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18 February 2026  7 min read

Breaking new ground - Krumesh Patel on leadership, identity and opportunity

It was the culmination of years spent learning, listening and progressing through every layer of the British basketball pathway - and the beginning of a new chapter for a programme preparing to take its next step on the European stage.

Patel will lead GB into their opening EuroBasket 2027 qualifying window in March, beginning with a challenging away trip to Switzerland in Fribourg, before returning home to face Austria and Norway in Manchester.

It will be his first competitive window as head coach - but one he approaches with a deep sense of perspective.

Krumesh Patel has moved along the national team pathway 

A moment years in the making

“To be national team head coach is something that I’ve always wanted and worked towards,” Patel said, who stepped up from assistant coach to lead the team following the departure earlier this month of Stella Kaltsidou. 

“It was a surreal moment really when it settled in, even given the circumstances, to realise that I’ve achieved this. It’s a great privilege, and when I’m asked how I feel about it I still don’t have the words to do it justice.”

That sense of fulfilment is rooted in a journey that began in Leicester, where Patel first picked up a basketball with the Cannons. Under the guidance of Mandy Pollard, his future direction soon became clear.

“She recognised early on that while I was a solid player, I might have an even brighter future in coaching.”

Qualifications followed quickly, both in coaching and officiating, and by the age of 19 he was already leading the Cannons’ U18s - an early responsibility that shaped his understanding of leadership.

University took him to Leeds Beckett, where he combined his studies with a scholarship as a player-coach, continuing to blur the lines between development and direction. After graduating, Patel joined the Leicester Riders as a community coach, but the scarcity of elite-level opportunities at the time led him to consider a career in teaching.

Before that transition could happen, however, an unpaid assistant role at Loughborough changed everything. What began as a leap of faith evolved into a paid position and eventually a Head of Academy role, firmly embedding Patel within the elite coaching landscape.

Learning the pathway, box by box

Patel’s national team journey mirrors that steady progression. His first international coaching experience came with the GB U20 Women, working on veteran coach Jeff Jones’ staff.

“That was a fantastic opportunity to observe somebody of his experience at that level,” Patel explained.

“Holly Winterburn, Savannah Wilkinson and Hannah Robb were also in that group, so it’s a nice full-circle moment to be back with them now at this point.”

Since then, Patel has worked across men’s and women’s junior national teams, achieved success at age-group level on both sides of the game, and coached extensively in 3x3 across multiple age categories. Each experience added another layer to his understanding of the international environment.

“It feels like I’ve ticked every box and taken every possible opportunity there is within the pathway,” he said.

“That gives me confidence stepping into this role, because I’ve seen the system from so many different angles.”

One philosophy, whatever the jersey

Despite his experience across genders, Patel is clear that his core coaching approach remains constant.

“Whether I’m coaching men’s or women’s teams, I approach the task exactly the same way,” he said.

“I want to talk to my players and my staff, understand how they’re feeling about what we’re doing, and be willing to adapt all the way through the process.”

He acknowledges the stylistic differences between the men’s and women’s games - with men’s basketball often leaning more heavily on athleticism and above-the-rim play, and women’s basketball emphasising solutions, spacing and tactical detail - but sees value flowing in both directions.

“I’d like to think that quality is something people who’ve worked with me place value in,” Patel added.

“Communication matters. I want players to feel comfortable asking questions, understanding why we do things, and having the tools they need to succeed.”

That emphasis on dialogue and clarity will be vital in the international setting, where preparation time is limited and trust must be built quickly.

Patel on 3x3 duty with the GB Women's team

Breaking new ground

Patel’s appointment also carries significance beyond the court. As a British-Asian coach operating at the highest level of the sport, he understands the importance of visibility and representation.

“I don’t see many British-Asians coaching in sport at the highest level, let alone basketball,” he said.

“So if I can push and inspire, I want to do that. I want people from British-Asian backgrounds to look at this story and think it is possible.”

Growing up in Leicester and attending Rushey Mead - a predominantly Asian school - Patel was encouraged to explore multiple sports by teachers who recognised his ability. Basketball, however, was unfamiliar territory.

“I didn’t have anybody I could look up to in that regard,” he explained. “In Asian culture, there’s a lot of reassurance in careers like business or medicine because there are so many examples of people who’ve done it well. Sport is different.”

Support from friends, family and teachers helped him persist, even when the path felt uncertain. Now, he hopes his story can serve as proof that elite sport is a viable ambition.

“My friends and family are incredibly supportive,” he said.

“They believed I’d play, but not necessarily that I’d make it. To hear that what I’ve done is inspiring for them makes me realise the impact this can have on others.”

The GB Women return to Manchester for a double header in March

Eyes firmly on March

For all the reflection, Patel is keenly focused on the challenge ahead. Great Britain enter the upcoming qualifying window knowing progress is required, but with belief building inside the group.

“We have a significant challenge ahead of us,” he said. “The last window was solid, morale in camp was great, and although we slipped up against Austria we’ve learned lessons from that.”

The opening trip to Switzerland will test the squad early, but Patel senses hunger and accountability among the players.

“We’re optimistic,” he added.

“We have a game-plan and an approach for this window that we feel will stand us in good stead. Behind the scenes, we’re putting the building blocks in place to give the girls the best possible chance to be successful in all three games.”

For a coach who has built his career patiently, one step at a time, this first window represents both an arrival and an opportunity - to lead, to inspire and to continue breaking new ground.

Interview by Jamie Thomas

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