Josh Ward-Hibbert (pictured) and Dale Francis have been selected as the UK representatives for this year’s Basketball Without Borders camp.
Both players have been involved in the England international junior setup at some point in their careers, Ward-Hibbert, a 6’4″ do it all guard, and Dale Francis, a 6’9″ big man.
Speaking to Hoopsfix, Ward-Hibbert was understandably hyped about being selected for the camp:
“It’s a great honour, not many players will get to attend so its amazing that I get to go. I’ma just do what I do, work hard as I do, and see what happens. I’m looking forward to just running against all the top players.”
He also addressed the rumours that he will be putting his basketball career on hold to focus on tennis, a sport in which he is internationally ranked. Looking ahead to next season he said:
“It will be a busy season but I’ma find plenty of time for my basketball. With regards to my plans for next year, I’m just going to work hard at both and make decisions as they come.”
A joint NBA and FIBA intiative, Basketball without Borders will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. First held in 2001, Basketball without Borders is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development program that uses the sport to create positive social change in the areas of education and health and wellness.
The camp, features the top 1994 born players from each region, as selected by the NBA and FIBA, training under NBA legends and coaches. Campers receive top-level instruction on-court and participate in daily life-skills seminars focused on values of the game such as leadership, character development, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Basketball without Borders Europe is the highlight of this year’s 3 camps, and will be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Aug. 8-11. This marks the first camp held in one of the former Yugoslav republics, which was where the 50 campers who attended the inaugural Basketball Without Borders camp hailed from. Additionally, many of the original NBA player coaches will return this year, including NBA Legend Vlade Divac (Serbia), who was instrumental in the creation of the BWB program. Other legends attending the camp include Dalibor Bagaric (Croatia), Rasho Nesterovic (Slovenia), Zarko Cabarkapa (Montenegro), Bruno Sundov (Croatia), Zan Tabak (Croatia) and Dragan Tarlac (Serbia).
Shout out to both these guys and wishing them all the best at the camp!
Last year, England was represented by John Stewart and Devon Van Oostrum.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Dale’s selection is a bit of surprise to me, but what do I know – congrats to both guys!
Two players who were not selected for England U18s at the European championships – what does that say about the 94 born players who did attend?
Either way it is contradictory
Well, Ward-Hibbert would have been selected if he was available. And Dale isn’t better than anyone who was selected. In fact I don’t think there were other 94s selected, I think it was all 93s.
Jordan Spencer, Elliott Sentance and Rowell Graham are all 94s.
And David Sainsbury Garcia
Ward Hibbert made himself unavailable due to the tennis commitments and I believe that is what he was going to concentrate from now on… I guess I was wrong…!
One of the 94s Sam mentioned at least should have been up for consideration for the commitment to England Basketball, i know and some other kids do have choices of sport, its not just Josh W.H( i know someone personally who has chosen basketball over other sport at high level rep England also) but a choice has to be made.
Well good on the boys Dale and Josh, im sure they will represent England well!
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