REINKING TO SIT OUT QUALIFIERS

Nate Reinking will not coach GB in their opening EuroBasket qualifiers, with Marc Steutel to stand in.

MVP understands senior players were informed last week that the former Great Britain international – now head coach at the G-League’s Canton Charge – will not be on the bench for the trip to Montenegro next week and a home date with Germany in Newcastle on February 24

Even though the games coincide with the G-League’s All Star break, Canton have four games in that spell, preventing his release.

Steutel will be assisted by Bristol Flyers’ Andreas Kapoulas and Jamie Smith.

BBF Independent director (Performance) Toni Minichiello said: “We have known since before Nate coached his first game for us that there would be periods when he may be unavailable because of his G-League commitments. 
 
“The critical thing is to build trust, continuity and a way of playing that makes best use of the players we have, in our pursuit of EuroBasket Qualification and success. 

“Marc Steutel and Jamie Smith provide the valuable continuity with the brilliant unbeaten start Nate has made with the team. It’s important we build on British coaches and, in Andreas, we are delighted to be able to add someone of real pedigree and experience. 
 
“This is about building for the long-term with Nate as the driving force of this cultural change with a talented, experienced group in place around him.”

Reinking had said previously he would need permission from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Canton’s parent club, to be available during the forthcoming international window after taking charge initially ahead of last summer’s EuroBasket pre-qualifiers.

However Reinking’s absence is a blow to hopes of some continuity in a men’s programme which has lacked stability since Joe Prunty stepped down in 2017.