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19 February 2026  5 min read

'Trusted figure' - Amin Adamu fired up for Italian test as GB return to Newcastle

It’s a role earned through steady growth and consistency at international level.

With a challenging double-header against one of Europe’s elite nations approaching, with GB facing Italy in Newcastle on February 27 before a return outing on March 2 in Livorno, Adamu knows the scale of the task facing the team, but also the opportunity it presents for the group as qualification continues with all the teams level at 1-1 in the group standings.

“They have to live up to the expectations of being one of the top teams in the world, and for us we’re ready and fired up to compete against high-level talent,” said the London Lions man.

“Playing against a team back-to-back is not always easy, but for us I feel like we’re going into this camp in great spirits and excited to show what we can do against this calibre of opposition.

“I’m excited to be back in Newcastle. I’ve been there a lot as a GB player and with London this season so I know how hyped the crowd can get and how loud that arena can be.

“Newcastle has incredible fans and we can count on them to give us their full support, as well as the fans that travel from all over to come and get behind us, so they’re going to be huge for us in this window.

“We have a huge opportunity ahead of us. Both games really matter, not just for our individual self, but for the programme. Winning these two games is important for the rest of the campaign to help us on our journey to the World Cup and everybody coming into camp has the mindset of knowing how we need to attack this window and the challenge ahead to be successful.”

Amin Adamu, in action at EuroBasket, has become an integral part of the GB set-up. Image: FIBA

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Trusted figure

Now a regular presence in the squad, Adamu’s role within the national team has evolved quickly. Once one of the newer faces in camp, he has become a trusted figure within the group, valued not only for his on-court impact but for his voice and experience around the programme.

“I’ve really enjoyed my journey with the National Team. I’ve seen a lot of growth within myself in that time, and it’s crazy to think how quickly I’ve become one of the more experienced players on the group, being trusted to advise and guide the younger or newer players coming into the group,” he added.

“It wasn’t that long ago I was coming in for my first time with this programme and looking up to the guys like Gabe [Olaseni], Myles [Hesson] and so on, who I still look up to now, but I’ve enjoyed that transition and confidence from knowing I’ve earned my spot on the international level.

“My team-mates put a lot of trust in me to go out there, be myself and it’s great to have that confidence from everybody. Carl [Wheatle] has been a huge help, even though we’re the same age he’s been in the set-up for longer and is captain, having him here to lean on and learn from his experience as well as the others of course has been massive.

“My first window was pretty nerve-wracking, because I used to watch a lot of these guys every window and it was a big change to be in amongst them as teammates, but I soon found my feet, I wasn’t hesitant or anything and now every time the windows come around I can’t wait because I know what to expect and what we have as a group that means we can be successful.”

Back home

That sense of belonging and belief has been built on a journey that began long before senior international basketball - one rooted in a love for the game that developed from childhood into full commitment as a teenager, and has now brought Adamu back home, playing domestically and on the international stage.

“I started playing when I was around four years old, just for fun, and I balanced that with football for a long time – with football actually being the preference at one point, but the love for it fell away and basketball became more important for me, and I’ve never looked back," he added.

“At around 14 years old I totally committed to basketball and that kid would never have dreamed I’d end up in this position, playing for the national team, playing for London domestically and in Europe, it has been an incredible journey but I think that kid would’ve laughed in your face if you’d told him that’s what he was going to go on and do.

“Especially this season, it has been a blessing. I’ve had a fun and comfortable experience at London, in terms of being back at home, getting to play in front of my family and friends every week in my city. Winning the Trophy earlier this month was my first piece of silverware in my career, so that means a huge amount, especially doing it for my hometown team.”

Interview by Jamie Thomas

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