GBR - Gordon, Mullens named in preliminary squad

LONDON (Olympics) - Ben Gordon and Byron Mullens haven't worn the Great Britain jersey before but both NBA players have been included in the country's preliminary squad for the London Games.

The London-born and United States-raised Gordon, who plays for the Detroit Pistons, is a former teammate of British superstar Luol Deng in Chicago while Mullens has a United Kingdom passport because his mother hails from England.

In a statement issued by British Basketball, Gordon said: “I am very excited to pull on the GB jersey this summer and play for my country.

“To be invited into camp is the first step in that journey and I am immensely proud to have the opportunity.”

He is averaging 12.2 points per game this season for the Pistons, shooting an impressive 43.7% from behind the arc.

Gordon, 29, played for the United States at the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic but hasn't featured for the USA at a FIBA Americas Championship, World Championship or Olympic Games.

The 2.13m Mullens is a center but spends a lot of time on the perimeter with the Charlotte Bobcats.

The 23-year-old has launched 29 three-pointers this season, making eight.

His minutes have increased as the year has gone on with strugglers Charlotte looking to give experience to their younger players.

Mullens revealed on his Twitter account last month that he would be with the Brits and included a photo of his recently received UK passport.

He tweeted: "Yessir. I will be in London this summer! 2012 Olympics."

Deng, an NBA all-star, and big man Pops Mensah-Bonsu of Turkish outfit Besiktas are the other high-profile names in the team.

The 2.06m Deng is having a terrific season with Chicago, averaging 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.

He is a major reason why the Bulls own the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Their 43-14 mark is two games better than the star-studded Miami Heat.

Mensah-Bonsu has been a statistical giant for Britain the past several years.

In their qualifying campaign for EuroBasket 2011, he averaged 19.3 points and 13.5 rebounds, but a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery last year prevented him from taking part in the Final Round.

Great Britain coach Chris Finch said: “The GB basketball program has come a long way since 2006 and the blend we have now of experienced talent with the younger guys is fantastic to see.  

“We have the potential for a world class team that will surprise a few people this summer.

“The commitment from all our players to the program once again is great and it’s also good to see our strength and depth continuing to increase year on year.”

Britain played at the last two EuroBaskets.

Last year in Lithuania, the two won a couple of games but did not advance from the initial group stage.

Great Britain preliminary squad: Kieron Achara, Ogo Adegboye, Robert Archibald, Eric Boateng, Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Dan Clark, Luol Deng, Joe Freeland, Ben Gordon, Kyle Johnson, Mike Lenzly, Andrew Lawrence, Alex Marctullio, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Byron Mullens, Sullivan Phillips, Nate Reinking, Ryan Richards, Ovie Soko, Andrew Sullivan and Devon Van Oostrum.

FIBA