MONTANANA WANTS GB TO ENJOY THE MOMENT IN KIGALI
Great Britain women’s coach Anna Montañana wants her team to enjoy the process game by game ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, starting Monday, August 19.
Housed in Group D, GB will start their maiden World Cup Qualifying voyage against Argentina, followed by Lebanon on Wednesday and the hosts Rwanda on Thursday.
With the top two of each group of four advancing to the semi-finals and the victor of the two finals booking their ticket to the qualifiers ahead of next year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, the Brits stand a great chance of advancing to their first-ever showpiece.
They start Group D as the highest-ranked side in the group (21), with Argentina placed 31. Lebanon is 20 places below the South American side, with Rwanda the lowest-positioned nation at 74.
“We are excited to start competing as a team,” Montañana said. “Our goal is to grow and to keep establishing what we are working for. We will progress game by game.”
Still new to the role as head coach, the Spanish play-caller has been working hard to find the right system, the best rotations, and how to get the most out of each player ahead of Monday’s opener.
“I’m adjusting to many new things and taking it step by step,” she admits.
“Many of the staff are also new in their roles, and we also have young new players. It’s all about enjoying the process while we try to build our identity.”
A competitive Subway® Summer Slam series clash against Germany followed a ten-day training camp in Manchester clash, during which Montañana saw tremendous promise in the squad in London.
So much so, that she has picked nine players that played against the Germans in the FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup Qualifying team.
“We want players that are proud and excited to wear the GB jersey every time they step on the court,” the Spaniard said.
“This is our first time competing, and obviously, it’s special, but I also want to frame it as part of the process to reach where we want to be.
“As with all new beginnings, we needed to focus on building our mentality and basics as a team. The players did a great job adjusting to everything and put in maximum effort in practices and at the game.”
Spirits are high, and there is a lot of excitement as the road to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup gets real. British Basketball Chair Chris Grant is just one of those looking forward to the event in the Rwandan capital.
“This tournament is the first step on a road that could take us all the way to Germany 2026,” Grant said.
“Whatever happens in Kigali, British Basketball is on the up. We’re rooting for this exciting young GB team, and we’re grateful to Anna, Mark, and the staff for their brilliant contribution as we work to raise standards on and off the court.”
THE OPPOSITION
GB opens their campaign against Argentina with the team fully prepared for what the South American side has to offer.
They will be wary of influential point guard Melisa Gretter, a mainstay of the national team since 2011.
The veteran controls the offence and despite being 5’6′, is a defensive menace as well.
At last year’s FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, she averaged 7.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, leading the way in the latter two. She was Argentina’s overall top performer for efficiency at 13.2.
However, Argentina’s leading scorer at the tournament, Andrea Boquete (14.2ppg), will be absent in Rwanda.
In what could be a pivotal second game for Great Britain, Lebanon is an unknown quantity for Montañana’s side, but they boast two standout players.
Rebecca Akl will be the offensive lynchpin for the nation, and when she finds her rhythm, it will be hard to contain her.
Trinity Baptiste will be dangerous inside, and she finds herself going to the line a lot, too. She led Lebanon in scoring at last summer’s FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, averaging 12.8 points.
Delving further into the unknown, GB will face the hosts Rwanda in their final Group D game.
But one player that Great Britain will know and watch closely will be local hero Bella Murekatete, the first Rwandan to play NCAA Division 1 basketball.
The 6’1″ center will undoubtedly be the main scoring threat for the East African side; however, Rwanda has other threats, too.
Murekatete sat out last year’s FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Kigali, which allowed Destiney Philoxy to lead the team in scoring with 17.4 points a contest in their historic semi-final finish.
She is a consistent scorer, and alongside stat-stuffer Hope Butera, the host nation will be a danger to any team they face.
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