BABY JOY FOR LEEDHAM AS GB PREP FOR POLAND - Hoopsfix.com
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BABY JOY FOR LEEDHAM AS GB PREP FOR POLAND

By on October 31, 2020

Jo Leedham will sit out the rest of Great Britain’s EuroBasket campaign after it was revealed she is expecting her first child.

 

The veteran guard, who had not signed for the season, confirmed the news that a baby girl is on the way in March 2021 for her and her husband in an Instagram post.

It means just nine players from February’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament will feature in next month’s EuroBasket qualifier against Poland in Istanbul.

Eilidh Simpson, who sat out on February’s unsuccessful Tokyo bid due to injury, returns to the team for the first time since last November’s clash with the Poles while Samantha Roscoe and Evelyn Adebayo both receive their first call ups.

Rachael Vanderwal misses out due to knee surgery earlier this year and Karlie Samuelson is also unavailable for the trip. Stef Collins, the country’s all-time caps leader, is becoming assistant coach.

Squad

Evelyn Adebayo – Pacisa Alcobendas (Spain)
Kristine Anigwe – ÇBK Mersin Yenişehir Belediyesi (Turkey)
Renee Busch – Sevenoaks Suns
Chantel Charles – BA London Lions
Temi Fagbenle – Umana Reyer Venezia (Italy)
Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee – Manchester Mystics
Cheridene Green – Gorzow (Poland)
Chantelle Handy – Casademont Zaragoza (Spain)
Georgia Jones – Manchester Mystics
Janice Monakana – Sevenoaks Suns
Samantha Roscoe – Goettingen (Germany)
Hannah Shaw – Manchester Mystics
Eilidh Simpson – SV Halle (Germany)

Head Coach Chema Buceta said: “It is a big challenge for the GB team to come back under the current circumstances created by COVID, but I am sure that our players, as always, will do their best to overcome all difficulties. We will miss players who have provided a significant contribution to the success of the team in the recent past, but we are happy to welcome new people and rely on the talent, great attitude and lack of selfishness of all players invited.

“Team mentality, positive atmosphere and individual acceptance and responsibility of the role assigned will be again our main weapons. Last year we won our game against Poland, but that came after working hard on the court. We should not forget that Poland is a country with a strong basketball tradition, one team in Euroleague, some in Eurocup, a domestic league already running for a few weeks and good players. So now, one year later, we have to respect Poland and prepare well the game to be able to win”

Former player Azania Stewart will travel with the team as the appointed Covid Safety Officer.

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