University of Maine’s Doug Leichner has been named the Great Britain Under-20 coach for their upcoming Division B European Championship campaign.
Leichner, who’s been on the coaching staff at Maine for eight years, will look to lead the 1993 born generation to a much-desired promotion to Division A after a history of close-but-not-quite performances.
“I am privileged and humbled to have the opportunity to coach the Great Britain under-20 men’s team with the ultimate goal of winning a European Championship,” said Leichner. “I would like to thank British Basketball for this honoured appointment and look forward to leading a great group of young men at the European Championships.”
Leichner is perhaps more familiar with European basketball than many other American coaches, having spent extensive time on the continent scouting and recruiting players as he has helped Maine become known for their international roster. It was Leichner who recruited Maine star Ali Fraser, a GB U20 last year.
James Vear, who has just spent a season in Canada as a season with the University of Dalhousie after being the head coach at Medway Park for a number of years, has been announced as the assistant coach. Long time incumbent Mark Lloyd will be the manager. Five of last year’s team are eligible to return this season, led by the talented Devon van Oostrum.
The Division B European Championship takes place in Romania from the 11-21 July 2013.
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