EuroBasket qualifying: Great Britain target success after landing NBA recruits

Great Britain's men's basketball team have turned to the NBA in their bid to progress into the full qualifying rounds for the 2029 EuroBasket campaign.

The side, led by Newcastle Eagles head coach Marc Steutel, has been able to name three players in his squad who are either current or recent players in the world's top domestic league for this week's double-header against Switzerland and Slovakia.

Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams is part of the squad, as is power forward Tobi Lawal who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this summer.

Another addition to what is, on paper, the strongest GB squad in some time is forward Tosan Evbuomwan. The 25-year-old has this summer joined Barcelona following three seasons in the NBA and its reserve G-League.

"With every squad selection, you want to try to make sure that you are getting the balance of the most talented players available," Steutel told BBC Sport.

"Because of where our players play and the restrictions that has at times, it's not always as straightforward on the outside as people may think.

"We feel really excited about this group for sure."

The trio make up three quarters of the four most recent British players to feature in the league, alongside OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks.

Great Britain enter the second of three preliminary qualifying rounds for the 2029 EuroBasket tournament. They face both Switzerland and Slovakia home and away across three international windows in August, November and February.

Should GB finish top of the group, they will enter full qualifying for EuroBasket. Failure to do so will see them enter the final round of preliminary qualifying next year.

How have GB been able to land NBA players?

For Evbuomwan and Williams, 24, this double-header on Thursday in Switzerland and then at home to Slovakia in Newcastle on Sunday is set to mark their GB debuts at senior level.

But how the duo have been able to sign up for the latest fixtures is all about timing.

Four of GB's six first-round qualifying matches for the 2027 Fiba World Cup were in November 2025 and March 2026, which clashed with the NBA season.

But with this window opening in between NBA seasons, as well as those of its European counterparts, the stars aligned for Steutel and his team.

"In the season, guys in the NBA [and] the EuroLeague, we struggle to get. There's very little ability to be able to do that," added Steutel.

"We're right before the start of the season and our general manager has done an incredible job communicating with the Boston Celtics. Tosan is closer to home now with Barcelona.

"They've both been really supportive and want those guys to play, so [we're] really excited."

GB's coaching staff have long craved the opportunity to be able to cash in by adding recent NBA players to their squad.

Dan Clark, who featured at the 2012 Olympics alongside two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng, is now GB's general manager and has stayed in contact with Newcastle-born Evbuomwan and Williams, awaiting the opportunity to be able to call on the duo.

"It's not just a 'this window' thing, it has taken years," explains Steutel.

"Tosan is someone who I've known for a long time and I've followed his journey. He's someone who has communicated really well with us and Amari likewise. Dan Clark has been communicating with Amari for years.

"We're able to get the timing right now and get them in a GB jersey. It's great for the team, but I think it's great for British basketball on the whole."

'To have our debuts at the same time is special'

While the journeys of Williams and Evbuomwan from English upbringings to reaching the NBA have differed in some ways, the crux of their stories is the same.

A school year apart, Evbuomwan moved to Princeton University in New Jersey in 2019. A year later, Williams made a similar move to attend Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Both were starting their basketball journeys that would ultimately tee up their senior international debuts.

"It was something I've been trying to do since I moved away to America seven years ago," said the Nottingham-born Williams, who was drafted by Orlando Magic in 2025 and traded to the Celtics.

"To have the opportunity to do it this summer is something I've been looking forward to ."

Evbuomwan added: "It's exciting. All of us being able to commit to this window.

"Me and Amari talk a lot and it is something we have talked about for a while. For us to have both our debuts at the same time in the same window is special."

There is an added homecoming for Evbuomwan when GB face Slovakia on Sunday. It is being played at the Vertu Arena in Newcastle, the home venue of the Eagles, for whom he previously played at youth level.

Evbuomwan added: "Very meaningful. Being able to represent your country is one thing. Being able to represent your country in front of your family and friends is a bonus."

'We'd love to see Anunoby in a GB jersey' - Steutel

Across the three international windows in August, November and March, Great Britain, Slovakia and Switzerland will each get a window each of playing two matches.

GB have theirs this week and will want to take advantage of the star power available to them before the domestic season restarts.

But moving forward, there is another name Steutel and his supporting cast would love to add in OG Anunoby.

The 29-year-old was a key man for the New York Knicks as they won their first NBA title in more than half a century in June.

A two-time NBA winner, Anunoby is also eligible for the United States and Nigeria, having yet to play international basketball for any nation at senior level.

Great Britain remain hopeful of one day getting the London-born forward in their ranks.

"Our general manager is in communication with OG and his team," said Steutel.

"His season went way into the summer, winning the championship and playing a lot of basketball. Unfortunately, the timing is not right on this window - but we hope so.

"Our qualification now is for EuroBasket 2029 and we hope we can get there. It is a long way away. But he's someone else we'd definitely love to see in a GB jersey."