LEONARD PRIMED FOR GB WOMEN’S SQUAD
Kennedy Leonard is set for a call-up into Great Britain’s initial squad for next month’s Women’s EuroBasket in Latvia.
The American-born point guard, who has had to be naturalised despite qualifying for UK citizenship through her Scottish mother, is expected to be the sole new face in Chema Buceta’s panel for the championships.
The 21-year-old has just finished a four-year stint at Colorado University where she became the team’s all-time leader in assists
British Basketball were forced to make a case that both Leonard and Karlie Samuelson were native, not naturalised, players despite both being eligible for UK citizenship since birth.
FIBA rules only permit one naturalised addition per team. Basketball Scotland had also approached Leonard to feature at the 2018 Commonwealth Games but did not obtain a place.
Buceta is also expected to bring back Savannah Wilkinson to fill the void left by the retirement of Azania Stewart while it is understood both Samuelson and Temi Fagbenle have confirmed their availability despite their conflicting schedule in the WNBA.
Provisional GB squad
Molly Campbell
Stef Collins
Temi Fagbenle
Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee
Cheridene Green
Chantelle Handy
Georgia Jones
Jo Leedham-Warner
Kennedy Leonard
Janice Monakana
Karlie Samuelson
Hannah Shaw
Eilidh Simpson
Rachael Vanderwal
Savannah Wilkinson
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