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CON-AIR READY FOR TAKE OFF

Conner Washington believes he can make an instant impression on his Great Britain debut.

The Leicester Riders guard, who has been part of a number of squads in the past, will win his first game in Thursday’s EuroBasket pre-qualifier against Cyprus in Manchester.

It is a much-changed line-up from the one which defeated the Cypriots 75-61 in December.

But Washington’s form in the BBL made him an obvious recruit, even if the move caught him by surprise.

“It’s a privilege to get called up – there so many players who could be here, but it’s been nice to come in and join the guys,” he said.

“I was in practice, I can’t remember which day it was, but I walked into practice and Coach said ‘You’re on GB’s radar’. I just said ‘Really?’ as it wasn’t confirmed then as nobody had approached me and it was the first I’d heard.

“It was still a nice feeling, then it was confirmed and our General Manager told me and after that I was buzzing! It’s the first time I’ve been here as part of the final 12 so it’ll be nice to get my first cap and get on the floor.”

Alberto Lorenzo’s men must win the contest and then beat Austria by 15 on Sunday to automatically reach the next round, or face a sudden death summer qualifying round with Kosovo and Luxembourg among their possible foes.

And with Justin Robinson and Ogo Adegboye’s absences leaving a void as the back-up playmaker, Washington will be handed an instant role.

“I’ll do the same thing I do for the Riders I’d say,” he said. “I’ll play my game, I’m a high energy, high intensity player. I like to defend, just do the best to facilitate and score if I get open.

“I think this will keep me in a rhythm for sure. There’s a buzz from being around these guys and being called up to represent your country is a privilege in itself, so I’ll just take that back to Leicester and be on a high to continue being a leader for my team when I get back.”

Watch the game live via MVP247.com on Thursday.

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