Great Britain Qualify For European Basketball Championship

Craig Costello · 09-18-2008, 03:29 PM

...for the first time. Woo hoo!!

Won 67-63 against the Czech Republic on the road yesterday and as every other game so far in Group D has been won by the home team, we are two games clear at 4-1 with only one game left each.

Squad members you guys might have heard of -

Luol Deng (missed all of warm-ups due to insurance issue, but has played the important games)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (George Washington. Appeared sparingly with Dallas Mavericks in 06/07, spent most of 06-08 in NBA D-League)
Joel Freeland (Drafted late in 1st round of 2006 NBA Draft by Portland, never really been close to NBA. Playing for Gran Canaria in ACB)
Richard Midgley (Cal)

Well done to coach Chris Finch and his men.

mikev · 09-18-2008, 03:37 PM

Deng is a British citizen? I did not realize that.

Craig Costello · 09-18-2008, 04:32 PM

Deng's story goes something like (from memory so sorry if any mistakes) -

Born in Sudan, where father is a member of the government.
Family move to Egypt to escape civil unrest in Sudan. (approx 6 years old)
He and his brothers introduced to basketball by Manute Bol, who is from same region in Sudan.
Family granted political asylum by UK, move to London. (approx 10)
Starts playing basketball seriously. Represents England at junior levels.
Moves to US to attend school to further basketball career, then Duke, then Chicago Bulls.
In 2006/07 Applies for UK citizenship (with at least one of his brothers), which is eventually granted

His Own Bad Self · 09-18-2008, 09:54 PM

Is there a reason Ben Gordon's not also on the team? Wouldn't they want him? He was born in the UK. Or is he not a UK citizen?

Craig Costello · 09-19-2008, 05:04 AM

We have tried to get Gordon for the last 3 years.

Initially he didn't want to commit as he thought he still had a shot at getting in the USA side and he obviously didn't feel compelled to represent GB.

The outlook was more rosy for the 08 season. He was definitely making noises that he would like to play for GB. However, as his contract situation was not sorted, he chose to stay in the US to get his money.

Hopefully, the prospect of playing in Eurobasket will be too much for him to dismiss.

theasfl · 09-20-2008, 09:44 PM

if only you guys could make it in your favorite sport

Craig Costello · 11-08-2008, 10:05 AM

Tough draw for my men.

Group A

FYR Macedonia
Croatia
Israel
Greece

Group B

Russia
Final Qualifier
Germany
Latvia

Group C

Great Britain
Serbia
Spain
Slovenia

Group D

Poland
Turkey
Lithuania
Bulgaria

His Own Bad Self · 11-08-2008, 04:49 PM

Spain AND Serbia? Ugh. Best of luck.

LFC1892 · 11-08-2008, 10:16 PM

LOL, that will be a brief visit to the Euro's.

Craig Costello · 12-03-2008, 03:58 PM

Promising news for the future of GB basketball -

Quote:

Basketball, synchronised swimming, taekwondo, boxing, archery and hockey are the big winners in UK Sport's Olympic 2012 funding programme.

All six have received sizeable increases in their budgets ahead of London, with basketball getting a huge 136% increase, up from £3.7m to £8.7m.

BBC SPORT | Olympics | Sports handed London 2012 budgets

theasfl · 12-04-2008, 02:49 PM

ouch

rudel.dietrich · 12-04-2008, 03:17 PM

With the state of your football team this very well might be the most national enjoyment you get for the next several years!

Craig Costello · 03-01-2009, 05:29 AM

From NBA.com's report of yesterday's Bulls game

"The news wasn't all good for the Bulls, either. X-rays taken on Luol Deng after he left the game revealed a likely stress fracture in his right tibia, and he could miss the rest of the season."

KurtBevacqua · 03-02-2009, 12:50 PM

Do they play basketball in the Commonwealth games? I'm sure England could beat up on Hong Kong and Wales.

canadiancreed · 03-02-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua

Do they play basketball in the Commonwealth games? I'm sure England could beat up on Hong Kong and Wales.

And then get whooped by such powerhouses as Australia and New Zealand.

And to answer your question yes they do. Just introed at the last games actually.

Craig Costello · 03-02-2009, 02:29 PM

Basketball was indeed included for the first time in the 2006 Commonwealths in Melbourne.

England took bronze in both the men's and the women's competitions. The Aussies won both golds and New Zealand won both silvers.

The men beat Barbados and South Africa, but lost to New Zealand by 19. They then lost to Australia by 26 in the semi and beat Nigeria in the bronze medal match. The ladies thrashed Mozambique and India, before losing to the Aussies by 52 (fifty-two) and then to New Zealand by 7 in the semi-final. They also beat Nigeria to claim their medal.

Unfortunately basketball was not included in the bid by Delhi, so it will not be at the 2010 games.

FIBA have announced a Commonwealth Championship which will take place in Delhi in August 2010, so sort of coincides with the Commonwealth Games, but confusingly it is a men only tournament. The women's version is due for 2012 at the same time as the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Skipaway · 03-02-2009, 03:10 PM

Hong Kong isn't in the Commonwealth anymore.

KurtBevacqua · 03-03-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Hong Kong isn't in the Commonwealth anymore.

Damn, England just lost another win.

Skipaway · 03-03-2009, 06:10 PM

There were just 8 slots in the Commonwealth Game basketball competition last time. I don't think that would increase much in potential future events, so Hong Kong and Wales might never get a slot anyway.

Craig Costello · 07-27-2009, 06:45 AM

The worst fears of the basketball nation have been confirmed - British Basketball News.

Quote:

Whilst there are notable returns for Scotland's Robert Archibald and a fully fit Andy Betts, the squad will be without Luol Deng as he continues his rehabilitation.

09-18-2008, 03:29 PM	#1
Craig Costello Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	Great Britain Qualify For European Basketball Championship ...for the first time. Woo hoo!! Won 67-63 against the Czech Republic on the road yesterday and as every other game so far in Group D has been won by the home team, we are two games clear at 4-1 with only one game left each. Squad members you guys might have heard of - Luol Deng (missed all of warm-ups due to insurance issue, but has played the important games) Pops Mensah-Bonsu (George Washington. Appeared sparingly with Dallas Mavericks in 06/07, spent most of 06-08 in NBA D-League) Joel Freeland (Drafted late in 1st round of 2006 NBA Draft by Portland, never really been close to NBA. Playing for Gran Canaria in ACB) Richard Midgley (Cal) Well done to coach Chris Finch and his men.

09-18-2008, 03:37 PM	#2
mikev Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,014	Deng is a British citizen? I did not realize that. __________________ Global Unified Baseball Association - Vice Commish and Oakland Oaks GM

09-20-2008, 09:44 PM	#6
theasfl Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Coral Springs, FL or Orlando, FL (UCF) Posts: 7,988	if only you guys could make it in your favorite sport __________________ All-Sports Fantasy League The ASFL 22 different games, 9 sports. Please check out the website (www.theasfl.com/asfl2/). The league is free- if you're interested please fill out the signup form and/or email the commissioner. Miami Talons (ABL): 2004, 2005 & 2008 Champs

11-08-2008, 10:05 AM	#7
Craig Costello Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	Tough draw for my men. Group A FYR Macedonia Croatia Israel Greece Group B Russia Final Qualifier Germany Latvia Group C Great Britain Serbia Spain Slovenia Group D Poland Turkey Lithuania Bulgaria Last edited by Craig Costello; 11-09-2008 at 05:09 AM.

12-04-2008, 02:49 PM	#11
theasfl Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Coral Springs, FL or Orlando, FL (UCF) Posts: 7,988	ouch __________________ All-Sports Fantasy League The ASFL 22 different games, 9 sports. Please check out the website (www.theasfl.com/asfl2/). The league is free- if you're interested please fill out the signup form and/or email the commissioner. Miami Talons (ABL): 2004, 2005 & 2008 Champs

09-18-2008, 04:32 PM	#3
Craig Costello Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	Deng's story goes something like (from memory so sorry if any mistakes) - Born in Sudan, where father is a member of the government. Family move to Egypt to escape civil unrest in Sudan. (approx 6 years old) He and his brothers introduced to basketball by Manute Bol, who is from same region in Sudan. Family granted political asylum by UK, move to London. (approx 10) Starts playing basketball seriously. Represents England at junior levels. Moves to US to attend school to further basketball career, then Duke, then Chicago Bulls. In 2006/07 Applies for UK citizenship (with at least one of his brothers), which is eventually granted

09-18-2008, 09:54 PM	#4
His Own Bad Self All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,221	Is there a reason Ben Gordon's not also on the team? Wouldn't they want him? He was born in the UK. Or is he not a UK citizen?

09-19-2008, 05:04 AM	#5
Craig Costello Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	We have tried to get Gordon for the last 3 years. Initially he didn't want to commit as he thought he still had a shot at getting in the USA side and he obviously didn't feel compelled to represent GB. The outlook was more rosy for the 08 season. He was definitely making noises that he would like to play for GB. However, as his contract situation was not sorted, he chose to stay in the US to get his money. Hopefully, the prospect of playing in Eurobasket will be too much for him to dismiss.

11-08-2008, 04:49 PM	#8
His Own Bad Self All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,221	Spain AND Serbia? Ugh. Best of luck.

11-08-2008, 10:16 PM	#9
LFC1892 All Star Reserve Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Global Posts: 963	LOL, that will be a brief visit to the Euro's.

12-04-2008, 03:17 PM	#12
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	With the state of your football team this very well might be the most national enjoyment you get for the next several years!

03-01-2009, 05:29 AM	#13
Craig Costello Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	Nooooooooooo From NBA.com's report of yesterday's Bulls game "The news wasn't all good for the Bulls, either. X-rays taken on Luol Deng after he left the game revealed a likely stress fracture in his right tibia, and he could miss the rest of the season."

03-02-2009, 12:50 PM	#14
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	Do they play basketball in the Commonwealth games? I'm sure England could beat up on Hong Kong and Wales. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

03-02-2009, 02:29 PM	#16
Craig Costello Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	Basketball was indeed included for the first time in the 2006 Commonwealths in Melbourne. England took bronze in both the men's and the women's competitions. The Aussies won both golds and New Zealand won both silvers. The men beat Barbados and South Africa, but lost to New Zealand by 19. They then lost to Australia by 26 in the semi and beat Nigeria in the bronze medal match. The ladies thrashed Mozambique and India, before losing to the Aussies by 52 (fifty-two) and then to New Zealand by 7 in the semi-final. They also beat Nigeria to claim their medal. Unfortunately basketball was not included in the bid by Delhi, so it will not be at the 2010 games. FIBA have announced a Commonwealth Championship which will take place in Delhi in August 2010, so sort of coincides with the Commonwealth Games, but confusingly it is a men only tournament. The women's version is due for 2012 at the same time as the Olympic qualifying tournament.

03-02-2009, 03:10 PM	#17
Skipaway Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Where you live Posts: 11,017	Hong Kong isn't in the Commonwealth anymore. __________________ Jonathan Haidt: Moral reasoning is really just a servant masquerading as a high priest.

03-03-2009, 06:10 PM	#19
Skipaway Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Where you live Posts: 11,017	There were just 8 slots in the Commonwealth Game basketball competition last time. I don't think that would increase much in potential future events, so Hong Kong and Wales might never get a slot anyway. __________________ Jonathan Haidt: Moral reasoning is really just a servant masquerading as a high priest.