Great Britain National Team

[krikit2]

What about Kelenna Azubuike, he would be a huge addition o the team and solidify their backcourt. Plus, isn't Bryan Mathew Amaning also on the GB team?

Azibuke was denied citizenship when he applied last year, were some issues with his parents paperwork (legal status) at the time he was born in London.

 

[DAB2]

Team GB's chances from within

Team GB's chances from within

If Britain can assemble all their potential players they should at least have a respectable team. If they're going to be allowed to compete in sports like volleyball and handball where they are really going to be overmatched they ought to be able to field a basketball team as well.

Steve Bucknall was probably the first British-born player to make an impact.

It may still be a little early for Team GB to have a significant impact in Europe but I think we'll be competitive. Yes, Deng is 50% of the team, but Richard Midgley, Andrew Sullivan, Pops Mensah-Bonsu (in particular) and Andrew Betts are all good players while the new generation - Ryan Richards (in particular), Dan Clark, Joel Freeland will soon be in the mix. It's just a matter a keeping the core squad together. The British league remains weak, so the majority of our top players are scattered across the globe - NBA, NCAA, Spain etc. - so getting them together can be problematic. But we have to prove we can be competitive internationally before we're allowed to play in London 2012. If we do, it will not only be huge for the sport - additional sponsorship, boosting the league, enhancing grassroots basketball in the country - but inevitably it will also further open the door to the possibility of an NBA franchise. Anyway, will be catching the qualifying games over here so will report back.

Much respect to whoever mentioned Steve Bucknall. Buck opened the doors for British basketball (first Brit in the NBA, first to play regular ball in the major European leagues pre-Bosman). Along with John Amaechi and Luol Deng, he is British basketball GOAT.

 

[DAB2]

The Missing Brits

The Missing Brits

Azibuke was denied citizenship when he applied last year, were some issues with his parents paperwork (legal status) at the time he was born in London.

Azubuike not playing is a major blow, as is the injury to Robert Archibald and the likelihood of Ben Gordon never playing for Great Britain. Regarding Olowokandi, he has never represented England or Nigeria. I don't believe he has ever intended to represent the UK

 

[Richey6662]

Damn Deng&Co were 1 second away from upsetting Israel in an away game, Israel had only 3 seconds for last attack...but there was supposedly a foul 1 second before the end of the game, while GB was up by 2, I hope someone puts these last seconds up so we could see was it a phantom foul or not...very stupid foul, if there was one.

 

[Dtown2]

If it was a foul and not the ref being an idiot, then Reinking deserves a healthy portion of the blame. Not only missing the free throw that would have put them up three, but committing the foul that led to them tying the game.

 

[Manu Ginobili2]

That call was very doubtful in my eyes..certainly not a clear cut foul, though there was some contact. But usually it's not a call that should be taken, taking into account the situation in the game. We were very very lucky on this one..at least you can be comforted by the way Deng has played. You could not even noticed this guy joined the team before only two days..and Freeland was pretty good too.

 

[Richey6662]

That call was very doubtful in my eyes..certainly not a clear cut foul, though there was some contact. But usually it's not a call that should be taken, taking into account the situation in the game. We were very very lucky on this one..at least you can be comforted by the way Deng has played. You could not even noticed this guy joined the team before only two days..and Freeland was pretty good too.

England coach not satisfied with refereeing: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article4670272.ece

 

[rikhardur2]

Rule Britannia! Brits Clinch Eurobasket Spot


Great Britain confirmed their status as one of Europe's new elite by clinching a spot in their first EuroBasket on Wednesday with a 67-63 triumph at the Czech Republic.

Playing in Division B just one year ago, the Brits improved to 4-1 and sealed first place in Group D of Division A.

The Brits, told by FIBA they must prove their competitiveness before taking up the spot normally reserved for host nations at Olympic Games, have probably done enough to justify their place at the London 2012 Games.

Luol Deng and Co will try to put an exclamation point on their qualifying campaign by winning their last game in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday.

They will then try and make an even louder statement next summer in Poland where the final round will be staged only there, the Brits will encounter world class opponents like Russia, Spain, Greece, Lithuania, Croatia and Germany.

All of those sides played at this summer's Olympics in Beijing.

Britain, whose only defeat came at Israel in their opening game, a 102-92 overtime setback, became the first team in the group to win on the road.

Deng, the country's Chicago Bulls star, led the way with 21 points and Nate Reinking added 20.

The Brits overcame a terrific effort by the Czechs' Jiri Welsch, a player who scored a game-high 28 but missed a layup in the closing seconds that could have forced overtime.

After Tomás Satoránský buried a three-pointer to give the Czechs a 63-60 advantage with 2:36 remaining, Pops Mensah-Bonsu closed the gap to one with just under two minutes left by making two free throws.

Each team then committed a turnover, and Deng blocked a lay-up attempt by Welsch with 1:10 left.

Flinder Boyd committed his second straight turnover with a bad pass, but Welsch missed a three and fouled Deng.

The Sudan-born forward who moved to London at a young age made both free throws for a 64-63 lead.

After the Czechs missed, they fouled Richard Midgley and he was only able to convert the second for a 65-63 advantage with 10 seconds to go.

The Czechs inbounded the ball to Welsch at midcourt coming out of a timeout and he dribbled in for what looked to be an easy lay-up, using his body to shield himself from Mensah Bonsu.

The Unicaja Malaga swingman laid the ball off the glass too hard with his left hand. Satoránský tried to tip the ball in but missed and Mensah-Bonsu rebounded.

The Czechs fouled the DKV Joventut center and he made both for the four-point win.

Great Britain won, but the game was there for the taking for the Czechs. They missed nine of their 18 (50%) free throw attempts while the visitors sank 17 of 23 (73.9%).

The Brits won despite turning the ball over 24 times compared to just 11 for the home side.

Mensah-Bonsu had 12 rebounds to go with his nine points.

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_G0OesEKPI8-eqaemzH4682.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.html

 

[vaslover2]

O temperes,o mores(latin.)... It,s no secret,that England invented football for others(Brazil,Arg,Italy,Cameroon,Zimbabve,Armenia,even Lithuania ).But i couldn,t imagine that Great Britain basketball NT much stronger than England football NT!

 

[Khalid802]

"GB chase Kelenna Azubuike (by Eurobasket News)

GB bosses are back on the trail of NBA star Kelenna Azubuike (196-G/F-83, college: Kentucky) as they look to strengthen their squad for the 2009 European Championship Finals.

The Golden State Warriors guard does not yet possess a British passport, even though he was born in London prior to his family moving to the United States.

But he has indicated he is keen to pursue one and join the GB squad as it continues its successful march towards the 2012 Olympics.

GB performance manager Ron Wuotila said: 'We have had discussions with the NBA's international people, as well as Kelenna's people themselves, and every indication is that he is very keen to play.

'We understand that last year he had to concentrate on his NBA career and make sure that he had a contract to sign at the end of the season.

'But now that he has done that, we are investigating fully what needs to be done to help him obtain his passport.

'The NBA have been great partners for us in this and, hopefully, he will be another player we can add to the squad for the challenges ahead.'

GB continue to hold a regular dialogue with Chicago star Ben Gordon, a team mate of GB's Luol Deng at the Bulls, who has also committed his long-term international future to the country of his birth.

Like Azubuike, Gordon withdrew from consideration last year because of contract uncertainty at his club, but officials are hopeful that he will be available for the Finals in Poland.

And that could give coach Chris Finch three established NBA stars in his squad for a tough campaign that sees the Brits take on world champions Spain, Serbia and Slovenia in their opening group".

If GB can get Azubuike to play with them, they will be a very dangerous team in the 2009 European Championship. Good luck maties

 

[rikhardur2]

Brit Pops Adds Fizz To Spurs


Great Britain international Pops Mensah-Bonsu is making headlines again after his departure from Spanish basketball earlier this season.

The 2.06m forward, who played a prominent role for the Brits as they finished top of their EuroBasket 2009 qualifying group, had shoulder problems but instead of following the advice of DKV Joventut to have surgery, he agreed to part ways with DKV and travelled to the United States.

While averaging 26.6 points and 13 rebounds in eight games with the NBDL's Austin Toros, Mensah-Bonsu caught the eye of the San Antonio Spurs and was this week signed to a 10-day contract.

The Spurs were looking for help in the frontcourt with big man Tim Duncan suffering from a right leg injury.

"I felt confident that the way I was playing in the D-league, I had confidence I would be with an NBA team soon," said Mensah-Bonsu.

"I'm excited to be in an NBA organization with such class and history.

"I will hopefully have the chance to stay and represent my country."

DKV had hoped to sign the 25-year-old Mensah-Bonsu to a deal that would keep him in Badalona with Ricky Rubio and Co for next season but his decision to follow his dream of playing in the NBA looks to have paid off.

Great Britain coach Chris Finch will be counting on him when the team plays world champions Spain, Serbia and Slovenia in the Final Round at the EuroBasket in Poland.

"I'm really happy and excited for Pops, his determination to create this opportunity for himself is nothing short of amazing," Finch said.

"We wish him all the best and we all hope he will be able to turn this into a long-term NBA career.

"He certainly has it within him."

Britain, who finished ahead of Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic in qualifying, are shaping up to have quite a team.

Unicaja Malaga center Robert Archibald is planning to return to the squad which already includes Chicago Bulls ace Luol Deng.

London-born Ben Gordon, also with Chicago, is a player Britain are hoping to have in the national team as well.

"We are a pretty talented group," Mensah-Bonsu said.

"We want to gain respect from the rest of the countries and then see where we can take it.

"Playing for GB is the high of my priority list. Last year was the first chance to play.

"I have always wanted to be first onboard. Now, with us going to the EuroBasket Finals, I'm not going to let anything get in the way.

"I'm sure whatever team I'm with, I will be able to get to Poland and represent my country."

Mensah-Bonsu played college basketball at George Washington and did spend some time with the Dallas Mavericks earlier in his career.

He wound up in Europe with Benetton Treviso and then joined Granada for the final game of last season and had a match-winning performance against Tau Ceramica in the regular-season finale to keep the club in the top flight.

Mensah-Bonsu attempted to secure an NBA move last summer but ended up joining outfit DKV in Spain and was so good early on that he earned Week 2 MVP honors in the Euroleague.

He will be on the bench on Friday night when the Spurs host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_fF0HEbluIYgtTw2ArYYHy0.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.html

 

[vaslover2]

My favourite british player still more than alive!!!
Last night Pops Mensah-Bonsu statistics against Miami Heat: 15 min, 4pts+10reb(!) . I think quite good beginning.
P.s. How,s pity, that he doesn,t play in Badalona until the end of the season...

 

[rikhardur2]

GBR – Raptors quickly snap up available Brit Mensah-Bonsu

TORONTO (NBA) – Pops Mensah-Bonsu didn’t last long in San Antonio but he has quickly found a new team after signing with the Toronto Raptors and this time, the Great Britain international has found a club for the remainder of the campaign.

The Raptors have confirmed the deal on their website.

“The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have signed centre Pops Mensah-Bonsu to a contract for the remainder of the season,” the team said.

The 6ft 10in Mensah-Bonsu impressed for Great Britain last summer, helping them finish top of their qualifying group for this year’s EuroBasket where the Brits will take on Serbia, world champions Spain and Slovenia in group play.

He began this season with DKV Joventut and thrived, even earning Euroleague Player of the Week honors once, but suffered an injury and ended up parting with the team.

Mensah-Bonsu travelled to America and once fully fit, averaged 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in eight games with the D-League's Austin Toros.

He had six double-doubles, with a high of 39 points at Colorado and three games of 18 rebounds (at Anaheim, Colorado and Rio Grande Valley).

Mensah-Bonsu impressed in his brief stint with the Spurs on a 10-day contract but the club deemed him surplus to requirements after the return of big man Tim Duncan from injury.

The 25-year-old was released by San Antonio on Wednesday after playing in three games, averaging 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 6.7 minutes.

He appeared in 12 games with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006-07 season where he totaled 29 points and 22 rebounds in 72 minutes.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29558/arti.html

 

[mvblair2]

Pops Mensah-Bonsu with a solid game in his fourth with the Raptors. He scored 21 points (5-10) in 21 minutes and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Happy dude

 

[mvblair2]

Deng to play this summer for GB...

DENG TO HELP GB IN "SOME CAPACITY" THIS SUMMER -- March 15, 2009, Basketball 24/7, by Ian Whittel

Luol Deng will fly in the face of advice from his personal coach and, most likely, his club the Chicago Bulls and play for Great Britain in this summer's European Championship Finals.

The 6'9" forward is currently sidelined with a stress fracture in his right leg that may require minor surgery, the latest in a series of niggling injuries that have plagued the Sudanese-born Deng since his international debut.

Deng, 23, missed just four games out of 164 in the two seasons before his first game for the newly-formed GB team in the summer of 2007.

...Deng's concession of playing fewer warm-up games could potentially disappoint GB fans who had hoped to see him play in a tournament planned for London in August.

And GB will still have to negotiate the Bulls' understandable dissatisfaction that their highly-priced asset is about to spend two months of the close season on internatonal service.

However, as long as the British federation covers the insurance for the $62 million remaining on Deng's contract, the Bulls will be powerless to prevent Deng from playing for his country.

 

[Blinky2]

May I ask guys, how legal is it for England-Scotland-Wales-Ireland to send a unified team under the name of GB?

Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing, because these countries have low basketball quality, and a unified team can make them more competitive, and also help the sport in thos countries.

However it stil seems weird to me how FIBA would allow this. Imagine if other countries took advantage of this and let's say there was a "Mediterannean NT" formed with players from Spain, Italy and Greece....it would simply dominate and would be so unfair...

 

[damelo2]

May I ask guys, how legal is it for England-Scotland-Wales-Ireland to send a unified team under the name of GB?

Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing, because these countries have low basketball quality, and a unified team can make them more competitive, and also help the sport in thos countries.

However it stil seems weird to me how FIBA would allow this. Imagine if other countries took advantage of this and let's say there was a "Mediterannean NT" formed with players from Spain, Italy and Greece....it would simply dominate and would be so unfair...

GB is ONE country, and is sending ONE team in the olympics.

Yet, it is composed of several nations, which have different NTs and championships for football and rugby. But, Not for the Oympics.

Once, Cataluña talked about having its own basketball NT.

 

[Dtown2]

From what I understand the only reason that there isn't a team GB in soccer, is each of the individual nations gets a say in FIFA matters and they don't want to give up any power in the sport. In Basketball this isn't even remotely an issue.

As was pointed out above Great Britain puts on a united front for the Olympics, so I don't see this as being different.

 

[Fearless2]

May I ask guys, how legal is it for England-Scotland-Wales-Ireland to send a unified team under the name of GB?

Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing, because these countries have low basketball quality, and a unified team can make them more competitive, and also help the sport in thos countries.

However it stil seems weird to me how FIBA would allow this. Imagine if other countries took advantage of this and let's say there was a "Mediterannean NT" formed with players from Spain, Italy and Greece....it would simply dominate and would be so unfair...

Mediterranean -----> not a country
Great Britain -----> a country

 

[mvblair2]

May I ask guys, how legal is it for England-Scotland-Wales-Ireland to send a unified team under the name of GB?

Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing, because these countries have low basketball quality, and a unified team can make them more competitive, and also help the sport in thos countries.

However it stil seems weird to me how FIBA would allow this. Imagine if other countries took advantage of this and let's say there was a "Mediterannean NT" formed with players from Spain, Italy and Greece....it would simply dominate and would be so unfair...

I get your point. I wondered whether or not this is fair. Honestly, if all three of those teams were good, I'd probably be outraged. But, I guess since all these "nations"/"ethnic groups" (we need a discussion in the UN section) are more or less governed by the same body, it's OK.