OLASENI LOOKS TO PASS DOWN HIS WISDOM

After the final buzzer sounded in Den Haag, Gabe Olaseni celebrated with his jubilant Great Britain team-mates upon qualifying for FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

But as he entered the post-game press conference, his mood switched to that of reflection.

This will mark Olaseni’s third EuroBasket and GB’s sixth overall, and as he began his opening statements, his pride and happiness poured out with every word.

He thought back to his first EuroBasket tournament in 2017 and how he was the new kid on the block – still pinching himself to see if he was wearing the Great Britain jersey for real.

Olaseni almost doubted himself, but three individuals stood by him, mentored and guided him through the process.

Now, as he – and all of Great Britain – can look forward to this summer, the 33-year-old Londoner can pass down what he learned from these three to the current crop at EuroBasket.

“I remember my first year of [EuroBasket] in 2017, and it honestly gave me a new sense of confidence, competing against some of the best players in the world, holding your own,” Olaseni said.

“And understanding that the only thing between you and success is the hard work you put in. When I first came here, there were so many guys who helped me – Dan Clark, Kieran Achara, Eric Boateng and they always showed up.

“They always gave me confidence. They always told me I was a good player, and I didn’t really believe it until they did.

“Coming to this program when I was so young and at that rough stage in my career, those three guys definitely instilled the confidence in me that I can be a good player, and that’s why I continue to show up for this program because if I can give even a fraction of the confidence in these young guys that they gave me, I’ll be happy.

“This program is heading in the right direction, along with the infusion of talent of the young guys. We have so many young guys, Quinn Ellis, Amin [Adamu], he’s not young, but Acquasi [Yeboah], just guys who are going to experience their first year of [EuroBasket]. I think it’s career-changing.”

A true sign of a good leader who believes in the system he’s working for. In the 73-69 win over the Netherlands on Friday night, in front of a passionate Dutch following inside a relatively intimate venue where the noise can be heard, Olaseni and GB drowned them out.

Olaseni let his game make the most racket. Securing his double-double early in the third quarter, ending with 18 points and 14 rebounds in a high-stakes battle where both teams had so much riding on the result.

“Regardless of what situation you’re in, regardless of calls going your way or not, we don’t make excuses, and we keep fighting,” Olaseni said.

And fight GB did. Sure, it wasn’t pretty and free-flowing how basketball fans like it. Instead, it was gritty, hard-fought. GB, and indeed the Netherlands, put their heart, soul, and passion into this crunch game.

Great Britain simply wanted it more.

CELEBRATION ON TYNESIDE

Monday’s game against Czechia in Newcastle will be a game of celebration – a first look at the heroes that qualified for FIBA EuroBasket. Head coach Marc Steutel, as always is the case with a head coach as professional and meticulous as him, will be looking for a win.

He also returns to his home floor, where he leads the Newcastle Eagles domestically, and despite his careful approach to every game, even he will break out a smile or two as the locals cheer him and his team on.

Plus, if you delve a little bit, GB does have unfinished business with the Czechs. The last time the two sides met, back in February of last year, Sacha Killeya-Jones’ 19 points and nine rebounds were not enough, as Czechia came away with a 90-82 win.

Finishing the qualifiers strong will be the priority on Monday night. A win will give them second place in Group F and a 4-2 record; lose and possibly third place along with a 3-3 mark.

When it comes to the EuroBasket draw on 27 March in Riga, Latvia, the group record won’t matter; it’s about where you rank. But after their displays throughout the last 12 months, GB will be up for any challenge.