GAMES NOT ALL GOLDEN, TAYO ADMITS

Tayo Ogedengbe insists playing for England at the Commonwealth Games is a challenge he wants to take on.

The Surrey Scorchers forward is among over 20 hopefuls who have gathered in Manchester for a 4-day camp during the international break as head coach Andreas Kapoulas begins the process of putting together a squad for the Gold Coast next April.

They include a handful of non-BBL exiles, including Jamell Anderson, although – with no mandatory player release – it is expected the bulk of the final 12-man team will be drawn from the domestic game.

But Ogedengbe plans to make the most of the opportunity – even with numerous strings attached.

“I was surprised and honoured at the call-up because I’d been out of the international set-up for a while,” he said. “I know a lot of guys are overseas but I’m privileged that the coaching staff have looked at me.

“It is a challenge. I’d a few of them coming into the season. First of all getting older. Being a leader on the team. I wrote a few down. So this one’s been added. But if I do get selected, I’ll want to go out there, adjust and perform to a high level – and then come back in form.

“I’d maybe miss up to five games so although it’s something I want to do, it is a challenge.”

.@GC2018 Men’s Camp | The men take over the @natbballctr for their first on-court session of the day. pic.twitter.com/fVJUXA1yKV

— Basketball England (@bballengland) November 20, 2017

With the BBL set to receive numerous requests to change fixtures during the three-week period of the Games, and no guarantee every club will free their employees, the roster may remain in flux until early spring.

But the Scorchers captain believes he will be freed to head to Queensland.

“I don’t see the organisation restricting me from going,” Ogedengbe said.

“I’ll think they’ll see it as an honour but there will be a discussion about it. And it won’t be an easy decision.”