Fagbenle back to boost Great Britain
LONDON (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - Great Britain's hopes of reaching FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 have been handed a boost after WNBA draftee Temi Fagbenle was named in a 23-strong squad.
LONDON (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - Great Britain's hopes of reaching FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 have been handed a boost after WNBA draftee Temi Fagbenle was named in a 23-strong preliminary squad for next month's final qualifiers window.
After missing the first two windows of the campaign while Stateside, Great Britain look like they will be able to utilise their powerhouse in the paint for what is a must-win Group C game against Italy next month.
Fagbenle was the leading rebounder for her country at EuroBasket Women 2015 with 6.5 boards per game and also added 11.5 points per outing which contributed to her being snapped up by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2016 WNBA Draft.
| Great Britain 23-player preliminary squad for FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers | |||
| Dominique Allen | Rheanne Bailey | Stef Collins | Ella Clark |
| Mollie Campbell | Temi Fagbenle | Christina Gaskin | Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee |
| Georgia Gayle | Chantelle Handy | Deanne Hayward | Abigail Johnson |
| Georgia Jones | Johannah Laeedham | Erin McGarrachan | Helen Naylor |
| Kyla Nelson | Gabriele Nikitinaite | Eilidh Simpson | Azania Stewart |
| Jamila Thompson | Rachael Vanderwal | Savannah Wilkinson | |
There was also a positive lift for the domestic game in the UK after almost two thirds of the squad named by head coach Jose Maria 'Chema' Buceta was made up of players based in the Women’s British Basketball League.
ALERT: Stand up and take a bow! Yes, every one of the SIXTEEN of the finest in #theWBBL who make @gbbasketball squad https://t.co/zJFXLo95v5 pic.twitter.com/nmnHDhppYw
— WBBL (@WBBLofficial) October 17, 2016
The domestic contingent includes Great Britain's most capped player in point guard, Stef Collins - as well as a number of exciting young talents who participated at the FIBA U20 European Women's Championship Division B in Montenegro such as Savannah Wilkinson.
However, Great Britain's attempt to sneak a place at what would be an impressive fourth consecutive Final Round is likely to be spearheaded by EuroLeague Women star and Tango Bourges Basket captain, Johannah Leedham.
She will also be joined by a number of other European-based players including the likes of fellow Olympians Chantelle Handy of Piestanske Cajky and Rachael Vanderwal who plays in Liga Femenina at Mann Filter Zaragoza and top scored for the Brits at EuroBasket Women 2015 with 12.8 points per game.
Great Britain are currently in third spot in Group C and after facing Italy, will wrap up their campaign with a game in Albania.
FIBA