BBF BRING EXCITING TRIO OF COACHES FOR GB YOUTH TEAMS

The British Basketball Federation (BBF) is delighted to announce the addition of three new head coaches to the Great Britain youth sides ahead of next summer’s FIBA Youth EuroBasket tournaments.

Liam Jefferson will take the reigns as head coach of the U16 men’s team, with Goran Lojo leading the U18 men’s side.

Sarah Hopkins-Chery completes the trio, as she will take charge of the U20 women’s side.

Donnie MacDonald (U16W) and Krumesh Petel (U18W) retain their places ahead of next summer, with Alan Keane shifting from the U18 men’s side to the U20 men’s outfit.

Jefferson has more than a decade of coaching experience, starting as an assistant coach at the Loughborough Riders before moving to the London Lions Youth Academy.

In between his domestic duties, Jefferson was an assistant coach to Patel’s U20 men’s side in 2023 and is the current head coach of the Oaklands Wolves, which play in Basketball England’s National Basketball League, Division 3.

Bosnian tactician Lojo joins the Great Britain youth set-up after serving as head coach of the Uganda national women’s team. He is currently the head coach of the BG Göttingen U19 men’s side in Germany.

Lojo previously led the Bosnia & Herzegovina women’s side from 2017 to 2023. He guided the Bosnia & Herzegovina women’s side to fifth place at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021.

A year later, he guided the Bosnians to the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, where they finished 12th in Australia.

Hopkins-Chery resumes her role with Great Britain, only this time leading the U20 women’s team. She previously led the women’s U23 3X3 side earlier in the summer.

A former England U16, U20, and Senior player, she has made a smooth transition into coaching and is currently the women’s head coach of Cal State Monterey, where GB Youth international Ella Doherty also plays.

Goran Lojo on his appointment as Great Britain U18 men’s head coach: “I’m super excited about the new role, coaching GB U18 men’s national team. I’ll put all my experience and energy into making this team as best as possible, looking forward to start.”

Liam Jefferson said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed as head coach for the U16 men’s programme and one that I don’t take lightly. The work of the federation over the last couple of years make it an extremely exciting time to be involved and I hope to play a small part in continuing the momentum.

“We have a really intriguing group of players within this age group and I can’t wait to work with them, starting with the combine in January.”

Sarah Hopkins-Chery said: “I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead the GB U20 Women. It’s always an honour to be part of the GB program, especially given the current leadership and continued growth within our youth setup.

“There are many exciting developments underway, with a new generation of talented players emerging.  I’m looking forward to seeing these players develop from youth to senior levels and being a part of their journey.”