Ben Mockford announces international retirement - Hoopsfix.com

Ben Mockford announces international retirement

Ben Mockford GB Retirement

After almost a decade of competing at the elite level of senior men’s international basketball, Great Britain guard Ben Mockford has announced his national team retirement.

The 55-cap veteran ranks eighth all-time in caps for the men’s team and will leave big sneakers to fill in his wake as the 33-year-old sharpshooter brought a grit and toughness to GB that set the tone for others.

“For me this feels like the right time,” Mockford said.

“We’re coming to the end of a cycle for a core group of players that have been in the team for many years, and it is time for the next generation to come through, gain some experience at this level and make their mark on the team.

“It wasn’t too difficult a decision for me. I’m obviously very passionate about GB and will miss putting on the jersey, but it is definitely the right time and I’m at peace with that. There’s a huge amount of pride and passion that I’ve always felt for this team.

“I’m very happy with how national team career has developed. I’ve filled every possible role for GB, whether that’s on the bench waving the towel or starting and making big shots, so I’m immensely proud of what I’ve achieved and thankful to have been a part of it.”

Mockford made his debut back in 2014 when current Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Joe Prunty was at the helm for Great Britain and made an instant impact away to Bosnia & Herzegovina with 19 points early in his international career – including a slick five makes from eight attempts beyond the arc.

The attributes that saw Mockford stand out back then as a tenacious go-getter have stayed with him throughout a career that has seen him feature at two EuroBaskets for GB and form part of a core group of players that secured a memorable run of victories in recent years against France, Germany, Montenegro and Greece.

He retires with a three-point field goal percentage of 34.6%, with the 11th most three-point field goals in GB history.

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