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. …

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…

Johnson bringing HoopsAid the American Dream Team.

Kendal Johnson recently spoke to us about the possibility of playing in England and while he may not be playing full-time he is set to play at least one game.

Johnson will be representing America at HoopsAid, a charity basketball match in the style of soccer aid - featuring players, celebrities and in this case battle back players.

Kendal is looking forward to the opportunity to compete in the Copper Box with some of the stars Britain and HoopsAid have to offer.

He said: 'This HoopsAid event is going to be very exciting, this will be my first time in London and I'm nervous and exciting at the same time, I'm just ready to play.'

'Giving back to the community is very important to me and I think HoopsAid gives my the opportunity which is good for me and good for them.'

'I'm excited to be playing in the Copper Box arena, It's where they had some of the Olympics so I'm looking forward to that.'

Johnson won't be taking it lightly and will be t…

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