GB reveal 24-man initial squad list ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers

Image Credit: FIBA

British Basketball has named the 24-man squad for Great Britain’s final window of FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers in February.

With Head Coach Nate Reinking once again confirmed out, Marc Steutel will continue to lead the team in his third window as acting head coach, supported on the bench by assistant coaches Jamie Smith and Andreas Kapoulas.

The four Group G games in February are set to take place in a central Covid-19-secure ‘bubble’ in Podgorica, Montenegro.

The 24-man squad is the long list that needs to be submitted to FIBA, with only 14 usually expected at training camp.

12 of the 14 that suited up in the last window are listed in the 24, with only Conner Washington and Kareem Queeley absent.

Teddy Okereafor could be set to tie the record for most consecutive international games played if he gets the nod against Germany and France. The current record of 49 consecutive games has stood for 45-years and was set by Bill McInnes in 1976. Dan Clark (106 caps) will edge closer to catching all-time cap winner Eric Boateng (116 caps).

Callum Lawson, Matt Marsh, Aaron Menzies, Patrick Whelan, and Deane Williams receive their first call ups to the men’s national team. Cameron Hildreth, Rex Pflueger, Tarik Phillip, and Akwasi Yeboah are all recalled after featuring in November’s camp.

Whilst Kavell Bigby-Williams, Kyle Johnson, Gareth Murray, Jacob Round, Ovie Soko, Josh Steel, and Devon Van Oostrum could all be poised to make a return to the GB lineup.

The full 12 man list is as follows:

GB Senior Men’s Squad – February 2021 Window

(Name, club, caps)
Kavell Bigby-Williams, Pallacanestro Cantu (ITA), 6
Dan Clark, Real Betis (ESP), 106
Ashley Hamilton, Plymouth Raiders, 26
Myles Hesson, Elan Chalon (FRA), 43
Cameron Hildreth, Worthing Thunder, 0
Kyle Johnson, Njardvik (ISL), 83
Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Poitiers (FRA), 6
Callum Lawson, Thor Thorlakshofn (ISL), 0
Matt Marsh, ASVEL (FRA), 0
Aaron Menzies, Ourense (ESP), 0
Ben Mockford, Bristol Flyers, 41
Gareth Murray, Glasgow Rocks, 60
Luke Nelson, Gottingen (GER), 23
Teddy Okereafor, Bristol Flyers, 47
Gabe Olaseni, Buyukcekmece (TUR), 38
Rex Pflueger, Newcastle Eagles, 1
Tarik Phillip, Tofas (TUR), 8
Jacob Round, Levitec Huesca (ESP), 1
Ovie Soko, Le Mans (FRA), 10
Josh Steel, Ciudada de Ponferrada (ESP), 4
Devon Van Oostrum, Landstede Hammers (NED), 40
Patrick Whelan, Real Murcia (ESP), 0
Deane Williams, Keflavik (ISL), 0
Akwasi Yeboah, Saint-Quentin (FRA), 4

GB go into the bubble with momentum following a crucial 74-59 win over Montenegro in November. The GB Men have now won nine of their last 11 games with their only two losses coming on the road against sixth-in-the world France and 26th-ranked Montenegro.

France lead Group G with a 3-1 record, while Great Britain and Montenegro are tied for second place. Importantly, GB own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Montenegro based on aggregate point difference.

Germany are currently in fourth place; however, they are automatic qualifiers as EuroBasket 2022 hosts. Great Britain must finish ahead of either France or Montenegro in order to qualify for next summer’s EuroBasket championship.

GB play Germany on 20 February, and France on 22 February. The final 12-man rosters will be confirmed ahead of each game.

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