British Basketball has today announced the final 12-man Great Britain Under-20 roster that will be heading to Bulgaria to compete in the Division B European Championships that start on Thursday.
The roster has been strengthened by the addition of Devon van Oostrum, who joined the squad last week after being a surprise cut from Chris Finch’s senior squad. He’ll be looking to get the ball to the likes of Maine’s Ali Fraser, who has led the team in their warm-ups so far where they have won four of five, as well as Jesse Chuku and Joe Hart who have all been standouts.
The final 12 players selected by head coach Dave Smart as are follows:
GB U20 Final Squad
Jesse Chuku
Grant Fiorentinos
Alasdair Fraser
Joe Hart
Rema Lascelles
Josh Owen-Thomas
Lee Reilly
Louis Sayers
John Stewart
Connor Washington
Zak Wells
Devon van Oostrum
Assistant coach John Campbell has been filling in for Smart, who is currently unwell but has assured GB staff that he will travel to Bulgaria in time for Thursday’s opening encounter with Portugal.
Campbell says they will be looking to set the tone defensively on Thursday:
“It’s still early stages really, trying to establish the team and get known as a hard-nosed and defensive side. We have the ability to do that but have to work hard at it and focus on our goals as a team.
“It’s a strong group that we are in they’re all tough teams and will provide a stern test for us. But we’re a tough team too and will make life hard for our opponents. If we play a defensive, hard-nosed brand of basketball, the results will follow.”
Great Britain will open their European Championship, Division B campaign against Portugal on Thursday afternoon, followed by an evening game against Croatia on Friday.
They will conclude their group games over the weekend with games against Denmark on Saturday and Belarus on Sunday.
Thoughts?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Why has that scrub John Stewart made the squad? and why the hell isnt DVO in the seniors?!?
I guess it takes one to recognise one?
A comment probably made by someone who has never managed to achieve what Stewart has achieved .
I definitely agree with the second comment re DVO.
John didn’t get much time in the first three quarters against Portugal, but look what happened when he was on for the whole of the fourth: GB 31 – Portugal 15; some “scrub”!
BIG UP CONNOR WASHINGTON! HE’S GONNA GO HAM!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMELL ANDERSON THOUGH?
I am amazed that Dave Smart is still the coach of this team.
This is an old thread from the team for the Euros this summer…please ignore. :-)
The new crop of GB U20s (’93) appear to have received invites today so expect more news shortly…