Young guns can help fire up GB – Clark, Okereafor
Great Britain’s new young guns can help keep the team firing for their EuroBasket Qualifiers in France next weekend.
That is the view of veterans Dan Clark and Teddy Okereafor – who believe the recent youthful additions to the national team squad will keep the old guard ‘on their toes’ as well.
The likes of 19-year-old Kareem Queeley, Jacob Round (20) and Cameron Hildreth (18) were named in the 24-man squad ahead of the games against France and Montenegro in Pau.
Great Britain are on a strong run of eight wins from ten games going into the double-header – including February’s home victory over Germany – and Clark believes the new faces add to an already confident mix.
“I think it’s great that we’ve found a rhythm and a groove with the group of players we have at the moment,” said the team’s co-captain. “I think the last window was very positive, we all gelled together really well.
“I think the same will happen this time around so I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully we can continue the run and get a couple of big wins.
“I’ve talked about the team spirit and the way the team’s been together for a while. I think we’ve got a great group of guys. This window has also allowed us to bring in a couple more younger guys, some fresh blood, which is always good and keeps the older guys on their toes.
“I’m really excited for the window it’s going to be a great week. I’m sure it will be a great week for British basketball and hopefully we can make everyone proud.”
Okereafor, who has made 45 consecutive national team appearance since his debut against New Zealand in 2015, is keen to continue the GB momentum.
And he welcomes the new blood in the squad, saying: “I feel good about the recent success over the last 10 games. Obviously, the win over Germany was big for our confidence and has given us momentum going into this window.
“I’d attribute our recent success to being locked in and focused on winning. The coaching staff have done a great job of scouting and keeping us prepared, I think having the same core guys helps with chemistry and leadership and then we’re bringing in good talent in the younger guys like Kareem and Jacob.”
GB play France on 27 November and Montenegro on 29 November. Both games tip off at 17:00 GMT. The final 12-man rosters will be confirmed ahead of each game.