Great Britain national basketball team
Encyclopedia
The Great Britain men's national basketball team, known as Great Britain or GB, is the national team for Great Britain in basketball
. The current governing body for the Great Britain team was formed by the national basketball organisations of England (England Basketball
), Scotland
(basketballscotland) and Wales
(Basketball Wales
) on 1 December 2005 in order to provide a competitive team for international competition. This structure does not include the basketball association of Northern Ireland
; Northern Irish players normally represent the Ireland national basketball team
, though they are also eligible to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Games
.
Great Britain's head coach is Chris Finch
of Rio Grande Valley Vipers
, assisted by Tony Garbelotto
, Tim Lewis, Nick Nurse
and Paul Mokeski. Its best-known player is NBA
small forward
Luol Deng
.
, which was hosted in London. The team at that tournament won none of its five games. However, the England national basketball team
did qualify for EuroBasket 1981
, winning just one game, against Greece
.
After London won the right to host the 2012 Summer Olympics
, the organisers wanted competitive teams at every sport, including basketball. The new Great Britain side was formed on 1 December 2005 from the existing teams from the UK. The new team secured the help of NBA
's Chicago Bulls
' star Luol Deng
, and he led the team to promotion from EuroBasket Division B to Division A. FIBA
have stated that Great Britain must prove their competitiveness prior to being granted the spot in the Olympic tournament that would normally be reserved for the host nation.
In Great Britain's first season at the Division A level in 2008, the team finished on top of a group which also included Bosnia and Herzegovina
, Czech Republic
and Israel
to qualify for EuroBasket 2009
.
During August 2010 Great Britain began their qualification campaign for Eurobasket 2011
. Britain were drawn into a group containing Bosnia and Herzegovina
, Hungary, Macedonia and Ukraine. They finished top of their group and qualified for back to back Eurobasket tournaments for their first time.
On 13 March 2011, Fiba voted 17-3 in favour of Great Britain receiving their host nation spot at the 2012 Olympic games
with one condition, they have until 30 June 2012 to decide on whether to merge the three nations that make up the team or disband after the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janero.
At Eurobasket 2011
Great Britain recorded their first Eurobasket win on route to a 2–3 record, good enough for 13th in the first 24 team Eurobasket tournament.
Most points scored in a game by an individual player - Luol Deng
, 38 points v Bosnia & Herzegovina, 26th August 2010
.
|}
| valign="top" |
Head coach
Assistant coaches
----
Legend:
|}
!width="40"|Pos.
!width="165"|Starter
!width="165"|Bench
!width="165"|Bench
!width="165"|Reserve
!width="165"|Inactive
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | C
| Robert Archibald
|| Eric Boateng
|| || ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | PF
| Joel Freeland
|| Dan Clark
|| || ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | SF
| Luol Deng
|| Drew Sullivan
|| || ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | SG
| Nate Reinking
|| Mike Lenzly
|| Kyle Johnson
|| ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | PG
| Ogo Adegboye
|| Devon van Oostrum
|| Andrew Lawrence
|| ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
|}
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. The current governing body for the Great Britain team was formed by the national basketball organisations of England (England Basketball
England Basketball
England Basketball is the governing body of the sport of basketball for England. The organisation operates the English Basketball League for both Men and Women, as well as the England national team...
), Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
(basketballscotland) and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
(Basketball Wales
Basketball Wales
Basketball Wales is the sole controller and the national governing body of all aspects of the game of basketball in Wales...
) on 1 December 2005 in order to provide a competitive team for international competition. This structure does not include the basketball association of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
; Northern Irish players normally represent the Ireland national basketball team
Ireland national basketball team
- Performance at Summer Olympics :-Notable players:*Pat Burke – Only Irish-born to have played in the NBA. Played for Orlando Magic & Phoenix Suns...
, though they are also eligible to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
.
Great Britain's head coach is Chris Finch
Chris Finch (basketball)
Chris Finch is a former American professional basketball player, and a current basketball coach. He is currently the assistant coach of the Houston Rockets of the NBA, and the head coach of the senior Great Britain men's national basketball team.-College:Finch is a 1992 graduate of Franklin &...
of Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Rio Grande Valley Vipers
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a 2007-08 expansion team in the NBA Development League. They play their home games at the State Farm Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas....
, assisted by Tony Garbelotto
Tony Garbelotto
Tony Garbelotto is an English basketball coach. He became head coach of Everton Tigers in 2008, and is an assistant coach to Chris Finch with Great Britain....
, Tim Lewis, Nick Nurse
Nick Nurse
Nick Nurse is an American basketball coach who is the head coach for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League ....
and Paul Mokeski. Its best-known player is NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
Luol Deng
Luol Deng
Luol Deng is a South Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls and the Great Britain national basketball team. He plays the small forward position.-Early life:...
.
History
British teams have rarely made an impact on the international scene, only featuring in one Olympics in 1948Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics was the second appearance of the sport as an official medal event. A total number of 23 nations entered the competition....
, which was hosted in London. The team at that tournament won none of its five games. However, the England national basketball team
England national basketball team
The England national basketball team represents England in international basketball competitions. The team is organized by England Basketball, the sport's governing body in England...
did qualify for EuroBasket 1981
EuroBasket 1981
The 1981 FIBA European Basketball Championship, commonly called EuroBasket 1981, was the 22nd regional championship held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Czechoslovakia and took place from May 26 to June 5, 1981...
, winning just one game, against Greece
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
.
After London won the right to host the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
, the organisers wanted competitive teams at every sport, including basketball. The new Great Britain side was formed on 1 December 2005 from the existing teams from the UK. The new team secured the help of NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
' star Luol Deng
Luol Deng
Luol Deng is a South Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls and the Great Britain national basketball team. He plays the small forward position.-Early life:...
, and he led the team to promotion from EuroBasket Division B to Division A. FIBA
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
have stated that Great Britain must prove their competitiveness prior to being granted the spot in the Olympic tournament that would normally be reserved for the host nation.
In Great Britain's first season at the Division A level in 2008, the team finished on top of a group which also included Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team
The Bosnian and Herzegovinian national basketball team represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in international basketball matches and competitions.-History:...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic national basketball team
The Czech national basketball team is the national basketball team representing Czech Republic.-Eurobasket 1999:At Eurobasket 1999 in France Czech national team took 12th place after beating Lithuania and Greece in the group phase...
and Israel
Israel national basketball team
The Israeli national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Israel in international competition.The Israeli team has participated 25 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in Eurobasket 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977...
to qualify for EuroBasket 2009
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
.
During August 2010 Great Britain began their qualification campaign for Eurobasket 2011
Eurobasket 2011
EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to...
. Britain were drawn into a group containing Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team
The Bosnian and Herzegovinian national basketball team represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in international basketball matches and competitions.-History:...
, Hungary, Macedonia and Ukraine. They finished top of their group and qualified for back to back Eurobasket tournaments for their first time.
On 13 March 2011, Fiba voted 17-3 in favour of Great Britain receiving their host nation spot at the 2012 Olympic games
Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- External links :**...
with one condition, they have until 30 June 2012 to decide on whether to merge the three nations that make up the team or disband after the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janero.
At Eurobasket 2011
Eurobasket 2011
EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to...
Great Britain recorded their first Eurobasket win on route to a 2–3 record, good enough for 13th in the first 24 team Eurobasket tournament.
Records and Statistics
Biggest win - 74-41 v Switzerland, 33 points, 11th September 2007Most points scored in a game by an individual player - Luol Deng
Luol Deng
Luol Deng is a South Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls and the Great Britain national basketball team. He plays the small forward position.-Early life:...
, 38 points v Bosnia & Herzegovina, 26th August 2010
Olympic Games
| Year | Position | W | L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics was the second appearance of the sport as an official medal event. A total number of 23 nations entered the competition.... |
20th | 1 | 7 |
| 2012 Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics - External links :**... |
|||
| Total | - | 1 | 7 |
EuroBasket
| Year | Position | W | L |
|---|---|---|---|
 2009EuroBasket 2009 The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009... |
13th | 0 | 3 |
 2011Eurobasket 2011 EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to... |
13th | 2 | 3 |
 2013Eurobasket 2013 The European Basketball Championship of 2013, commonly known as Eurobasket 2013, will be the 38th edition of the championship organised by FIBA Europe. It will take place from 4 September till 22 September 2013 in Slovenia... |
Qualifed | ||
| Total | - | 2 | 6 |
Roster
This was Great Britain's roster for EuroBasket 2011Eurobasket 2011
EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to...
.
|}
| valign="top" |
Head coach
Assistant coaches
----
Legend:
- Club – describes last
club before the tournament - Age – describes age
on 31 August 2011
|}
Depth Chart
{| style="text-align: center; background:#1C2D8C; color:#FFFFFF"!width="40"|Pos.
!width="165"|Starter
!width="165"|Bench
!width="165"|Bench
!width="165"|Reserve
!width="165"|Inactive
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | C
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
| Robert Archibald
Robert Archibald
Robert Michael Archibald Jr. is a Scottish professional basketball player. A 6'11" power forward-center from the University of Illinois, he was selected by the NBA club the Memphis Grizzlies with the third pick of the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft...
|| Eric Boateng
Eric Boateng
Eric Yamoah Boateng is a 6'10" British professional basketball player. He is a former player with the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team. He attended St. Andrew's School in Middletown, Delaware. Boateng committed to Duke University out of high school, but transferred after one season...
|| || ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | PF
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
| Joel Freeland
Joel Freeland
Joel Freeland is a British professional basketball player. He is a forward-center. His playing style has been compared to that of David Lee of the Golden State Warriors and former NBA player Keon Clark...
|| Dan Clark
Daniel Clark (basketball)
Daniel Clark , is a British basketball player currently with CB Estudiantes of the Spanish Basketball League. Clark is also a member of the British national team.-Early life:...
|| || ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | SF
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
| Luol Deng
Luol Deng
Luol Deng is a South Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls and the Great Britain national basketball team. He plays the small forward position.-Early life:...
|| Drew Sullivan
Andrew Sullivan (basketball)
Andrew Sullivan is a British professional basketball player. He plays for Leicester Riders and captains the Great Britain national team.-School years:...
|| || ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | SG
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
| Nate Reinking
Nate Reinking
Nathan "Nate" James Reinking is a American-British professional basketball point guard who plays for the Sheffield Sharks.-Pro career:...
|| Mike Lenzly
Mike Lenzly
Mike Lenzly is a British professional basketball player. He is a 1.89 m tall point guard-shooting guard. He is currently playing with ČEZ Basketball Nymburk in the Czech Republic.-College career:...
|| Kyle Johnson
Kyle Johnson (basketball)
Kyle Johnson is a British basketball player who currently plays for APOEL in Cyprus.-College career:Johnson's college career spanned four season where he averaged 11.6 points per game whilst making a Long Island University record 124 appearances...
|| ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
! style="background:#efe196" | PG
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
| Ogo Adegboye
Ogo Adegboye
Ogooluwa Adegboye is a British basketball player who currently plays for APOEL in Cyprus.-Early Life:Born in Nigeria, Adegboye moved to London at the age of three...
|| Devon van Oostrum
Devon van Oostrum
-Professional career:van Oostrum started his basketball career with British basketball league club Sheffield Sharks in 2008. In the summer of 2009 van Oostrum moved to Spanish ACB team Caja Laboral who loaned him to Euskotren Fundacion Baskonia who play in the fifth tier of the Spanish basketball...
|| Andrew Lawrence
Andrew Lawrence (basketball)
-Personal:Lawrence is the son of Renaldo Lawrence who was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in the eighth round of the 1979 NBA Draft. He is also the nephew of David Lawrence who played in the British Basketball League for six seasons....
|| ||
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:black"
|}
See also
- Great Britain men's national wheelchair basketball teamGreat Britain men's national wheelchair basketball teamThe Great Britain men's national wheelchair basketball team is the men's wheelchair basketball side that represents Great Britain in international competitions....
- British Basketball LeagueBritish Basketball LeagueThe British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
- England national basketball teamEngland national basketball teamThe England national basketball team represents England in international basketball competitions. The team is organized by England Basketball, the sport's governing body in England...
- Scotland national basketball teamScotland national basketball teamThe Scottish national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Scotland in international competition. They are organised by basketballscotland, the sport's governing body in Scotland...
- Wales national basketball teamWales national basketball teamThe Welsh national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Wales in international competition. They are organised by Basketball Wales, the sport's governing body in Wales...