Maciej Gniady has been leading the way this season for the Gloucester City Kings in their inaugural season in the National League Division 3. Originally born in Poland, Maciej knows this area as home and wants to see hoops dreams realised in the county.
Gloucester Sport CEO, Jay Marriott had this to say:
Maciej is one of our original group from last season and a huge part in the future of this club. His energy, competitive spirit and talent have been a guiding light for the team as we adapt to the level of National League competition.
We caught up with the Gloucester City star and asked him some questions:
1. First season in the NBL, what’s your thoughts on it so far?
NBL is a great league, I love the competition we have and I can’t wait to start securing some W’s underneath us.
2. Give us a brief history on you and your basketball journey so far?
I am originally polish. I came to England when I was 8 years old as my family wanted a better life for me and my 3 siblings. I had no idea how to speak the language or anything like that but I liked it as I could observe more then I could if I knew how to communicate in English. I’ve played since I was 13 years old. Started at Stroud sharks and played there until my last season for u16s then I went to Gloucester college and played there for academy team, the u18s team and the men’s team.
Then I moved over to Bristol and played at SGS college for 2 years. I played for the academy first team for both years in the EYBL and one year in the u18s premier league. I also had the opportunity to play D2 national league for Bristol flyers second team and train with the BBL flyers team. Now I am here playing D3 for Gloucester kings.
3. The club have lofty expectations and want to be a reflection of the county for basketball, what can you do to help this be achieved?
Prove that we have some serious players in Gloucestershire. I have been playing around Gloucester for so long, going back to when Joe Grainger would hold open runs at the Gloucester college where I attended. To Danny James coaching me at the Gloucester academy.
We need to win to prove these expectations. A lot of people have faith in this county and I want to put it on the map. Anytime I wanted to play ball it was nearly every time in Gloucester. So I want people to recognise that basketball here does exist.
4. What are your personal goals as the club grows?
My personal goals are to put this county on the map. I want to give back to the people that have helped me a lot to develop as a player and also as a man in this community. Most of the kids that play ball already know my name as any event or any pickup game I would always be there.
And of course I want to play professional basketball. This national league team is just a stepping stone to build something bigger here and I want to be a part of that.
5. Tell us something that we didn’t know about you? A hobby or anything like that….
I love music, mostly hip hop, rap, RnB and Afrobeats. Music has got a way to calm me down, to hype me up and also to make you feel things. That’s why most of the time I have my headphones on. Trying to get in the right mind set.
I also like to doodle a little sketch on a page here and there. (ITS NOT GOOD SO DONT ASK ME TO SHOW YOU)
6. What can be achieved this season as we look to build for the future?
My goal is to win the remaining games and build a culture. I want this county to become a basketball community so that we can grow and give these kids opportunities to find basketball how I found it.
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