British Basketball today unveiled their strongest ever preliminary Standard Life GB Men's squad consisting of 21 hopefuls looking for a place in London 2012, including three NBA players and a notable presence of young talent making the grade.
NBA stars Luol Deng (206-F-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Duke) (Chicago Bulls), Ben Gordon (188-G-83, college: Connecticut) (Detroit Pistons) and Byron Mullens (213-C-89, college: Ohio St.) (Charlotte Bobcats) have all confirmed their availability and commitment to pull on the GB jersey this summer.
Although it will be the first time Gordon and Mullens have been available to play for GB, Deng has long been a prominent and consistent figure in the squad since 2007 when he helped the side qualify for Division A basketball for the first time since 1981. In 2011 he provided a timely reminder of his talent at EuroBasket in Lithuania where he averaged a huge 24.6 points per game and 9.4 rebounds, coming second overall in the tournament for double-doubles.
Gordon has voiced his desire to be part of the British Basketball programme for a number of years, and visited the team during the 2011 EuroBasket qualifiers but has yet to step on court for his country, primarily as a result of some unfortunate injuries. Today's announcement confirms his commitment to the side; Gordon commented: 'I am very excited to pull on the GB jersey this summer and play for my country. To be invited into camp is the first step in that journey and I am immensely proud to have the opportunity.
'I am totally committed to playing with the Standard Life GB team this year and look forward to being part of the squad hoping to make 2012 a year to remember for British basketball fans.'
Also returning to action for GB is power forward, Pops Mensah-Bonsu (206-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: G.Washington), who is having a brilliant season in Turkey with Besiktas. He is averaging a huge 30 minutes per game and 18.3 points. Pops has helped his team to National Cup glory as well as to the EuroChallenge final four. Joining him in the preliminary GB squad, and hoping to be part of the team's training camp in Houston this summer are established national team players Joel Freeland (208-F-87) and Robert Archibald (212-C/F-80, agency: Priority Sports, college: Illinois) who have also enjoyed fantastic seasons in Spain's top flight and will be aiming for a final berth in Finch's squad.
With today's announcement, Finch has once again shown his belief in the wealth of young players that have been working their way up through GB's performance pathway. 2011 alumni, Kyle Johnson (195-G-88, college: LIU Brooklyn), Andrew Lawrence (187-G-90), Alex Marcotullio (190-G-91), Ryan Richards (212-C/F-91, agency: Interperformances) and Devon Van Oostrum (190-G-93) also make it into the preliminary squad and will want to demonstrate their credentials on the big stage.
British Basketball's 2011 Emerging Athlete of the Year, Van Oostrum, played a personal tournament-high 23 minutes against Spain in the EuroBasket finals in Lithuania, and will be hoping to emulate this on the Olympic stage.
Former Under 20 player, Ovie Soko (203-F-91), is also included in the preliminary squad. Sullivan Phillips (198-G/F-79, college: Wash.Adventist) who plays with Prievidza in Slovakia is a new addition to the roster; he has been twice Defensive Player of the Year in his stints with teams in both Hungary and Cyprus and could prove to be a fascinating prospect among the initial players invited into camp.
Standard Life GB head coach, Finch commented: 'The GB basketball programme has come a long way since 2006 and the blend we have now of experienced talent with the younger guys is fantastic to see. We have the potential for a world class team who will surprise a few people this summer. The commitment from all our players to the programme once again is great and it's also good to see our strength and depth continuing to increase year on year.'
The preliminary squad of 21 players will be cut down to 16 at the beginning of May with two additional places available for GB Futures squad members. The final roster of 12 players heading to the Olympic Games this summer will then be announced early in July when the team returns to the UK from preparation camp in the USA.
Full details of the 21 players in the preliminary squad are:
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo(190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship [read more]
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo (190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship.
Calvo was very keen to return to the Jelson Homes DMU backed Riders, "From very early on with the Riders, as I came to understand the great mix of players we had, I was really keen to make Leicester more than a one year stop. I believe this is a team that can get better, and I can get better with the team."
"Playing in the BBL is a different challenge to Spain, but I think it is helping to develop my game. I will be looking to do things a little different, add some things to what I bring to the Riders, but it is really working with my team-mates and coaches that will help make the difference."
"I was also excited to see that Drew Sullivan had re-signed, because he is such an important player in our team. He and Rob (Paternostro) our coach are what make the big difference to the team, so that just reinforced my keenness to come back."
Calvo thinks Riders will have it much tougher in the BBL next season, but is looking forward to the challenge, "For sure, teams are going to be gunning for Leicester, and it will be difficult. We set a standard this season, and other teams will be out to put one over on us. But I think the Riders can get better, and particularly if we can keep most of the squad together."
Paternostro was very excited to have Calvo back, "Jorge is hugely under-rated in my opinion. He handles himself extremely well, is a very smart player, and is very much a team guy. There are a lot of decisions to make in his position on the court, particularly in terms of getting other guys involved in the offence, and that is where Jorge excels."
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life [read more]
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life."
The Team's management has also been busy building a number of important partnerships within the city. Today they announce the Birmingham A's Basketball Club as the team's "Official Nursery Team" and the City of Birmingham basketball club as their "Official Junior Development Partner". Coach Paul Douglas said "Ensuring an effective player pathway in the city is really important to us. We want to create a team that local young players aspire to and a simple route by which they work their way up to playing professionally. We're confident that these important relationships will help us to achieve this and we're pleased to see the sport of basketball uniting in the city."
Coach Douglas starts his campaign with trials being held at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre on the 18th and 19th May. If you would like to know more about how to take part email info@bblbirmingham.co.uk.
NIJT London: Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 - May 11, 2013
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
Team England - OKK Spars Sarajevo 78:61
Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 of the Nike International Junior tournament in London. The hosts of the tournament posted their initial 78:61 win and finished second in Group B. OKK Spars Sarajevo also ended up with 1-2 record in the group, but finished last.
OKK Spars Sarajevo started the game better and took 23-19 after the first period. Moreover they added 21-18 rally in the second frame and led 44:37 at the halftime [read more]
Team England - OKK Spars Sarajevo 78:61
Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 of the Nike International Junior tournament in London. The hosts of the tournament posted their initial 78:61 win and finished second in Group B. OKK Spars Sarajevo also ended up with 1-2 record in the group, but finished last. OKK Spars Sarajevo started the game better and took 23-19 after the first period. Moreover they added 21-18 rally in the second frame and led 44:37 at the halftime. The second half however was dominated only by one team, London. The latter posted 21-12 surge in the third quarter and finished the game with massive 20-5 burst. Luke Nelson (189-G-95) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Jules DANG AKODO added 17. KAVELL BIGBY delivered 14, whilst Tyrell Isaacs (183-PG-95) had 8. Four players only scored for the Bosnian team. Aleksej Nikolic (185-G-95) poured in 25 points and Djoko Salic (209-C-95) added 20. Faris Smajlovic (199-F/C-96) brought 10, while Nedim Buza (201-SF-95) notched 6.
Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
