GB are joined in Group G of qualifying by their two opponents for this window and Estonia, with the eventual group winners automatically going through to the final tournament in Israel and Slovenia next summer, and the four best second-placed teams in the 10 qualifying groups also progressing.
The roster comprises ever-present veterans who are at the core of Coach Buceta’s philosophy for the team, as well as a new generation of elite talent who are in the early stages of their international careers, as well as two potential international debutants.
Twelve of the 15 players named compete on home soil in the Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL), with six of those representing the London Lions in EuroCup Women’s action, with further representation from the Caledonia Gladiators, Leicester Riders, Sevenoaks Suns and Sheffield Hatters.
Kristine Anigwe and Temi Fagbenle are the only two players selected currently plying their trade overseas and, if selected for the final 12-player rosters for either game, Caledonia Gladiators’ Erin Jones and Leicester Riders’ Kirsty Brown would earn their first senior caps.
“'They can because they think they can'. This quote from Virgil, the Roman poet, must be our motto for this window. We need to win these two games to keep our chances to qualify, and the first step is to believe we can do it.
“Then, we will need to function as a team, leaving any ego at home, and do our best, which I am sure our players will do. Portugal has improved a lot and has had camps and preparation games during the summer to get ready for this window, and Greece has a team with large international experience.
“Both games will be tough. We will need to respect both, play good defence, be wise and brave in offense and be ready to keep focus all game. After one year without activity, I am looking forward to seeing our team in action with the 'positive glasses' on, fighting for GB to achieve this challenge.”
Great Britain face Portugal and Greece on 24 November and 27 November respectively away from home and both games will be available to watch for free on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
|
Name |
Position |
Age |
Height |
Club (2022-23) |
|
Kristine Anigwe |
F |
25 |
6'4" |
Passalacqua Spedizioni Ragusa (ITA) |
|
Shanice Beckford-Norton |
G |
25 |
5'8" |
London Lions (GBR) |
|
Kirsty Brown |
F |
23 |
6'3" |
Leicester Riders (GBR) |
|
Chantel Charles |
F |
28 |
5'10" |
London Lions (GBR) |
|
Temi Fagbenle |
F |
30 |
6'4" |
CBK Mersin (TUR) |
|
Georgia Gayle |
G |
25 |
5'9" |
Sheffield Hatters (GBR) |
|
Chantelle Handy |
F |
35 |
6'2" |
Caledonia Gladiators (GBR) |
|
Erin Jones |
G |
24 |
6'1" |
Caledonia Gladiators (GBR) |
|
Shequila Joseph |
F/C |
27 |
6'3" |
London Lions (GBR) |
|
Kennedy Leonard |
G |
26 |
5'8" |
London Lions (GBR) |
|
Janice Monakana |
F |
27 |
6'0" |
Sevenoaks Suns (GBR) |
|
Hannah Robb |
G |
24 |
5'9" |
Leicester Riders (GBR) |
|
Eilidh Simpson |
G |
30 |
5'7" |
Free Agent |
|
Azania Stewart |
C |
33 |
6'5" |
London Lions (GBR) |
|
Holly Winterburn |
G |
22 |
5'11" |
London Lions (GBR) |
Coaching Staff:
Chema Buceta – Head Coach
Stef Collins – Assistant Coach
Vanessa Ellis – Assistant Coach
Performance Staff:
Mark Lloyd – Team Manager / Head of Delegation
Peter Thain – Physiotherapist
Ross Knevett – Sports Therapist
Karen Barclay – Team Doctor
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