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FAGBENLE RETURNS AS BUCKLE NAMES 20

Great Britain v CanadaNew Great Britain coach Peter Buckle has named a 20-strong preliminary squad for this summer’s EuroBasket Women’s qualifiers, with 11 of the 12 which went to the second round in France last year returning.

With Kim Butler confirming her retirement, two of GB’s 2012 Olympians in Temi Fagbenle and Jenaya Wade-Frey are included once again with the latter clear of injury and the former available once more after reportedly being held out by Harvard University from EuroBasket 2013.

Former junior caps Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby, Cheridene Green, Erin McGarrachan and Eilidh Simpson are all promoted while 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.

Helen Naylor, who has had a good 2013-14 domestic season in England Basketball’s Division One with Sheffield Hatters, has been invited back to challenge for the small forward position.

The squad will assemble on Sunday 12 May at the University of Worcester to commence for the qualifiers against Belgium, Macedonia and Lithuania. The warm-up schedule has yet to be confirmed with the loss of Lottery funding from UK Sport set to impact on the team’s build-up.

“I’m excited about our squad coming together in May and starting our preparations,” said Buckle, who was assistant last year. “The depth of our programme 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.”

 

First Name Surname Position 2013-14 Club/University 
Dominique Allen C/PF COB Calais, FRA
Rose Anderson G Edinburgh KK, SCO
Ella Clark F Long Beach State University, USA
Stefanie Collins PG Cardiff Archers, WAL
Temitope Fagbenle C Harvard University, USA
Stephanie Gandy F Sheffield Hatters, ENG
Cheridene Green C Sevenoaks Suns, ENG
Chantelle Handy F UMEA, SWE; Nantes, FRA
Nicole How PG Northern Suburbs, AUSR
Georgia Jones PG Loughborough Riders, ENG
Johanna Leedham G Bourges, FRA
Erin McGarrachan F Houston Baptist University, USA
Helen Naylor SF Sheffield Hatters, ENG
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby F Lafayette Leopards, USA
Chantelle Pressley F Argentonnaises Thouras, FRA
Eilidh Simpson PG St. Francis Brooklyn, USA
Azania Stewart C Adelaide Lightning, AUS
Lauren Thomas-Johnson G/SF Sheffield Hatters, ENG
Rachel Vanderwal G/PG University of Limerick, IRL
Jenaya Wade-Frey G Unattached, USA

 

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