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NBA Recruits Boost Great Britain's EuroBasket Qualifying Bid

Great Britain's men's basketball team has added three current, former, and future NBA players to their squad for the upcoming EuroBasket qualifying double-header.

  • Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams and Dallas Mavericks draft pick Tobi Lawal are in the squad.
  • Forward Tosan Evbuomwan, who recently joined Barcelona after three NBA seasons, is also included.
  • The timing between NBA seasons allowed these players to join the GB squad for the double-header.

Great Britain's men's basketball team has strengthened its squad with three players who have current, recent, or future ties to the NBA for their EuroBasket qualifying double-header this week. The team, coached by Newcastle Eagles head coach Marc Steutel, is aiming to progress into the full qualifying rounds for the 2029 EuroBasket campaign.

The additions include Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams and power forward Tobi Lawal, who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks this summer. Tosan Evbuomwan, a 25-year-old forward who joined Barcelona after three seasons in the NBA and its G-League, also features in what is described as the strongest GB squad in some time.

Steutel noted that securing these players was due to the timing of the international window, which falls between NBA seasons. This allowed for communication with their clubs, with both the Boston Celtics and Barcelona reportedly supportive of their players joining the national team. Williams and Evbuomwan are set to make their senior GB debuts, with Evbuomwan's home game against Slovakia in Newcastle offering a homecoming.

Great Britain will face Switzerland and Slovakia in home and away matches across three international windows in August, November, and February. Finishing top of their group would see them enter full qualifying for EuroBasket 2029.

Why this matters: The inclusion of NBA-affiliated players could significantly enhance Great Britain's chances of progressing in the 2029 EuroBasket qualifying rounds, potentially raising the profile of British basketball.

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