ACHARA SET FOR GB CENTURY
Great Britain name a much-changed 14-man roster for next week’s World Cup qualifying games against Estonia and Israel.
Captain Kieron Achara is set to lead the team for what will be his 100th appearance in GB colours if called upon in the Estonia game, 10 years on from his first appearance. He was Scotland’s youngest-ever debutant and becomes the latest member of the GB centurions club.
Fellow Glasgow Rocks star Gareth Murray, who also starred for Scotland in their run to the bronze medal game at the Commonwealth Games in April, will be part of the squad to take to the Rocks’ home court of the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Other returning regulars such as Dan Clark, Eric Boateng, Teddy Okereafor and Gabe Olaseni are back in the lineup, which also includes Ryan Richards and Mo Soluade and BBL MVP Justin Robinson receives a call-up while there could be debuts for Surrey guard Josh Steel and Akwasi Yeboah.
But there is a slew of significant absentees including Luke Nelson, Ove Soko, Rob Gilchrist, Andrew Lawrence, Kyle Johnson and Myles Hesson.
First up for Great Britain are Estonia on Friday 29th June, while Israel complete the First Found of World Cup qualifiers on Monday 2nd July. Both games will tip off at 7.30pm. GB enter camp this weekend intent on reaching the Second Round of qualifying, with two home wins.
Head Coach Alberto Lorenzo said, “We are looking forward to the prospect of welcoming Estonia and Israel for two vitally important games on our home court. With Kieron likely to make his 100th appearance in Great Britain colours, this is going to be a very special occasion.â€
The top three teams from Group H (currently led by Greece) will join the top three qualifiers from Group G in the Second Round of qualifying, which begins in September.
Gabe Olaseni, Fuenlabrada (Spain)
Will Saunders, Caceres (Spain)
Mo Soluade, Unicaja Malaga (Spain)
Teddy Okereafor, Bologna (Italy)
Josh Steel, Surrey Scorchers
Tarik Phillip, Clavijo (Spain)
Ryan Richards (unattached)
Dan Clark, Gipuzkoa (Spain)
Gareth Murray, Glasgow Rocks
Eric Boateng, Saint Vallier (France)
Akwasi Yeboah, Stony Brook University (US)
Kieron Achara, Glasgow Rocks
Carl Wheatle, Biella (Italy)
Justin Robinson, London Lions
Meanwhile Marc Steutel has been named as the new head coach of the GB Under-20 Men’s team got their European Championships with Jeff Jones helming the Under-20 Women.
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