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7 July 2026  5 min read

'Thank you, GB': Gabe Olaseni reflects on a decade of pride as national team career comes to an end

A fierce competitor, a relentless presence on and off the court and a leader whose influence has extended far beyond the box score, Olaseni has represented Great Britain with distinction across World Cup and EuroBasket qualifying campaigns, major international tournaments and countless memorable nights in a GB jersey.

On Sunday, against Iceland in Manchester, that chapter came to an end.

After a decade of international service, the 33-year-old has announced his retirement from the national team, bringing the curtain down on a journey that has shaped not only his basketball career, but his life.

"It wasn't an easy decision," Olaseni admitted.

 

 

 

 

 

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"But just talking with my family, friends and teammates, it just felt like it was the right time to step away. It's been 10 years, a nice round number. I've put in an honest day's work and I feel like it's time for me to step away from playing, but hopefully still be involved in the programme in any way I can.

"Whenever you come to decisions like this it is difficult because as athletes we always feel like we can give a little bit more, but there also comes a time where you have to focus more on other things. I know mentally and physically going through another cycle of qualification probably isn't the right thing for me nor the team.

"We have a new crop of young players coming in in my position, and I feel it's time to do what others did for me years ago and step aside to give them their opportunity and pass the torch."

It is a fitting sentiment from a player who has always understood the importance of those who came before him.

From ambition to belief

Olaseni has often spoken about the impact attending Luol Deng Camp had on him as a teenager, where for the first time he found himself surrounded by players who loved basketball as much as he did. Watching established internationals such as Dan Clark, Kieron Achara, Eric Boateng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu train at close quarters transformed an ambition into a belief.

Seeing those players made representing Great Britain feel attainable. Years later, he became one of the players inspiring the next generation in exactly the same way.

"My basketball journey didn't begin with GB, but it has been a huge part of my life," he reflected.

"From day one with this programme, it inspired me immensely and if I've been able to inspire just one person then I can be happy with what I've done.

"There's so much talent coming through, I'll be cheering them on and here for the programme however I can do so."

That willingness to give back has become a defining characteristic of Olaseni's career.

Having benefited from the guidance of experienced internationals early in his own journey, he has embraced the responsibility of helping younger teammates navigate theirs. As Great Britain prepare to hand greater responsibility to an exciting new generation, Olaseni is content knowing the programme is in good hands.

His influence, however, stretches far beyond basketball.

The programme has shaped his life in ways even he could never have imagined.

"Without GB I wouldn't have met my wife, who I first met when we played against Greece in Athens, so I owe GB a large part of my life!" he laughed.

"It's a great feeling that my personal life and basketball life are interconnected. I'm a romantic at heart so I love how the personal and the professional have been part of each other for so long, and I know if I hadn't had this GB experience, my life would be immeasurably different in so many ways, so I'm beyond grateful and excited for the next chapter."

Across a professional career that has taken him around the world, Olaseni has played in some of Europe's biggest arenas and on basketball's grandest stages.

Yet when asked what he will treasure most from his time with Great Britain, it is not the games themselves that immediately come to mind.

"I've played in big tournaments in massive arenas and in small gyms with barely anybody there, so it's been a varied but always enjoyable experience on the court," he said.

"However, the memories I'll cherish the most are off the court with the guys, the camaraderie we have, the banter. It is a family here between the players and staff, which speaks to what makes this programme special."

That sense of togetherness has long been a hallmark of British basketball. Through changing coaches, different generations of players and the inevitable highs and lows of international competition, Olaseni has remained a trusted teammate and respected leader.

Those qualities have made him a favourite among supporters, whose unwavering backing has never gone unnoticed.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the fans," he said.

"It hasn't always been easy, but the fans have been a constant wherever we've travelled to in the world. We know how deeply they care and I hope they know how deeply we care about them as well and wanting to do them proud whatever happens.

"I'm one of them now, so I look forward to seeing them at games in future."

Sunday marked the end of an international career defined by resilience, professionalism and selfless leadership, but also the beginning of a new chapter—one he hopes will still keep him close to the programme that has given him so much.

After a decade of wearing the jersey with pride, Gabe Olaseni leaves the court knowing he has done exactly what he set out to do: leave Great Britain in a stronger place than he found it, inspiring countless others to want to follow in his footsteps.

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