IT’S A LOCKOUT! FANS SHUT OUT BY GB

By Mark Woods
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Updated: July 13, 2011

Fans have been snubbed from Great Britain’s two friendlies against Nigeria and the Netherlands next month after British Basketball chiefs announced the games will be played behind closed doors.

The warm-ups, scheduled to be held at the American School in Cobham on August 7 and 9, will be the first two ties ahead of EuroBasket for Chris Finch’s squad.

GB’s only other fixtures on home soil this summer will be at the Olympic Test event in London, where organisers have come under fire for the high ticket prices.

And while several parts of the country have previously expressed an interest in hosting internationals, Cobham – where GB will also hold their training camp – has been granted the right to stage two games which will be seen only by media and team officials, denying supporters a rare chance to see the likes of Luol Deng in action.

“There simply isn’t the capacity at the venue,” confirmed a spokesperson.

Milton Keynes Lions chief Vince Macaulay, whose club has its own venue, led the chorus of disapproval.

“This is a complete shambles,” he said. “We are trying to promote the sport and we hide the crown jewels.”

Future prospects to get chance

GB assistant Nurse will take charge

Several younger players will be handed the chance to force their way into the senior reckoning after being named in the GB Futures squad.

Nick Nurse will take chance of the side which will face Germany’s Under-23 team in three friendlies in Nuremberg on July 22-24. The initial group – which includes senior cap Devan Bailey – is expected to be augmented by a handful of players from the Under-20 line-up.

Head of Performance for British Basketball, Warwick Cann said: “The GB Futures is always an exciting time when we see who of our emerging youth players can step up to the senior level. Last year there were four players who went on to be included in senior squad.

“This year’s programme will be built around a three test series against Germany so the challenge and opportunity will be there for our players to make a statement for the future.”

GB Futures Squad:

NAME	CLUB / UNIVERSITY
Ben Allison	Davidson College, USA
Devan Bailey	Central Connecticut State University, USA
Paul Guede	Portland State University, USA
Kyle Johnson	Long Island University, USA
Andrew Lawrence	College of Charleston, USA
Will Neighbour	University of Arkansas Little Rock, USA
Liam Potter	Leicester Riders, UK
Lester Prosper	SUNY College at Old Westbury, USA
Tyrone Treasure	Bristol Academy Flyers, UK
Shane Walker	Loyola University Maryland, USA