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20 February 2026  7 min read

Growing into the moment - Savannah Wilkinson and the journey to belonging with Great Britain

Not when she was a young girl watching Olympic preparations on television.

Not when she was starring at age-group level.

And certainly not now, as the 27-year-old Londoner continues to establish herself as a leader within the Great Britain Women's national team ahead of a decisive EuroBasket 2027 qualifying window.

What stands out when speaking to Wilkinson isn’t just her talent or her experience at a relatively young age - it’s her perspective.

The sense that every step of the journey, including the difficult ones, has shaped how she approaches this moment.

“It’s been surreal,” she said simply ahead of the trio of March games when GB will face Switzerland away and Austria and Norway in Manchester. “Playing for Great Britain at any age is amazing, but to now be doing it at senior level, and to feel like I can really contribute, is very special.”

A dream that started early

Long before senior call-ups and qualification battles, Wilkinson was a young basketball fan with big aspirations.

“I remember watching Olympic preparations when I was so young and thinking ‘one day I’d love to be on that team’,” she recalled. “To now actually be here is absolutely amazing.”

That sense of wonder hasn’t faded with familiarity. If anything, it’s deepened with time.

“I’m just incredibly grateful for the whole experience,” she said. “Every camp, every game - I don’t take any of it lightly.”

Wilkinson’s pathway through the GB system was one marked by responsibility early on. At youth level, she was often a central figure, trusted with major roles and big moments. That continuity made the eventual transition to senior basketball feel like a natural - if not easy - progression.

“I’ve had really positive personal experiences, but also tough times,” she said. “There were moments when I didn’t make final rosters or things like that.”

Those disappointments, she believes, have been just as important as the successes.

“I think they’ve made this moment more special,” Wilkinson explained. “I have so much appreciation for where I’m at now, because I know how hard it is to get here and how easily it can be taken away.”

Learning to lead before being asked

Despite still being early in her senior career, Wilkinson has already emerged as a vocal presence within the group - someone comfortable leading, supporting, and adapting to whatever role is required. That maturity didn’t happen by accident.

“As a kid, I was always playing up age groups and hanging out with older people,” she said. “A lot of that comes from my older sister - I was always around her and her friends.”

Being exposed to older team-mates and environments helped accelerate her development, both on and off the court.

“It forces you to grow up a bit quicker,” she said. “You learn how to communicate, how to carry yourself, and how to listen.”

That foundation was reinforced through her varied experiences with the national team.

“I’ve had every role you can imagine,” Wilkinson explained. “Being picked, not picked. Starting, coming off the bench, not coming off the bench at all and just encouraging from the sidelines.”

Rather than viewing those shifts as setbacks, she sees them as lessons.

“It gives you perspective,” she added. “It makes you appreciate everything, and it helps you understand how to support the team in different ways.”

Her parents, both athletes, also played a major role in shaping that mindset.

“They taught me from a young age to stay humble and keep working,” Wilkinson said. “That mentality has helped me keep going, and it’s something I try to share with others too.”

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A group built on connection

As GB prepare for a crucial qualifying window - with games in Norway and at home in Manchester - Wilkinson believes the strength of this squad lies in its relationships.

“The benefit of our group is that we’re all very close,” she said. “We’re good people.”

That doesn’t mean a lack of competitive edge.

“Everyone has an ego,” she added with a smile. “You can’t be a professional athlete and not have one.”

The difference, she says, is knowing when to assert it and when to put it aside.

“We know when it’s our time to step up, and when it’s our time to support from the bench,” she explained. “That balance is really important.”

It’s why returning to camp always feels special.

“That’s why I’m so excited to come back and see everybody,” Wilkinson said. “I love all the girls.”

Turning adversity into momentum

The last qualification window didn’t unfold exactly as GB had hoped. Three wins were the clear target - but basketball rarely follows a script.

“Of course we wanted three wins in November,” Wilkinson said. “That wasn’t to be.”

Rather than dwelling on disappointment, the group has focused on control.

“We’re still in a good position to finish top of the group,” she added. “We know what we need to do, and it’s in our control.”

Sometimes, she believes, adversity can serve a purpose.

“You need those moments to bring a group even closer together,” Wilkinson reflected. “To extract the best out of everybody.”

A crucial win in Norway last time out has provided a platform to build on.

“Hopefully we can take that momentum and go full steam ahead,” she said. “And get the wins we need to advance.”

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Wilkinson has a close bond with new GB head coach Krumesh Patel

Belief in the man at the helm

This window also marks the first under new head coach Krumesh Patel, a figure Wilkinson knows well.

“I’m ecstatic for Krumesh,” she said. “He deserves it - I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.”

Their relationship goes back years, from age-group basketball to his time as an assistant coach in London, where he and Wilkinson were part of the first British side to win the EuroCup.

“We built a really good connection,” she said. “We bounce off each other well, and we’re very honest.”

When Patel called to share the news of his appointment, Wilkinson’s reaction was immediate.

“I was so happy for him,” she said. “He knows the girls, he knows the situation, and he knows exactly what the task is.”

More than anything, she trusts his competitive edge.

“He’s a winner,” Wilkinson says. “And that’s what we need.”

Still growing, still grateful

Despite her growing influence within the squad, Wilkinson remains grounded in how she views herself.

“I’m still young,” she said. “I’m still learning.”

But she’s also clear about her responsibility.

“I want to lead, to contribute, and to make this team as successful as it can be.”

As GB prepare for another defining stretch of games, Wilkinson’s journey - marked by patience, resilience, and perspective - mirrors the team’s own evolution.

For the young girl who once dreamed of being part of this programme, simply being here is special. For the player she’s become, the work is far from finished - and that might be the most exciting part of all, for her and for Great Britain Basketball alike.

Interview by Jamie Thomas

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