GB will compete in all three age groups - Under-20, Under-18 and Under-16 - for the first time since 2019.
Under-20s Men: Krumesh Patel
Under-20s Women: Chantelle Handy
Under-18s Men: Alan Keane
Under-18s Women: Karen Burton
Under-16s Men: Troy Culley
Under-16s Women: Lee Davie
All six teams will compete in Division B of the European Championships, with tournaments taking place between 7 July and 19 August. Comprehensive preparation programmes have been put in place for each team.
The recruitment of coaches and staff is being undertaken by the Home Country Associations – Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales – on behalf of the British Basketball Federation, with the federation’s Performance Lead, Fiona Pimblett, leading the selection committee.
Pimblett said: “We undertook an extensive process involving Basketball England, Basketball Scotland, Basketball Wales and the BBF, and together we have recruited a fantastic group of people to lead Great Britain this summer.
“There was a high volume of applicants with a great level of expertise and experience, which is testament to the amount of work that goes on within the leagues, clubs, regions and home countries. One of our priorities this summer is to ensure that we provide an international basketball experience of the highest quality to our age group players, and there is no doubt in my mind that this group of people can deliver exactly that.”
The Under-20s return to action this summer for the first time since 2019. The U20 Men will be led by Leicester Riders women’s head coach Krumesh Patel.
Patel has led the Riders to two major finals in the WBBL this season and recently became the first head coach to feature in all five major finals in elite women’s basketball in the UK - the WBBL Cup, Trophy and Play-off Finals as well as the WEABL and BUCS Finals.
“I’m very excited to get going!” Patel said. “With summer just around corner it is great to have this opportunity to be the head coach for GB’s Under-20 Men’s team. We will have an exciting group of talent to call upon this summer and together we’ll be working move in the right direction as soon as possible, with the goal of making sure GB continues to progress on the international stage.”
Great Britain legend Chantelle Handy will lead the Under-20 Women. The Olympian and former GB captain recently retired from international duty after helping Chema Buceta’s side qualify for EuroBasket Women 2023 in Slovenia and Israel.
Handy will be heading into her first major role as a head coach, having joined Caledonia Gladiator as player/assistant coach last summer.
“I am delighted to be leading the Under-20s this summer and look forward to working with the players and staff on board,” Handy said.
“This is a great opportunity for me to give back and share some of my experiences and knowledge as a player, but also take on the challenge of stepping into a head coaching role. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to help develop the youth coming through the GB programme.”
At Under-18 level, GB can call upon the considerable experience of Alan Keane and Karen Burton.
Both have amassed impressive resumes over the years in coaching at international and domestic level and are well known for their prowess in developing talent.
At Under-16 level, Troy Culley retains his role as head coach of the boys’ team, while Lee Davie will lead the girls. Davie comes into the role as one of the most respected coaches in the British game, particularly in women’s basketball, where he has coached and worked with many of today’s elite women’s players at junior level in the past.
Further staffing announcements will be made shortly with information on training camps and preparatory friendlies to follow.
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