Women's Eurobasket 2013 Preview

Image copywright of FIBA. Souce: Eurobasket Site.

The Women's Eurobasket tournament starts today with teams from every corner of Europe competing for the Eurobasket crown. France, Russia and Turkey all have good chances to win the tournament but we will as always be focusing on Team GB.

The team will need to give it 100% with a group including the tournament hosts France, Serbia and Latvia.

The betting odds on success for Team GB are slim, with Bet365 giving the team the WORST odds of getting through any group.

But with much determination and a boom in British basketball over the last twelve months, this tournament gives GB basketball the chance to shine.

Here are the list of all the GB players:

Dominique Allen
Rose Anderson
Kimberley Butler
Ella Clark
Stefanie Collins
Stephanie Gandy
Chantelle Handy
Georgia Jones
Johannah Leedham
Azania Stewart
Lauren Thomas-Johnson
Rachael Vanderwal

11 of the 12 players are England national players with one from Scotland (Rose) and will be hoping to progress past the group stages which would be considered success.

Team GB have struggled in the last few tournaments including the Olympics and Eurobasket and will be hoping that success will be forthcoming.

Key Player

Johannah Leedham will be a key player for GB with experience in multiple countries and a rookie contract to a WNBA team in the Connecticut Sun's, Johannah could be pivotal in the Guard/Forward role for a team which will hopefully be able to get a win or two in the tournament.

Comments

ROUTLEDGE: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
I’m Daniel Routledge and for as long as I can remember I’ve been watching British basketball. I’m not quite as old as the league, but its close enough we could be siblings. We pretty much grew up together, I’ve seen the highs and the lows, the false dawns and the unnoticed successes.
Much has been made in recent days about the future of the game in this country, so much so it’s got me thinking about the past.
Whatever your views about the road from here, allow me ten minutes of your time to re-live how we got here.
In the beginning
The first national league of basketball was formed in 1972, in those early days it was a largely amateur pursuit, played out in small sports halls. It was before I was born, but I’ve seen minutes of AGMs where players were reprimanded for not personally selling enough tickets!
By the end of the decade, the structure became a bit more professional and as the 1980s began,the popularity started to boom. …

Worcester Wolves Coach praises British basketball legend Sullivan

Worcester Wolves head coach Paul James has praised former GB captain Drew Sullivan following his retirement from the game.

Sullivan - who made over 100 appearances for his country - announced his decision earlier this year.

He led a team to victory one more time yesterday with London beating the World 89-84 in his testimonial.

Paul James coach of the Worcester Wolves, has come up against Sullivan as a coach a number of times over the years and says he has a lasting legacy on the British game.

James said: "I think he has been phenomenal for the British game, the ultimate professional. I haven't really had the pleasure to work with Drew, but to see the way he handled himself on and off the court, you could see he was very serious about his basketball and his success has happened because of that.

"He's won many championships and for sure he has been a real leader on and off the court, for anybody that has worked with him.

"It's sad to see such a talent like th…

Kendal Johnson wants to ball in the BBL

Kendal Johnson is an American who wants to play in England in a busy week where he is likely to find out where he will be playing and when.

Johnson is the cousin of NBA star Marcus Camby and is looking to be a player/coach in the British Basketball League or English Basketball League.

He admits he doesn't know too much about the current state of British basketball but has heard good things.

He said: 'I've always wanted to go to England but I don't know a lot about the basketball league, I have a friend at the Worcester Wolves and he has told me there is lot's of positives.'

'I've played basketball since I was little obviously having Marcus Camby as a cousin I was always in that sort of environment.'

Johnson revealed he had been in talks with various BBL and EBL clubs and is hoping a move can be agreed in the coming days.

He also thinks that it is important to get young people involved in sport.

He added: 'One thing I would like to say to kids is…

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