GB U20s Prepare for First Warm-Up Against England U18s

By Sam Neter on June 14, 2013

It has been almost 10 days since the Great Britain Under-20s opened training camp at The College at Braintree (Colchester Institute) under new Head Coach Doug Leichner (pictured above), but in true British Basketball fashion, there has been no official release of player invitees.

The initial 21 strong squad that Hoopsfix believes were invited to camp are battling out for a spot on the final 12 man roster to compete in the Division B European Championships, in Pitesti from July 12-21.

Having just completed a two day break in their schedule, Leichner’s side regrouped today in Colchester as they prepare for their first warm-up game tomorrow, against a talented Under-18 side coached by Steve Bucknall.

“Our first training camp was well organised from the start by team manager Mark Lloyd and that made my job easier,” commented Leichner earlier this week, who Hoopsfix understands to have had multiple problems with his squad due to player availability and injuries. “Also, I am very pleased with James Vear and (Performance Analyst) Rikki Broadmore as they’re tireless workers who bring talent and tactical expertise to the staff. The next two days (Wednesday & Thurday), we’ll reflect on the positives of the first camp and what areas we need to be improved upon.”

Devon van Oostrum and John Stewart are expected to join the team for the first time today, as much needed reinforcements for the predominantly 1993 born squad.

“If all goes well, Friday (today) will be the first day that we’ll have our full allotment of players,” continued Leichner. “It is a huge challenge, but on Saturday, we are excited about the opportunity to compete against such a well coached and talented U18 England national team squad.”

Leichner was unable to comment on names in the camp, but the initial, unconfirmed, squad list that we believe were expected to be their on opening day is as follows:

Great Britain Under-20 Unconfirmed Preliminary Roster

David Akibo (Barking Abbey)
Jamie Batish (Neosho County)
Douglas Bennett (NASSA)
Lewis Champion (Reading Rockets)
Matthew Don (Northern Iowa Area Community College)
Elvisi Dusha (London United-Harefield Academy)
Rowell Graham (Essex Leopards)
Joe Hart (Lakehead University)
Dylan Johns (Ipswich Tomcats)
Nick Lewis (Sheffield Sharks)
Joe Lockwood (Barking Abbey)
Grant Mackay (The Hun School of Princeton)
Josh McGinn (Mersey Tigers)
David Sainsbury (Asefa Estudiantes)
Elliott Sentance (Leicester Warriors)
Jordan Spencer (London Lions)
John Stewart (Lougborough Student Riders)
Connor Stuart (Bucks Hornets)
Raphell Thomas-Edwards (University at Buffalo)
Devon van Oostrum (Laboral Kutxa)
Zak Wells (Sant Josep Girona)

Since this initial list, there have been a number of changes. Texas A&M commit, Dylan Johns, was forced to withdraw due to academic commitments.

“I had hoped to be able to be part of the GB U20s programme this summer but after meeting with the GB staff my family and I have reluctantly come to the decision that it is better for me to focus my efforts on getting the necessary grades to meet the NCAA eligibility criteria so I can attend University at Texas A&M this year,” Johns said.

Additionally, Josh McGinn has suffered a torn hamstring, the same injury that forced him out of action with the Under-18s in 2011, and will be unable to play. Hoopsfix understands Elliott Sentance is also out with injury, and Nick Lewis is battling to get healthy to remain eligible.

The squad was cut to 14 for the second phase of camp that began today and is believed to currently look like this:

Great Britain Under-20 Unconfirmed 14 Player Squad

David Akibo
Lewis Champion
Matthew Don
Elvisi Dusha
Rowell Graham
Joe Hart
Nick Lewis
Joe Lockwood
Grant MacKay
Jordan Spencer
John Stewart
Raphell Thomas- Edwards
Devon Van Oostrum
Zak Wells

The U20s will play Belgium in a two game series in England (location TBC) on the 21st and 22nd of June, before flying out to Helsinki, to play Finland U20s in a two game series on the 25th and 26th June. Additional warm-ups are thought to have been scheduled against other European sides we are yet to confirm.

Notable players from this generation who aren’t involved in this year’s squad for various reasons, such as injury and academic commitments, include Jesse Chuku, Simeon Esprit, Jack Crook and Ross Wilson.

GB are in Group B for the European Championships, where they will face Hungary, Poland, Romania, Luxembourg, and Slovak Republic, who they will open up their campaign against on the afternoon of the 12th of July.

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