Great Britain call up NBA trio for EuroBasket qualifying double-header
Great Britain's men's basketball team has added three players with NBA experience for their EuroBasket qualifying matches against Switzerland and Slovakia. Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams, Dallas Mavericks draftee Tobi Lawal, and Barcelona forward Tosan Evbuomwan are all in the squad. Coach Marc Steutel says the team is excited about the group's potential.
This qualifying window falls between the NBA and European club seasons, a rare scheduling gap that has allowed Great Britain to field its most accomplished roster in years. Amari Williams appeared in 23 games for Boston during his rookie campaign, while Tosan Evbuomwan brings 50 career NBA appearances and a recent move to Barcelona. Tobi Lawal, drafted by Dallas this summer, completes the influx of top-tier talent.
General manager Dan Clark, a 2012 Olympian, has maintained long-term contact with Williams and Evbuomwan, waiting for the right moment to secure their availability. The squad also features OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks, giving GB four of the five most recent British players to reach the NBA. Success against Switzerland and Slovakia would advance the team to full EuroBasket qualifying.
This influx of NBA-calibre talent could significantly raise the profile of British basketball, potentially inspiring younger players and increasing grassroots participation. Success in these qualifiers may also strengthen the national team's credibility on the international stage, drawing greater media attention and commercial interest. However, the impact depends on sustained availability of such players, as scheduling conflicts with major leagues have historically limited GB's competitiveness.