Limerick Sport Eagles' player named in Ireland's FIBA EuroBasket squad for upcoming qualifiers

IRELAND head coach Michael Bree has finalised his 12-man squad for the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers games with Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, with Eoin Nelson and Sean Fitzpatrick in line for their first Ireland caps, while Limerick Sport Huskies' Ryan Leonard could make his FIBA EuroBasket debut.

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American-born Eli Brooks misses out, he is unavailable due to delay in his paperwork being processed. CJ Fulton, who is playing in the G-League with Minnesota Wolves’ reserve team Iowa Wolves, is set for his first Ireland appearance since August 2023. The Ireland squad assemble on Wednesday, ahead of their opening game of the window against Azerbaijan on Friday.

Speaking at Wednesday’s final-12 announcement, Ireland head coach Michael Bree said: "We’ve gathered a really strong squad and I’m looking forward to getting the guys on the court. We’ve had plenty of get-togethers online to go through things, so we can hit the ground running when everyone is in camp.

"Eli Brooks didn’t make the 12, but he’ll be available for selection for our next FIBA EuroBasket window in the summer. We’re just focusing on the 12 we have now, we’ve got plenty of exciting talent with the likes of CJ Fulton, Neal Quinn and Sean Flood, and picking up wins in this window is something we’re determined to achieve.”

Ireland captain Sean Flood added: "We’re raring to go, we’re targeting two wins in this window to get our campaign back on track. Being at home for both these fixtures will be huge, as our home crowd really back us to the hilt and create an amazing atmosphere at the National Basketball Arena.

"Azerbaijan and Luxembourg we know well having faced them before in this campaign and previous qualifiers. I’m looking forward to working with CJ (Fulton) again, he’ll add another dimension to team and help drive the standards that we’re looking to reach."

6’11” centre Eoin Nelson was part of the 12-man Ireland squad which played against North Macedonia in November, but didn’t feature from the bench. UCD Marian’s Sean Fitzpatrick was in the extended 20-man squad for the summer series friendly games with Norway, but didn’t make an appearance.

The 6’4” guard has represented Ireland at U18 and U20 level. Ryan Leonard is set to make his competitive debut, having last played for Ireland in friendlies against Slovakia and Luxembourg in 2019.

Ireland face Azerbaijan at the National Basketball Arena on Friday, February 27 at 7.30pm, a game which will be broadcast live on the TG4 Player and App. It is followed by a home game against Luxembourg on Monday, March 2, which tips off at 7.30pm and is live on TG4.

Ireland fell to defeat in their opening two Group A games, 89-77 away to Luxembourg and an 88-76 home defeat to North Macedonia. The three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed team from three First Round groups will advance to the Second Round of FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, where they will be joined by eight teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers First Round.

Ireland men’s squad

Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), CJ Fulton (Iowa Wolves), Sean Flood (unattached), Sean Fitzpatrick (UCD Marian), Ryan Leonard (Limerick Sport Eagles), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Matt Zona (Cheshire Phoenix, UK), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), Eoin Nelson (Energywise Ireland Neptune), James Gormley (Griifth College Éanna)

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers Fixtures

Friday February 27

Ireland v Azerbaijan, 7.30pm, National Basketball Arena, Live on TG4 Player and App

Monday March 2

Ireland v Luxembourg, 7.30pm, National Basketball Arena, Live on TG4

Thursday July 2

North Macedonia v Ireland, Venue/Time TBC

Sunday July 5

Azerbaijan v Ireland, Venue/Time TBC