Home opener is Nov. 16 — get there early for a free replica jersey
First, Osceola County and Osceola Heritage Park got the franchise, with all the big-league connections.
The Orlando Magic announced in the spring it’d be moving its NBA G-League developmental team from Lakeland to the Silver Spurs Arena.
That day, there were logos and a mascot, the unmistakable “Swish”.
Then there was a schedule released, and a coach named. Last week, the roster came clear.
Now, as of Tuesday, there’s a court with the Magic’s name on it — and it’s in Kissimmee. It was unveiled at a special event inside the Spurs, which hosted high school and college basketball tournaments in the past over the course of a few days or a week.
OHP and the Magic unveiled that, and the new, upgraded locker rooms, as the Silver Spurs Arena transformed from rodeo ring to basketball arena, at least for now.
"We're able to provide a world-class home for the Osceola Magic," said OHP/ASM Global General Manager Robb Larson.
Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins called Tuesday and the final lead-in to the start of the G-League season, "A great day for our organization, as we launch our relationship with Osceola County. Thanks to Robb and his OHP staff for making this a seamless transition. The team here's been outstanding.
"We have everything to win here: the financial commitment of our owners, great partners and passionate fans."
The Magic’s season begins Friday with a game in Mexico City; the team plays at the Austin Spurs Sunday before coming home to break in the new court and play the Texas Legends Nov 16 and the Memphis Hustle Nov. 17. Tickets are still available.
The first 1,000 fans to attend Thursday will receive a replica Magic jersey, and parking will be free courtesy of Advent Health.
The roster features some recognizable names to pro ball fans. Per league rules, Osceola will carry three “two-way” players, on the Orlando roster but made available to Osceola and can be called north at any time. To start the season those will be forward Admiral Schofield — who played with Orlando against the L.A. Lakers on Saturday because of injuries to a couple Magic regulars — and guards Kevon Harris and Trevelin Queen.
Mac McClung has averaged 20 points per game in two G-League seasons, but became known to NBA fans last year for winning the 2023 NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest. Forward D.J. Wilson averaged 19 points per game in 22 games combined the last two seasons for Lakeland and 18 per game over a four-year G-League career, and was on Orlando’s Summer League roster. Both said they see their paths to the NBA coming with the Magic.
“There’s been a connection with the guys and the coaches here,” Wilson, a 2017 1st round draft pick of the Milwaukee Bucks who’s played in parts of five NBA seasons, said at a media event Friday. “(Head) Coach (Dylan) Murphy’s been great with communication, which players love. I just hope to showcase my talent and ability and to take advantage of the opportunity.
McClung, a member of 22-23 G-League champion Delaware Blue Coats, a Philadelphia 76ers affiliate, said he passed on overseas playing opportunities to stay in the G-League.
“This is my best opportunity right now, a chance to develop and get better each day,” he said Friday. “I’d like to say my path to the NBA is through Orlando, but nobody knows what’s going to happen. The G-League is a great league, and this team has some really good competitors. There’s a reason why I’m excited.”
There’s others for which Kissimmee is the “next stop” in their pro basketball careers. Guard Alex Morales spent last year with Lakeland; forward Miye Oni, a 2019 second-round draft pick, played in Salt Lake City, and swingman Daeqwon Plowden was with the Binghamton (N.Y.) Squadron.
Guard Brandon Williams, who logged 22 NBA games with Portland in 2022, is in his third G-League season after starring at the University of Arizona. And center Chris Walker, who played at Florida, has been in the G-League since 2015 and will turn 29 on Dec. 22.
Murphy coached the Orlando Magic’s Summer League team and got to work with some of this roster.
“We’re super excited about this group of guys,” he said Friday. “Some of these guys were in training camp, so we won’t have to use the first 10 games or so to get up to speed. Wilson’s a guy who understands what it’s like to win basketball games. Him and Queen are guys in their mid-20s who’ve been in the league a little bit and seen what it takes to win. McClung is a really good player with his athleticism, and we’re excited to have him on this squad.
“Winning basketball games is important to us, as is the development of our players. But it’s important to me, too, to get the community involved, and getting that fan base engaged and supporting. We’re going to play with super-high energy. We had a (closed-door) scrimmage and the bench was going crazy the whole time. That’s what we’re going to play with.”
General Manager Kevin Tiller said the move from Lakeland to Osceola is “huge” to have closer proximity to the full staff in Orlando.
“I’ve been out in the community a little bit, and I think it’ll be exciting for them to see guys who have played in the NBA on this team,” he said.
For the full roster, go to https://osceola.gleague.nba.com/roster.
Last season, a number of Orlando players took the court in Lakeland, either to get meaningful playing time, like R.J. Hampton, and Caleb Houstan, or to ramp up from injuries, like Jonathan Isaac and Chuma Okeke. Over half of NBA teams have a G-League graduate on their roster.
