GB Women’s 2014 Squad Announced

The squad includes a blend of experience from players in the 2013 EuroBasket squad as well as some fresh young talent, all of whom will gather for the first time in training camp at the University of Worcester Arena, early next month.

There are eleven returning players from last year’s successful EuroBasket team with Kim Butler confirming her retirement. Butler’s loss will be offset by the good news that two of GB’s 2012 Olympians in Temi Fagbenle and Jenaya Wade-Frey will return to the squad after missing last year due to injury.

In line with policy of introducing GB futures to the squad, four of GB’s best youth players have been selected including Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby, Cheridene Green, Erin McGarrachan and Eilidh Simpson. Harriet and Cheridene joined the squad last but Cheridene was recovering from injury and Erin was not available to attend camp. Both McGarrachan and Simpson have previously represented GB at under-20 level.

In another sign of depth in the squad, is that one former squad member, Helen Naylor who has had a good 2013-14 domestic season in England Basketball’s Division One (Sheffield Hatters) has been invited back to challenge for the small forward position. New to the squad this year are Nicole How and Chantelle Pressley.

Nichole How started the 2013-14 season with German side Sandhausen in the Bundesliga 2, where she averaged 20.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. She is currently playing with Northern Suburbs in Australia’s Waratah League. Following a successful college career with Eastern Illinois University, Pressley signed her first professional contract this season with French side Argentonnaises Thouras Basket 79 where she averages 12.9 points per game.

The squad will assemble on Sunday, 12 May 2014 to commence their preparations for the summer ahead where they face some tough EuroBasket 2015 Qualifier challenges against Belgium, F.Y.O.R of Macedonia and Lithuania.

GB women’s head coach, Peter Buckle commented on the selection: “I’m excited about our squad coming together in May and starting our preparations. The depth of our program is growing and with that, the competition for all positions is tight. This is both pleasing and tough for our selection panel.

“Our preparation will be short. We need to be ready to play well in our first game against Belgium on Sunday, 8 June at home. We will need to make the most of our time in preparation.”

British Basketball’s National Teams Director Warwick Cann added; “It’s good to have returning Olympians back in the squad. While we will miss Kim Butler, Temi and Jenaya’s return is positive and we have also continued to introduce our young talent, as we need to build our squad depth.

“This provisional squad has very good depth in all positions and I am sure that all players will be challenging, or will be challenged for a position on the final team. This should help the team’s competitiveness.”

Full details of the 20 players in the preliminary squad are:
Name Position Home Nation 2013-14 Club(s)/University Team
Dominique Allen C/PF England COB Calais, FRA
Rose Anderson G Scotland Edinburgh KK, SCO
Ella Clark F England Long Beach State University, USA
Stefanie Collins PG England Cardiff Archers, WAL
Temitope Fagbenle C England Harvard University, USA
Stephanie Gandy F England Sheffield Hatters, ENG
Cheridene Green C England Sevenoaks Suns, ENG
Chantelle Handy F England UMEA, SWE; Nantes, FRA
Nicole How PG England Northern Suburbs, AUS; Sandhausen, GER
Georgia Jones PG England Loughborough Riders, ENG
Johannah Leedham G England Bourges, FRA
Erin McGarrachan F Scotland Houston Baptist University, USA
Helen Naylor SF England Sheffield Hatters, ENG
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby F England Lafayette Leopards, USA
Chantelle Pressley F England Argentonnaises Thouras, FRA
Eilidh Simpson PG England St. Francis Brooklyn, USA
Azania Stewart C England Adelaide Lightning, AUS
Lauren Thomas-Johnson G/SF England Sheffield Hatters, ENG
Rachael Vanderwal G/PG England University of Limerick, IRL
Jenaya Wade-Frey G England Unattached, USA

Story –  British Basketball