GB U20 Women to begin EuroBasket in Miskolc, Hungary

GB U20 Women arrived in Miskolc, Hungary, last week, ahead of their FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket campaign.

Boasting a squad full of promising talent, GB will look to make a statement after their seventh-place finish at last year’s tournament.

Head Coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery brings to her side an elite British basketballing pedigree, having played for GB at the youth and senior levels, and a determination to mould the next generation of British stars.

From her previous experience taking the U23 3x3 Women’s team last summer at the FIBA 3X3 Nations League in Szolnok, Hungary, and Katowice, Poland, and at her current role as Head Coach of the California State Monterey Bay Women’s basketball team, Coach Hopkins-Chery displayed her lead-by-example attitude and dedication to developing the skills of young players.

For me, it’s an exciting role to be part of as it’s not only about us getting better every day and finding ways to improve our players individually and as a unit for GB down the road, but it’s also that last step to be that person that helps these players prepare for the next step.Head Coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery

The coaching staff supporting Coach Hopkins-Chery is as follows:

Assistant Coach - Maise Elston

Assistant Coach - Claire Harper Black

Team Manager - Charlotte Redhead

Physio - Dave Hall

Strength and Conditioning Coach - Mia Samman

The squad available to Coach Hopkins-Chery is teeming with exciting young players, ready to break out on the international stage.

Here is the team selected by GB for the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket:

Kerry McGhee - Caledonia Gladiators

Darcey Woodman - Oaklands Wolves

Olivia Forster - Unattached

Hannah Gray - Loughborough University

Zoe Sharpe - Simon Fraser University (Canada)

Alix McIntosh - Caledonia Gladiators

Elizabeth Archer - American University Eagles (USA)

Louisa Gibbins - Unattached

Felicia Jacobs-Abiola - Temple University Owls (USA)

Debra Wilson-Osuide - CoLA Southwark Pride

Haley Wright - California State University, Long Beach (USA)

Samantha Mullock - Presbyterian College (USA)

5’5” guard Olivia Forster was highlighted by FIBA as one of their ten players to watch at the upcoming EuroBasket competition.

A standout at last year’s edition of the tournament, Forster averaged 10.8 points and four assists per game, showing off her scoring and playmaking abilities. With another year of NCAA basketball under her belt at South Carolina Upstate University, she will prove a handful for defenders this summer.

Haley Wright, currently suiting up for California State University, Long Beach, is another player to look out for.

Wright has had a busy summer, competing for GB at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket in Vilnius, Lithuania, as well as for the U18 GB Women Youth team in Skopje, North Macedonia, at the European Youth Olympic Festival.

Standing 6’2” tall, Wright is a talented centre who will bring extensive international experience to Coach Hopkins-Chery’s side.

Haley Wright will compete in her third international tournament of the summer at the U20 Women's EuroBasket

Samantha Mullock, Felicia Jacobs-Abiola, Zoe Sharpe, and Elizabeth Archer all arrive in Hungary from their college teams across the pond.

Jacobs-Abiola played her freshman college season at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An exciting young forward, Jacobs-Abiola competed in the U16 Women’s EuroBasket where she demonstrated her scoring prowess and tenacious rebounding.

Elizabeth Archer similarly completed her freshman season for the American University Eagles last year, finding her way in a difficult season for the Eagles

Zoe Sharpe is the only player to arrive from Canada, as she committed to Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. The point guard transferred from Tulscum University Pioneers last season.

Kerry McGhee and Alexandra McIntosh play for the Caledonia Gladiators in the WSLB.

Both players combine study with professional basketball as they study at the University of Strathclyde as part of the Gladiators scholarship programme.

Hannah Gray was awarded WEABL play-off finals MVP alongside her club and now country teammate, Louisa Gibbins. She overcame years of setbacks and injuries to score 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists and secure a storybook ending to her high school career.

In her final year in Ipswich, Louisa Gibbins helped lead their senior side to the WNBL National Cup and Division One League Championship and competed in last year’s U20 Women’s EuroBasket.

Hannah Gray and Louisa Gibbins lift WEABL trophy

GB begins their EuroBasket campaign against Ukraine at 7:00 pm (BST) on 2 August. GB will then play Ireland in their second and final Group B fixture at 2:00 pm (BST) on 4 August.

They will need to top their group, or finish second, and with enough points, in order to progress to the Quarter Finals of the competition.

Click below to watch the livestream of GB’s opener with Ukraine.