 BOYS CIRCUIT

NORTHWEST MAGIC

About Northwest Magic

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

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

We are not simply a travel team.

We are a college development program.

Our Philosophy

Basketball is the platform.

Preparation for the next level is the purpose.

Every decision we make — from training structure to tournament selection — is centered around long-term athlete development and college readiness.

We develop athletes through:

Elite Skill Development
Sportsmanship & Leadership Training
Academic Accountability
Character & Life Preparation

Our Mission

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

Skill Development

Strong fundamentals. Advanced basketball IQ. Position-specific mastery.

Daily habits that create long-term excellence.

Tournament Exposure

National platforms that support evaluation, recruiting visibility, and high-level competition.

Player Growth

Intentional training, mentorship, accountability, leadership development, and role ownership.

Academic & Character Development

Excellence in the classroom. Respect for the game. Preparation for life beyond basketball.

We build complete student-athletes — prepared to compete and prepared to lead.

Girls Program

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

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

These platforms place our athletes against top national competition while providing exposure and evaluation opportunities within the recruiting landscape.

Our girls are trained not just to play — but to perform, lead, 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.

Our boys compete on:

Super 24 Circuit
MADE Hoops Circuit
Nike Jr EYBL Open (6th–8th)

The focus remains consistent: long-term growth, high-level competition, skill mastery, and recruiting preparation.

We are building athletes who are ready to contribute — not just participate — at the next level.

Team Divisions & Development Pathway

Northwest Magic provides a clear, structured pathway for athletes at every stage:

Headstart (K–3rd)

Confidence. Coordination. Fundamentals. Love for the game.

Competitive & Regional Teams (4th–8th)

Skill building. Team concepts. Foundation for high school success.

Legacy Teams

Honoring nearly 20 years of tradition through discipline, accountability, and competitive excellence.

Elite National Teams

High-level competition. Recruiting exposure. College preparation.

From first dribble to college recruitment — there is a pathway.

Our Legacy

For nearly two decades, Northwest Magic has stood for:

Integrity
Sportsmanship
Excellence
Consistency
Development

We are proud of our tradition — but we are even more focused on our future.

More Than Basketball

At Northwest Magic, we are more than a program.

We are a family.

We are a development system.

We are a college pathway.

We are committed to building athletes who are prepared to be recruited, compete, and make an impact — at the next level and beyond.

#BuiltNotBorn

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.