Handy to suit up as GB Senior Women’s squad named for EuroBasket qualifers

Chantelle Handy will return from international retirement as Chema Buceta has named his 13-player training camp roster for the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifying games against Sweden and Estonia later this month.

With 140 caps to her name, Handy is hugely experienced and made herself available after several players were ruled out with injury.

Handy said: “I received a call from Chema asking for some support as unfortunately a few players are not able to play due to injury.

“He knows how much this programme means to me and knows I’ll always support them in any way I can. If that means coming back in to help, that’s what I’ll do.”

The team sees the return of point guard Kennedy Leonard and first call ups for Harriet Swindells, currently playing in Germany, and Leicester’s Sam Ashby.

They will face face Sweden in a home game on 9 November at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester and will then face Estonia in Tallinn just three days later on 12 November.

“My feeling is positive because I see a very positive attitude from the players who will be in the team and they are capable of succeeding,” Buceta commented.

“I think that we are going to have a very good window.”

GB Senior Women Roster

Sam Ashby, Guard, 5’8”, Leicester Riders (GBR)
Kirsty Brown, Centre, 6’3”, Caledonia Gladiators (GBR)
Temi Fagbenle, Forward, 6’4”, London Lions (GBR)
Georgia Gayle, Guard, 5’7”, Sheffield Hatters (GBR)
Chantelle Handy, Forward, 6’2”, Caledonia Gladiators (GBR)
Shequila Joseph, Forward, 6’1″, Panathlitikos (GRE)
Kennedy Leonard, Guard, 5’7”, Free Agent
Abby Lowe, Guard, 5’9”, Newcastle Eagles (GBR)
Erin McGarrachan, Forward, 6’0″, Caledonia Gladiators (GBR)
Hannah Robb, Guard, 5’7”, Caledonia Gladiators (GBR)
Harriet Swindells, Guard, 5’5”, Eintracht Braunschweig Lion Pride (GER)
Savannah Wilkinson, Forward, 6’1”, London Lions (GBR)
Holly Winterburn, Guard, 5’10”, London Lions (GBR)

Coaching Staff
Chema Buceta – Head Coach
Vanessa Ellis – Assistant Coach
Stef Collins – Assistant Coach
Susana Garcia – Performance Analyst

Performance Staff
Mark Lloyd – General Manager
Peter Thain – Head of Sports Science & Medicine
Dr Linda Evans – Team Doctor
Ross Knevett – Sports Therapist
Paula Charity – Team Manager
Lauren Newham – Media Officer

Tickets for the games are available here – use code HOOPSFIX10 for a 10% discount.

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