The short version
- Great Britain has assembled a squad including three current or recent NBA players for upcoming EuroBasket preliminary qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovakia.
- Amari Williams and Tosan Evbuomwan are set to make their senior international debuts, capitalizing on a rare window between domestic league seasons.
- Finishing top of the group is essential for GB to advance to full qualifying; failure results in an additional preliminary round next year.
Great Britain’s men’s basketball team has significantly strengthened its roster for the second phase of preliminary qualifying for the 2029 EuroBasket tournament. Under the leadership of Newcastle Eagles head coach Marc Steutel, the national squad now includes three players with recent or current experience in the National Basketball Association. This assembly represents the most talented group available to the federation in some time, marking a strategic shift as the team attempts to secure a spot in the full qualifying rounds.
The core additions include Boston Celtics center Amari Williams and power forward Tobi Lawal, who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this summer. Joining them is forward Tosan Evbuomwan, a 25-year-old who recently joined Barcelona after spending three seasons playing in the NBA and its developmental G-League. Together with OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks, these athletes constitute three-quarters of the most recent British players to compete at the highest professional level in North America.
Securing the availability of these high-profile athletes required precise timing and sustained diplomatic effort by the national team’s management. Previous qualifying windows for the 2027 FIBA World Cup clashed directly with the NBA season, making it nearly impossible to recruit players under contract with American franchises. However, the current international window falls between the conclusion of the European and North American seasons, creating a rare opportunity for player availability that the coaching staff has worked years to realize.
General Manager Dan Clark, who previously competed in the 2012 Olympics alongside Luol Deng, has maintained long-term communication with Williams and Evbuomwan. Steutel emphasized that this success was not a last-minute arrangement but the result of persistent outreach. The general manager’s relationship with the Boston Celtics organization facilitated Williams’ participation, while Evbuomwan’s proximity to Europe with his new club in Barcelona simplified logistics for his inclusion.
Both Williams and Evbuomwan are set to make their senior international debuts during this double-header. They will first face Switzerland on Thursday before returning home to play Slovakia at the Vertu Arena in Newcastle on Sunday. For Evbuomwan, the home game holds particular significance as it takes place at the venue where he previously competed for the Newcastle Eagles youth team. The simultaneous debut of two players who have maintained contact since their university days adds a layer of personal importance to the competitive stakes.
The pathway to the NBA for both athletes began in the United States collegiate system, though their timelines differed slightly. Evbuomwan attended Princeton University starting in 2019, while Williams joined Drexel University a year later. Both players have expressed that representing Great Britain was a long-held goal since relocating to America for their education and professional development. Their return to the national team reflects a broader effort to integrate British-born talent who developed their careers abroad.
The stakes for this qualifying campaign are high. Great Britain must finish at the top of its group to advance directly to the full EuroBasket qualifying rounds. If they fail to secure first place, they will be relegated to a final round of preliminary qualifying scheduled for next year. The presence of NBA-caliber talent aims to provide the competitive edge necessary to navigate this critical juncture in the team’s development.
Coach Steutel noted that while acquiring players during the active season remains difficult due to contractual restrictions, the current window offers a unique advantage. The coaching staff views this roster as a pivotal moment for British basketball, hoping that the visibility and performance of these high-level athletes will inspire further growth in the sport domestically. The upcoming matches serve as both a test of this new strategy and a benchmark for future international campaigns.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Sport↗NBA recruits boost GB bid for EuroBasket success
