Great Britain National Team

[mbenga]

Hi, i'd like to know where can i buy a british NT shirt, either online or in a store in London. Thanks.

[ArnoldPettybone]

Hi, i'd like to know where can i buy a british NT shirt, either online or in a store in London. Thanks.

http://camisetasfiba.blogspot.com/

[mvblair]

Azubuike is out for September:

AZUBUIKE 'GIVES UP' ON EUROBASKET - by Basketball 24/7, April 21, 2009

NBA baller Kelenna Azubuike has given up his dream of playing for his homeland Great Britain in this summer's European Championships.

Despite being born in London, the Golden State Warriors starter has been refused a British passport.

British Basketball are currently trying to help Azubuike negotiate the red tape required to successfully complete the necessary paperwork.

But with Eurobasket looming in Poland in September, the 6'5" guard does not expect to make his GB debut in 2009.

He said: "Definitely not this summer. I have kind of given up on it.

"They haven't even told me they are close to getting a passport so it will be tough for this summer.

"I'm still trying to get it worked on and I'm not really sure what the timeline is because of the complication with the changes in the passport rules.

"I definitely still want to play for the British national team at some point but I'm not just sure when."

Azubuike, 25, truly established himself as an NBA regular this season, averaging over 32 minutes a game and scoring 14.4 points and 5 rebounds per outing.

His Warriors team mates Andris Biedrins (Latvia), Marco Belinelli (Italy) and Ronny Turiaf (France) could all be in action in this summer's Eurobasket.

And Oklahoma-raised Azubuike added: "I talk to Andris about it and he says he enjoys playing international ball, it's a great experience and I definitely should do it.

"And of course the 2012 Olympics are definitely attractive, it would be a dream. The Olympic Games are an amazing event so it would be a dream to be part of it."

Biedrins promises to be one of the major stars in Poland and believes his team mate has what it takes to make his mark in Europe.

Biedrins added: "He's an overall really good player who can do a lot of things - he's great offensively and can score and is pretty solid and works hard at the defensive end.

"Plus, he can run and jump, he's athletic so he won't have any problems in international basketball."

Azubuike's problems with his passport application relate to the status of his parents when he was born in London and the fact he missed an earlier cut off point to apply for his passport, having left the UK as a baby.

[AlbionGate]

Ben Gordon Named In Training Squad Roster

Head Coach Chris Finch has compiled a 24-man squad list for the training camp in August. Included are the NBA's Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, although Gordon is yet to confirm his availability.

There are also three names from the British Basketball League, including 22-year-old newcomer Tafari Toney, who has starred for the league winning Newcastle Eagles this season.

Full Squad:
Kieron Achara - Fortitudo (ITA)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)
Eric Boateng - Arizone State University (USA)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
Matthew Bryan-Amaning - Universtiy of Washington (USA)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
Daryl Corletto - Melbourne Tigers (AUS)
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Germayne Forbes - Nyon (SUI)
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Randall Hanke - Providence University (USA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai - L'Hospitalet (ESP)
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Steve Leven - West Brabant Giants (NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Richard Midgley - Everton Tigers
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Justin Robinson - Rider Univertisy (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
Tafari Toney - Newcastle Eagles

[vaslover]

Ben Gordon Named In Training Squad Roster

Head Coach Chris Finch has compiled a 24-man squad list for the training camp in August. Included are the NBA's Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, although Gordon is yet to confirm his availability.

There are also three names from the British Basketball League, including 22-year-old newcomer Tafari Toney, who has starred for the league winning Newcastle Eagles this season.

Full Squad:
Kieron Achara - Fortitudo (ITA)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)
Eric Boateng - Arizone State University (USA)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
Matthew Bryan-Amaning - Universtiy of Washington (USA)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
Daryl Corletto - Melbourne Tigers (AUS)
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Germayne Forbes - Nyon (SUI)
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Randall Hanke - Providence University (USA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai - L'Hospitalet (ESP)
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Steve Leven - West Brabant Giants (NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Richard Midgley - Everton Tigers
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Justin Robinson - Rider Univertisy (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
Tafari Toney - Newcastle Eagles

I,ve no doubt that football England NT doesn,t have such strong squad as their basketball compatriots! Furthermore, GBR NT has more chances to win eurobasket than England NT can win EC in football!!!

[Neozyrus]

With this players a very interesting 12-men roster could be made:

PG
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
SG
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
SF
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
PF
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
C
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)

Being the last spot in the roster between:
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)

If the best men of this roster arrive in shape to the tournament, this team could put into real trouble almost any NT.

[AlbionGate]

With this players a very interesting 12-men roster could be made:

PG
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
SG
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
SF
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
PF
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
C
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)

Being the last spot in the roster between:
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)

If the best men of this roster arrive in shape to the tournament, this team could put into real trouble almost any NT.

I don't think so. Although the major part of starting five (Mensah-Bonsu, Freeland, Deng, Gordon) is very good, this team don't have reliable back-up players. Moreover playmakers are really weak. And finally, we have to see how will Gordon adapt to FIBA rules.

[Neozyrus]

I don't think so. Although the major part of starting five (Mensah-Bonsu, Freeland, Deng, Gordon) is very good, this team don't have reliable back-up players. Moreover playmakers are really weak. And finally, we have to see how will Gordon adapt to FIBA rules.

Yeah i get your point but i think that the most important thing for this team will be the team work and the chemistry among the players, cause they already have some players that can really decide a game. And watching how the team played in the last tournament against Bosnia, Israel..etc im pretty optimistic.

Imo you have a couple of players that can create easily their own shots like Gordon and Deng with a quite high accurancy. The substiute of Deng really wouldnt mind as there is no doubt that he must play as many minutes as he can (more or less like Nowitzki does in Germany).
The omly problem with Bonsu should be his shot selection, if he's able to improve a little this aspect, he can have a relly impressive tournament. And apart from that, with him you have a machine near the rim at both ends of the floor and a defensive monster ( if he can maintain himself out of the foul trouble). And you have also a great backup in this position as Archibald is, that can give the team a lot of fight, hustle, rebounds, points and some really quality minutes with or without Pops in the court.

About the rest of the positions, i hope Freeland got some rest before the trainig camp, cause the lenght of the season seems to be causing him some phisychal problems. If he manages to be at 90% for the tournament, you will have a great help in the pf position, and a player that could open many many spaces for the shots of Deng and Gordon.

The subsutitue of Gordon should be George, that, although is clear that his not going to be a reference in the team, normally he doesnt make easy mistakes in the plays, he can shoot and seems to be quite confortble inside the team. A decent replacement imo.

And probably you're righ in the pg position, but i was gladly suprise by Reinking in the last games. He has been doing some good seasons in Belgium, and has adquired enough experience to know what he can do and what he cant do ( and thats a really important factor in a pg). And despite hes getting old, in he can be in shape at the beginning of the tournament, i now he wont be able to compete with the best guards, but he can be a great help for his teammates.

[FilWelsh]

Yeah i get your point but i think that the most important thing for this team will be the team work and the chemistry among the players, cause they already have some players that can really decide a game. And watching how the team played in the last tournament against Bosnia, Israel..etc im pretty optimistic.

Imo you have a couple of players that can create easily their own shots like Gordon and Deng with a quite high accurancy. The substiute of Deng really wouldnt mind as there is no doubt that he must play as many minutes as he can (more or less like Nowitzki does in Germany).
The omly problem with Bonsu should be his shot selection, if he's able to improve a little this aspect, he can have a relly impressive tournament. And apart from that, with him you have a machine near the rim at both ends of the floor and a defensive monster ( if he can maintain himself out of the foul trouble). And you have also a great backup in this position as Archibald is, that can give the team a lot of fight, hustle, rebounds, points and some really quality minutes with or without Pops in the court.

About the rest of the positions, i hope Freeland got some rest before the trainig camp, cause the lenght of the season seems to be causing him some phisychal problems. If he manages to be at 90% for the tournament, you will have a great help in the pf position, and a player that could open many many spaces for the shots of Deng and Gordon.

The subsutitue of Gordon should be George, that, although is clear that his not going to be a reference in the team, normally he doesnt make easy mistakes in the plays, he can shoot and seems to be quite confortble inside the team. A decent replacement imo.

And probably you're righ in the pg position, but i was gladly suprise by Reinking in the last games. He has been doing some good seasons in Belgium, and has adquired enough experience to know what he can do and what he cant do ( and thats a really important factor in a pg). And despite hes getting old, in he can be in shape at the beginning of the tournament, i now he wont be able to compete with the best guards, but he can be a great help for his teammates.

Whoever Chris Finch decide to be included in his final roster for Eurobasket, i think will be good enough considering the depth of talent the Team GB having now. . . I believe they will make a noise even a scare against teams in their group including Pau Gasol's Spain. . .

[reamily]

Its a long shot

I know its a long shot I hope also filwesh can help me invite the GB national team or even your pool to come to philippines and play our rp team this coming summer(july) part of our preparations for the regional qualifiers for wbc. You will learn alot from the rp teams and also vice versa. Thanks for reading.

[sixama23]

I don't think so. Although the major part of starting five (Mensah-Bonsu, Freeland, Deng, Gordon) is very good, this team don't have reliable back-up players. Moreover playmakers are really weak. And finally, we have to see how will Gordon adapt to FIBA rules.

I totally agree with you. I don't think that the British point guards have the ability to react really well against the Spanish or Serbian pressure on defence. Also, they are placed in a very difficult group. The main advantage of this team is their front-line which includes players like Archibald, Mensa-Bonsu and Betts. But with play-makers such as Reinking or Boyd, there won't be many passes inside the "paint". Of course Deng is a great player, but well-organized teams such as Spain, Slovenia and Serbia cannot be beaten by only one player. Things will be very tough for the British NT at this Eurobasket.

[rikhardur]

Mensah-Bonsu, Gordon And Deng In British Squad

Great Britain coach Chris Finch has included Chicago Bulls duo Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, and Toronto Raptors center Pops Mensah-Bonsu in the country's 24-man preliminary squad for September's EuroBasket.

The Brits will take on Serbia, Slovenia and world champions Spain in Group C in Warsaw.

Gordon, who was born in London but grew up in the United States, has yet to represent Britain but is enthusiastic about joining the national side, though he has yet to commit for 2009.

He is currently with the Bulls in the NBA play-offs.

Deng hasn't played for the Bulls since February 28 because of a minor stress fracture in his leg and is a big uncertainty for the Final Round in Poland while Mensah-Bonsu finished the season on a high after signing with the Raptors.

A couple of other big names in the squad are Unicaja Malaga's Robert Archibald and Gran Canaria's Joel Freeland.

The 24-man preliminary squad:

Kieron Achara (Fortitudo, ITA)
Rob Archibald (Unicaja, ESP)
Andy Betts (Aris Thesaloniki, GRE)
Eric Boateng (Arizona State, USA)
Flinder Boyd (Leicester Riders, GBR)
Matthew Bryan-Amaning (University of Washington, USA)
Dan Clark (Estudiantes, ESP)
Daryl Corletto (Melbourne Tigers, AUS)
Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Germayne Forbes (Nyon, SWI)
Joel Freeland (Gran Canaria, ESP)
Nick George (Gravelines Dunkerque, FRA)
Ben Gordon (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Randall Hanke (Providence, USA)
Jarrett Hart (Keravnos, CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai (L'Hospitalet, ESP)
Mike Lenzly (Harem Scafati, ITA)
Steve Leven (West Brabant-Giants NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Toronto Raptors, USA)
Richard Midgley (Everton Tigers, GBR)
Nate Reinking (Mons Hainaut, BEL)
Justin Robinson (Rider University, USA)
Andrew Sullivan (no club)
Tafari Toney (Newcastle Eagles, GBR)

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_U1eg9YU1JRYy-IIqSo8gf1.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.html

[FilWelsh]

I totally agree with you. I don't think that the British point guards have the ability to react really well against the Spanish or Serbian pressure on defence. Also, they are placed in a very difficult group. The main advantage of this team is their front-line which includes players like Archibald, Mensa-Bonsu and Betts. But with play-makers such as Reinking or Boyd, there won't be many passes inside the "paint". Of course Deng is a great player, but well-organized teams such as Spain, Slovenia and Serbia cannot be beaten by only one player. Things will be very tough for the British NT at this Eurobasket.

You are right. Backcourt is the weakest link of this Team GB. . .But you will never know, we are capable of giving upsets against teams in our group. . .

[g.g]

You are right. Backcourt is the weakest link of this Team GB. . .But you will never know, we are capable of giving upsets against teams in our group. . .

Big congrats to GB team....can anyone let me know if/when British TV wold broadcast any games prior to the Euro so I can see the team's strenght?
I think it would be v hard for GB in this group but good luck anyway.

[auris1]

Big congrats to GB team....can anyone let me know if/when British TV wold broadcast any games prior to the Euro so I can see the team's strenght?
I think it would be v hard for GB in this group but good luck anyway.

Very unlikely. Not on the freeview anyway .Bbc holds rights for a cup final ,and that is that.