ATHENA on MEMORABLE SUMMER WITH U16 GB TEAM
Athena Thompson proudly declared this summer the most memorable one of her young life.
And for good reason, the Great Britain under-16 star not only guided her side to promotion to FIBA U16 Women’s EuroBasket from its Division B stages but also earned some individual accolades along the way.
The Milton Keynes Breakers product led the tournament in scoring, averaging 22.6 points a game. She also added five rebounds and 2.4 assists to her stat line.
Her performances, which saw her hit 20 points or more in five of GB’s seven games, including a 24-point, six-rebound, and two-steal effort in the third-placed game against Turkiye, was enough to secure her a spot on the All-Tournament team.
“It was 100 percent a memorable experience and definitely one to remember,” Thompson declared.
“The summer as a whole was incredible; I was fortunate enough to train at the under-18 Great Britain camp as well for two weeks, which really helped me in preparation for the under-16 camp and for the Euros, where I feel my basketball IQ really improved.
“Being able to travel the whole summer playing my favourite sport is honestly just an honour and something I’m extremely proud of.”
Great Britain’s promotion to next summer’s FIBA Women’s U16 EuroBasket was thoroughly deserved, not solely due to their on-court performances, where they won five of their seven games.
The first game set the tone, a brutal 105-34 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, where a close first quarter set the tone for GB to hold their counterparts to just 14 points over the following three periods for the win.
It turned out to be Thompson’s standout showing, as she posted 27 points, five rebounds, four assists, and six steals for an efficiency rating of 31.
“All of the things we did as players behind the scenes is just as important as what those on the outside do see,” Thompson revealed.
“Before reaching Euros, one of our goals was to get promoted, and we accomplished that alongside getting better as a player.
“Over the course of the summer, I feel I have developed, and all the coaches I have been around have definitely supported me, and I’m thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had.”
It also began a deadly partnership with Irene Oboavwoduo, as they provided an exciting scoring duo that thrilled the GB fans and terrified the opposition.
Alongside Thompson, Oboavwoduo averaged 20 points in the tournament, but Thompson, ever the mature player with a basketball IQ beyond her age, saw past that and focused on the team.
“Our styles of play compliment each other really well; her dominance when attacking the basket and my ability to shoot the three-ball gave up a lot of scoring opportunities, not just for us, but for our other teammates too,” Thompson explained.
“We have been playing with each other, alongside going against each other, for a couple of years now, and over that time, we’ve picked up how one another plays, so coming together as a dynamic duo allows us to control both ends of the floor and I look forward to playing with her again.”
FAMILY STICK TOGETHER
Thompson’s unforgettable summer was the highlight of a whirlwind last 12 months for the Northampton-based teen.
From enjoying top-flight basketball with the Leicester Riders for the first time to signing with the Breakers and winning the 2023 Basketball England’s National Player of the Year at U16 level.
To top it off, she now heads to the Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut, to continue her studies and develop her game on the women’s team.
It’s a new adventure for Athena, but one that her devoted mother, Kim, father, Michael, and brother, Oscar – who were all in Turkiye for the tournament over the summer – are incredibly proud of her doing.
“Words can’t express how proud as a mother I am of Athena,” Kim said.
“She puts in countless hours practicing, and she does it with a smile and a lot of professionalism. She loves the game of basketball, and we support her in everything she does.
“There are still lessons to be learned and experiences ahead for her, and she knows that her journey is just beginning, but the support network she had in the UK was so helpful, from Milton Keynes Breakers, where she improved every time, to Leicester and now America, I know she’ll fit in there.
“Over the summer, she has certainly relished having coaches mentoring and helping her develop. She’s taken everything on board and shown them her drive to want to be better. It shows how mature she is as a player and person, and it’s the latter of those where I’m most proud.”
Athena added with a smile: “From about the age of seven, my mum was my basketball coach. Even through covid and breaking my leg in three places, the training never stopped. My mum worked me hard.
“So when I joined MK Breakers, I had to adapt to a new coach and a new club; this was a big change and development for me as a player.
“Tony Marmo, my under-16 coach at Milton Keynes, pushed me as a player, and the whole team grew throughout the year.”
And looking ahead, maybe a Great Britain senior call up on the horizon? Athena thinks the opportunity is there but is focused on the moment – not the future.
“I feel I’m prepared to compete with the women; despite being slightly younger, I still want to show my presence and what I’m capable of,” Athena says.
“Over the summer, I feel my game has developed significantly, and as much as getting a senior call-up is something I’m really hoping for, I won’t let the outcome affect me.
“I’m going to stay focused and locked in for what’s ahead of me, and I’m looking forward to my new start in the States.”
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