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1GB Basketball In Britain Press Pack 2012PB Press Pack 2012 Get Closer to the Action

Player ProfilesPlayer Profiles

Position: Forward Height: 2.11M / 6-11 DOB: 16 September 1988 From: London Caps: 36 Gb Debut: 2009 V Poland Current Club: Estudiantes Madrid (Spain) Career: Estudiantes (2009- ), Breogan, Spain (Loan, 2007-2009), Estudiantes (2004-7)

Having represented England at cadet and junior levels – and GB at under-20 - the summer of 2009 finally saw Clark step up to Chris Finch’s senior squad in the build-up to EuroBasket in Poland. After helping the team qualify for the 2011 finals in Lithuania, he was a key factor, averaging 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He was capped for England at Cadet, Under-16 and Under-18 levels.

When he was 14, Clark opted to accept an invitation to play at the academy of leading Spanish ACB Club, Estuiiantes in Madrid, where he

completed his education. Coming through the Spanish club’s junior ranks, Clark made his full debut in the ACB in December 2006, playing in the Eurocup, before spending spells on loan the LEB Oro – Spain’s second division – with Estudiantes farm team, Breogan. He is now a firm fixture in Estudiantes rotation in the ACB.

Dan Clark comes from a well-known GB Basketball family with his father Mark coaching the GB senior women’s team from 2006-09 and his mother Claire competing for GB and England in the sport. His younger sister Ella, currently on a basketball scholarship at Long Beach State University in California, is a member of the GB under-20 women’s squad.

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Position: Centre Height: 2.09m / 6-10 DOB: 29 March 1980 From: Paisley Caps: 25 GB Debut: 2007 v Croatia Current Club: Zaragoza (Spain) Career: Zaragoza (2011- ), Unicaja Malaga, Spain (2008-11), Azovmash Mariupol, Ukraine (2007-8), Joventut Badalona, Spain (2005-7), Scavolino Pesaro, Italy (2004-5), Valencia, Spain (2004), Toronto Raptors, Canada (2004), Orlando Magic, USA (2004), Phoenix Suns, USA (2004), Memphis Grizzlies, USA (2002-4), University of Illinois (1998-2002), Lafayette HS, USA (1997-98), Dunfermline Reign, UK (1993-1997)

A 6’11” forward-centre from Paisley, Archibald was the first Scot to play in the NBA. Originally drafted in 2002 (31st overall) by Memphis, he spent over a year with the Grizzlies before stints with the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors.

Archibald, who represented the Scotland national team at junior level as well as Great Britain in the World University Games, made an immediate impact upon his call-up to the GB senior side, playing a crucial part as promotion was won to the A Division of European basketball in the summer of 2007. Injuries ruled the Scotsman out of the 2008 campaign but he returned to take his place on Chris Finch’s squad at the 2009 Eurobasket in Poland. Injured again in 2010, he was limited by illness at the 2011 Eurobasket in Lithuania but returned to make his presence felt as Britain picked up their first-ever pair of victories in a major tournament.

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British BasketballPress Pack

About British Basketball 2

Fixtures 2012 3

British Basketball online 4

Standard Life GB Men 6 Player and Coach profiles

Standard Life GB Women 14 Player and Coach profiles

T16 22

Staff and Board Members 23

Sponsors 24

Key Facts and Useful Links 28

3British Basketball Press Pack 20122 Press Pack 2012 Get Closer to the Action

British BasketballBritish Basketball

The Journey to London 2012With London 2012 just round the corner we welcome the Standard Life GB

men’s and women’s teams to Sheffield as they continue their Olympic preparation.

Their journey to 2012 started on 13 March 2011 in Lyon, France, as FIBA’s Secretary General, Patrick Baumann announced that both the men’s and the women’s teams could take up their host nation places in the London Olympic Games. It was a historic announcement which means that for the first time since 1948 there will be GB basketball teams at the Olympic Games.

Here we take a look back at the last year as the teams started to make their way to London.

Standard Life GB Men

August 2011 saw the senior men’s team get their first taste of the London Olympics when they competed in the brand new Olympic Park Basketball

Arena as part of the London Prepares Series. Of the five games GB played in the tournament, they won only one, however the final results did not truly reflect the progress made during the events.

Their first match in the tournament was against a French side littered with NBA talent including Tony Parker. It was their toughest test yet, made even more challenging with the absence of their own NBA superstar, Luol Deng. However, despite the 82-60 loss, Joel Freeland stepped up and shone, as he did throughout the test games, and youngster Andrew Lawrence earned his senior team position with decisive performances.

The following two games saw GB fight back. A narrow five point defeat at the hands of Croatia was quickly followed by a heart-breaking 97-95 loss against world number four side, Serbia.

Then, with Deng back on court, the GB men recorded their first win of the London Prepares series as they defeated world number ten side, China, by 64-56. Joel Freeland scored an 18 point, 13 rebound double-double, of which 12 points were scored in the final six minutes of the game, to lead Chris Finch’s team to victory.

The Standard Life GB men ended their tournament in the Olympic Park with an extremely close 91-90 overtime defeat against world number nine team, Australia in a thrilling game.

The EuroBasket finals 2011 in Lithuania was the side’s next major focus where they faced the group dubbed by many as the strongest in the competition.

The Standard Life GB men’s first EuroBasket 2011 game saw them face the hosts, Lithuania. Despite strong first and third periods, GB were unable to grab the win and went down 80-69.

Their second loss in the tournament came when they faced World Championship silver medallists, Turkey, who defeated GB 90-61. This was quickly followed by their third straight loss at the hands of eventual winners for the second successive time, Spain, who picked up an 86-69 win against GB on their way to the trophy.

After three straight losses at EuroBasket 2011 the Standard Life GB men fought back to show their true spirit. They went on to record their first ever

EuroBasket finals win against Portugal on day four of their tournament. It was an impressive 85-73 victory which saw Luol Deng finish with a 31 point, ten rebound double-double. Standard Life GB head coach, Chris Finch commented at the time: “It was a small victory, but a meaningful one.”

The Standard Life GB Men then rounded off their tournament with an excellent 88-81 win against Poland, who were ranked 18 places ahead of GB in the FIBA rankings at the time. Although many saw it as an early exit from the competition, the experience of playing in the EuroBasket finals tournament was hugely beneficial for all the team.

Standard Life GB WomenThe GB women’s first test of 2011 was the Game On 2011, ‘GB Basketball Invitational Tournament’ which tipped off on 18 May. The four day event saw the Standard Life GB women face three top international teams - Germany, Latvia and Cuba. Although Cuba took the tournament title, the GB women came third against the top competition with a win against Latvia. The home tournament proved to be the perfect preparation ahead of EuroBasket 2011 in Poland.

The first round of the European tournament saw the women defeated by sides who reached the final four of the World Championships 2010,

semi-finalists Belarus and beaten finalists Czech Republic. However, their commanding 74-51 victory over Israel saw GB clinch third place in Group B and move into the second round of EuroBasket Women 2011, a historic event for any GB women’s side.

In the second round, the Standard Life GB women faced Lithuania, Turkey and Russia. The side lost by a single point against basketball powerhouses Lithuania and suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Turkey. They then came within just three points of defeating eventual European Champions Russia. In a fantastic European finals campaign the Standard Life GB women went further into the tournament than any other GB team in history.

For full results and reports go to gbbasketball.com/fixtures

AboutBritish Basketball

British Basketball Standard Life Game On 2012

Ponds Forge, Sheffield, 13 July

Standard Life GB Women v Angola, 14.30

France Women v Australia, 17.00

Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, 14 July

Angola Women v France, 12.00

Standard Life GB Men v Portugal, 15.00

Standard Life GB Women v Australia, 17.00

Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, 15 July

Angola Women v Australia, 12.00

Standard Life GB Men v Portugal, 15.00

Standard Life GB Women v France, 17.00

Fixtures 2012



GB Basketball OnlineThe Standard Life GB basketball teams now have a strong online presence to bring you closer to all the action and the players. For up to date information and a closer look at the teams take a look at all our digital platforms.

WebsiteThe official Standard Life GB team website can be found at www.gbbasketball.com Our new look website hosts a variety of content from news and detailed player profiles to images and information on merchandise and game tickets.

NewsletterTo receive a monthly update from the Standard Life GB teams sign up to receive our newsletter. There is exclusive interviews and news as well as up to date information on what the team are doing. Vist www.gameongb.com/fans/newsletter.

FacebookOur Facebook page www.facebook.com/GBBasketball is updated daily with team information, news and behind the scenes access. The Facebook platform really brings fans of senior GB basketball closer to the teams and its popularity is growing as the teams continue their journey to London 2012.

TwitterYou can find the Standard Life GB basketball official Twitter feed @GBBasketball News and messages to players is updated daily on our Twitter feed with exclusive pictures and comments available via the feed.

You TubeTo meet the teams and get exclusive behind the scenes video content log on to the official Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/GBBasketball

British Basketball LIVE

Men’s Team

Kieron Achara @KieronAchara

Robert Archibald @RobertArchibald

Eric Boateng @EricBoateng

Dan Clark @Dan00Clark

Luol Deng @LuolDeng9

Joel Freeland @JoelFreeland

Kyle Johnson @SmoothKJ88

Pops Mensah-Bonsu @PopsMBonsu

Nate Reinking @NateReinking12

Drew Sullivan @DrewSullivan8

Women’s Team

Dominique Allen @MsEngland32

Rose Anderson @Rose_Anderson15

Kim Butler @KimButler42

Temi Fagbenle @TemiFagbenle

Chantelle Handy @Chan2211

Jo Leedham @Joey_Leedham13

Julie Page @JuliePage10

Natalie Stafford @NatalieStafford

Azania Stewart @Azania13

Rachael Vanderwal @RachVanderwal



Position: Forward Height: 2.08m / 6-10 DOB: 3 July 1983 From: Stirling, Scotland

International Career: Scotland’s youngest-ever senior international cap when he faced Ireland in Dublin at the age of 16, Achara previously represented the country at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 levels. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds at the 2004 European Promotion Cup. Missing out on competing for Scotland at the 2006 Commonwealth Games due to college commitments, he made his Great Britain senior debut in 2008 and helped the side qualify for EuroBasket 2009 in Poland. At EuroBasket 2009 Archara made a great contribution in the match against eventual champions Spain in a game that went down to the wire. He was a key contributor off the bench in 2010 and helped Great Britain to finish top of the qualifying group.

Club Career: Manresa, Spain (2011-), Barcellona, Italy (2010-11), Glasgow Rocks, UK (2010), Biella, Italy (2009-10), Fortitudo Bologna, Italy (2008-9), Duquesne University, USA (2003-8), Maine Institute (2002-3), Falkirk Fury, UK (1998-2002)

Achara began his career as a junior with Scottish League club Falkirk Fury, winning the senior league title as his team went an unbeaten 18-0. He spent a year at prep school in Maine and his play there earned him a full scholarship to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he spent five years as a student-athlete.

Achara also moved into the professional ranks in 2008-09, signing for Italian Lega A club Fortitudo Bologna, spending the subsequent season in the same league with Biella. He had a one-game stint in the BBL with Glasgow Rocks in 2010 before signing for Italian Lega B side Barcellona. In 2011, he moved to Manresa in the Spanish ACB.

Achara grew up in Stirling and had a Scottish flag tattooed on his arm when he moved to the USA to remind him of home.

His first sporting love was football and he supports Glasgow Rangers. His favourite Olympic memory was watching Linford Christie win 100 metres gold for Great Britain in Barcelona in 1992. He majored in management at university.

Trivia: His brother Idris competed for Great Britain in basketball at the Special Olympics in Athens in 2000.

Kieron Achara Caps: 42 GB Debut: 2008 v Belgium Current Club: Manresa (Spain) Twitter: @KieronAchara

Standard LifeGB Players and Coaches Men

Robert Archibald Position: Centre Height: 2.09m / 6-10 DOB: 29 March 1980 From: Paisley, Scotland

International Career: Archibald, who represented the Scotland national team at junior level as well as Great Britain in the World University Games, made an immediate impact upon his call-up to the GB senior side, playing a crucial part as promotion was won to the A Division of European basketball in the summer of 2007, scoring an international career-best 23 points against Switzerland. Injuries ruled the Scotsman out of the 2008 campaign but he returned to take his place on Chris Finch’s squad at the 2009 EuroBasket in Poland. Injured again in 2010, he was limited by illness at the 2011 EuroBasket in Lithuania but returned to make his presence felt as Britain picked up their first-ever pair of victories in a major tournament.

Club Career: Zaragoza (2011-), Unicaja Malaga, Spain (2008-11), Azovmash Mariupol, Ukraine (2007-8), Joventut Badalona, Spain (2005-7), Scavolino Pesaro, Italy (2004-5), Valencia, Spain (2004), Toronto Raptors, Canada (2004), Orlando Magic, USA (2004), Phoenix Suns, USA (2004), Memphis Grizzlies, USA (2002-4), University of Illinois (1998-2002), Lafayette HS, USA (1997-98), Dunfermline Reign, UK (1993-1997)

A 6’10” forward-centre from Paisley, Archibald was the first Scot to play in the NBA. Originally drafted in 2002 (31st overall) by Memphis, he spent over a year with the Grizzlies before stints with the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors, averaging 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 44 appearances in the league.

He began his career with Scottish League club Dunfermline Reign, winning the Under-18 and Under-23 league titles in 1997, before a family move saw him complete his final year of high school in Missouri where his class-mates included future Major League Basketball MVP Ryan Howard. He then earned a scholarship to the University of Illinois where he enjoyed an impressive college career.

After returning to Europe, Archibald spent a brief spell in Spain with Valencia before a strong season in Italy, with Scavolini Pesaro in 2004-05, earned him a move to Joventut Badalona where he teamed up with future GB teammates Drew Sullivan and Andy Betts. Archibald signed a lucrative one-year contract with Ukrainian side Azovmash Mariupol winning the country’s league and cup titles as well as being named as the league’s Most Valuable Player. He returned to Spain in 2008 on a two-year deal with Euroleague participants Unicaja Malaga. He signed for Zaragoza in 2011.

Archibald is the son of former GB international Robert, who spent much of his club career with Livingston. He cites his father as his greatest influence. His sister Jemma is a former track and field athlete.

Trivia: Spending much of his free time playing golf, Archibald plays off a handicap of 16.

Caps: 34 GB Debut: 2007 v Croatia Current Club: Zaragoza (Spain) Twitter: @RobertArchibald



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Position: Forward Height: 2.11m / 6-11 DOB: 16 September 1988 From: London, England

International Career: Having represented England at all junior levels and for GB at under-20 level the summer of 2009 finally saw Clark step up to the GB senior squad in the build-up to EuroBasket in Poland. After his first full summer with the GB team in 2010 he became a regular in the starting line up. In his first EuroBasket finals in 2011 Lithuania, he was a key factor, averaging 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Club Career: Estudiantes (2009-), Breogan, Spain (loan, 2007-2009), Estudiantes (2004-7)

When he was 14, Clark opted to accept an invitation to play at the academy of leading Spanish ACB club, Estudiantes in Madrid, where he completed his education. Coming through the Spanish club’s junior ranks, Clark made his full debut in the ACB in December 2006, playing in the EuroCup, before spending spells on loan the LEB Oro – Spain’s second division – with Estudiantes farm team, Breogan. He is now a firm fixture in Estudiantes rotation in the ACB.

Dan Clark comes from a well-known British basketball family with his father Mark coaching the GB senior women’s team from 2006-09 and his mother Claire competing for GB and England in the sport. His younger sister Ella, currently on a basketball scholarship at Long Beach State University in California, is a member of the GB under-20 women’s squad. Dan featured in an adidas TV commercial where he played a game against rapper Snoop Dogg and athlete Phillips Idowu.

Trivia: He grew up in the London borough of Greenwich, very close to the site of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Dan Clark Caps: 46 GB Debut: 2009 v Poland Current Club: Estudiantes Madrid (Spain) Twitter: @Dan00Clark

Eric Boateng Position: Centre Height: 2.08m / 6-11 DOB: 20 November 1985 From: London, England

International Career: Boateng made his debut against Finland in 2006 and has maintained his place in the squad ever since. Eric began 2011 in great form winning the MVP of the tri-test series with the Netherlands and Nigeria. He followed this up with some solid performances in the London Prepares Olympic Test event averaging almost six points per game against world class opposition. His best game came at EuroBasket 2011 was a career-high 7 rebounds and four points in 25 minutes against Turkey.

Club Career: Peristeri, (2011-), Austin Toros, USA (2011), Idaho Stampede, USA (2010-11) Arizona State, USA (2007-10), Duke University, USA (2005-06), St. Andrew’s HS, USA (2002-5), Brixton Top Cats, USA (2000-2002)

Beginning his career in basketball at Brixton TopCats in London, Boateng moved to the USA and won a scholarship to Duke University helping the team to a 32-4 record, the ACC Tournament title and a place in the NCAA Sweet 16 round. He transferred for his sophomore season to Arizona State University. In his senior year, Eric had a career-best 24 points against Stanford when he matched the Pac-10 Conference record for field goal percentage in a single game, going 11-of-11 from the field.

His professional debut came in a pre-season stint with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets in 2010 where he made five appearances, averaging 1.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He spent his rookie season in the NBA D-League, split between the Idaho Stampede and Austin Toros. For 2011-12, Eric joined Greek A1 club Peristeri but was sidelined in January with a calf injury.

Boateng was a member of the International team at the annual McDonald’s High School Game in 2005 after spending three years at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, USA. As a junior international, he once earned a prize of £1500 at a tournament in the Netherlands which he donated to charity.

Grew up playing football in London and had never played basketball until, at the age of 14, he was stopped in the street and invited to try the sport at Brixton by the then-presenter of the BBC’s basketball coverage, Freddie Morrison. Supports Arsenal Football Club. Graduated from Arizona State with a degree in Global Studies.

Trivia: Eric played for Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski for one year at Duke University.

Caps: 53 GB Debut: 2006 v Finland Current Club: Peristeri, Greece Twitter: @EricBoateng

Position: Forward Height: 2.06m / 6-9 DOB: 16 April 1985 From: London, England

International Career: Luol represented England at U16 level in 2001 and 2002, scoring 50 points for England against Turkey in 2001 in the European Championship. Five years later Deng made his senior GB debut in August 2007 against Georgia in Pau, France and has been the catalyst for GB’s meteoric rise up the international basketball world rankings since then. In 2007 and 2008, he helped GB win promotion into Europe’s A Division and then played a key role as GB won their EuroBasket A Division qualifying group one year later. After missing the 2009 EuroBasket finals through injury, Luol lead GB qualification for the 2011 edition in Lithuania, where he was the tournament’s leading scorer. He notched an international career-best 38 points in a victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2010.

Club Career: Chicago Bulls, USA (2004-), Duke University, USA (2003-4), Blair Academy HS, USA (1998-2003), Brixton Top Cats, UK (1994-1998)

Luol began his career in the English Basketball League with Brixton Top Cats before attending high school at Blair Academy in New Jersey. He then spent one season at Duke University, helping the team to the NCAA Final Four, before entering the 2004 NBA Draft. He was chosen seventh overall by the Phoenix Suns but was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls.

Named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Team in his first season, Deng also helped the Bulls return to the play-offs in his first three campaigns as his reputation grew steadily. In the summer of 2008, he signed a new six-year contract worth $63m (£47m).

Earlier this year, Deng stepped out on court in Orlando to take part in the NBA All Star game 2012. Deng is the first ever Brit to play in an All Star game. He earned his spot following a stand out season with his NBA side, the Chicago Bulls. In 21 games that season, Deng averaged 16.0 points, a career-high 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals in a team-high 38 minutes per game.

Luol was born in what is now South Sudan where his father Aldo was a minister in the then government of Sudan. His family was forced into exile, arriving first in Egypt – where learnt to play basketball from ex-NBA player Manute Bol - and then in the UK where they were granted asylum. Growing up in south London, Luol played football and was offered trials for England Schoolboys before committing to basketball.

Trivia: In 2011, Luol returned to South Sudan to witness its independence. His father was involved in drawing up the new country’s constitution. He has his own website www. luoldengfoundation.org.

Luol Deng Caps: 37 GB Debut: 2007 v Georgia Current Club: Chicago Bulls (USA) Twitter: @LuolDeng9

Position: Forward Height: 2.06m / 6-11 DOB: 7 February 1987 From: Farnham, England

International Career: Regarded as one of Europe’s best young players, Freeland’s influence has grown with every summer spent with the GB team since he made his senior debut in 2006 against the Netherlands, a year after playing for England in the European Under-18 Championships.

A factor off the bench in the 2009 EuroBasket Finals in Poland, he missed the 2010 qualifying campaign through injury but returned to prominence in the 2011 finals in Lithuania. After starring in the London Invitational at Olympic Park last year, Joel was one of GB’s best performers at EuroBasket 2011 setting the standard at both ends of the court, scoring a career-high 27 points in GB’s victory over Poland.

Club career: Unicaja Malaga (2009-), Gran Canaria, Spain (2006-9), Las Palmas, Spain (2005-6), Solent Stars, UK (2004-5)

A late arrival to the game at the age of 16, Joel started out at junior level for Solent Stars in Hampshire before rejecting approaches from American universities to take up a place at the academy of Gran Canaria. Starting off in the lower-tier EBA league in 2005, such was his impact that he was chosen in the 1st round of the NBA Draft (30th overall) by the Portland Trailblazers.

However he remained in Spain, moved into Gran Canaria’s senior ACB team a year later, making 15 appearances and his European club debut in the ULEB Cup. He spent two further seasons with the Las Palmas-based club before signing a 5-year contract with Unicaja Malaga, where he has established himself as one of the most potent performers in the Spanish League. In his first Euroleague season in Malaga in 2009-10, he averaged 10.1 points, raising that to 13.3 in his second campaign.

In 2004, just months after starting in basketball, Freeland was nominated for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). He credits his father Rob for driving him to practice four times a week and cites Solent coach Jimmy Guymon as a huge influence in guiding his career.

Trivia: Joel was stocking shelves in a supermarket to support his basketball development before being talent spotted to move to Spain.

Joel Freeland Caps: 43 GB Debut: 2006 v Netherlands Current Club: Unicaja Malaga (Spain) Twitter: @JoelFreeland





Position: Guard Height: 1.89m / 6-2 DOB: 1 May 1981 From: Oxford, England

International Career: Lenzly has been a talisman for the GB programme since making his Great Britain debut against Georgia in 2007, helping the team secure a spot in European Division A. In the 2009 EuroBasket Finals, he scored 14 points against eventual champions Spain. After missing the following summer, he returned for the 2011 EuroBasket Finals, scoring 17 points in a victory over Portugal after some outstanding performances against Australia and China at the London Invitational at Olympic Park.

Club career: CEZ Nymburk, Czech Republic (2009-), Scafati, Italy (2008-9), Mons-Hainaut (2007-8), Apoel Nicosia, Cyprus (2006-7), Tenerife, Spain (2005-6), Ventspils, Latvia (2004-5), Trier, Germany (2003-4), Wofford University, USA (2000-3)

Attending Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Lenzly turned professional in 2003 with German BBL side Trier before taking in a further five European countries in his club career. In 2005, he won the Latvian League championship with BK Ventspils and was part of the Dexia Mons-Hainaut – coached by GB head coach Chris Finch - that made the final of the 2008 Eurocup. With CEZ Nymburk, Lenzly won the Czech league and cup in both 2010 and 2011. Mike featured in the EuroCup All Star Game in 2008 and made his Euroleague debut in 2011.

Mike was born in Oxford and moved to the United States as a young child and grew up in Jonesboro in the State of Georgia.

Trivia: Lenzly was inducted into the Wofford College Hall of Fame.

Mike LenzyCaps: 42 GB Debut: 2007 v Georgia Current Club: CEZ Nymburk (Czech Republic)

Position: Guard Height: 1.86m / 6-2 DOB: 4 June 1990 From: Woking, England

International Career: One of the youngest members of the GB senior squad, Andrew played in the Under-18 European Championship for England in 2008 (averaging 12.5ppg) before moving up to Under-20 level with GB in the following two summers, captaining the team in 2011. He earned a GB Futures call up in 2011, and was outstanding in three matches against Germany. As a result Andrew made his senior debut against the Netherlands in the tri-test series in Cobham. He followed this up with some outstanding performances against world level opposition at the London Olympic Test Event eventually winning a spot on the GB roster for EuroBasket 2011. He was England Basketball’s Under-18 Player of the Year in 2009.

Club Career: College of Charleston (2009-), Heat Basketball Academy, USA (2008-9)

Lawrence has just completed his junior (third) season at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, USA where he is on a full scholarship. He originally crossed the Atlantic to attend the Heat Academy in Virginia for one year before beginning university.

In his freshman year, he played in all 34 games averaging 4.7 points per game. He started two games in his sophomore (second) year before becoming a regular starter this past season.

Andrew attended St John the Baptist secondary school in Woking, Surrey, and played at the American School in Cobham, before moving to the USA to further his basketball career. Andrew is the son of Renaldo Lawrence who was selected by the San Diego Clippers in the eighth round of the 1979 NBA Draft but who spent most of his professional career in the British Basketball League with Crystal Palace and Bracknell Tigers. He is also the nephew of David Lawrence who played in the BBL for six seasons.

Trivia: A talented footballer, who did not start playing basketball until the age of 15, Andrew spent three years at the Academy of Chelsea FC but supports Arsenal.

Andrew Lawrence

Position: Guard Height: 1.93m / 6-5 DOB: 31 December 1988 From: Scarborough, Canada

International Career: Johnson came through the Great Britain Futures squad in 2011, earning himself a promotion into the senior roster for the EuroBasket finals in Lithuania after an outstanding debut for GB in the tri-test series win against the Netherlands and Nigeria at Cobham. Johnson played with maturity beyond his years by averaging almost 7 points per game against world class opposition.

Club Career: Apoel Nicosia, Cyprus (2011-), Ilissiakos, Greece (2011), Long Island University, USA (2007-11), West Hill Collegiate Institute, Canada (2004-7)

Johnson capped his college career by helping Brooklyn-based Long Island University capture the 2011 Northeast Conference championship and post a 27-6 record en route to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-5 guard made an LIU-record 124 appearances and averaged 11.6 points per game. He ranks 11th all-time at the school in scoring (1,433) and is second in both three-pointers made (240) and attempted (666). He made his professional debut with Ilissiakos in Greece in 2011 before transferring to Apoel Nicosia.

He cites his greatest moment in basketball as winning the conference championship in his final year in college and making it to the NCAA Tournament. He majored in business management.

Trivia: His favourite athletes are Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Kyle JohnsonCaps: 18 GB Debut: 2011 v Netherlands Current Club: Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus) Twitter: @SmoothKJ88

Caps: 22 GB Debut: 2011 v Netherlands Current Club: College of Charleston (USA)

Pops Mensah-Bonsu Position: Forward Height: 2.06m / 6-9 DOB: 7 September 1983 From: London, England

International Career: Having delayed his senior GB debut until after graduation from university, Mensah-Bonsu had an immediate impact when he joined the GB team in 2008, helping to earn a first-ever place in a major tournament. At EuroBasket 2009 in Poland, he averaged 13.3 points. In European Division A in 2010, he led all players in rebounding with 13.5 per game as GB qualified for EuroBasket 2011 and scored a career-high 32 points against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However he missed the Finals in Lithuania a year later through injury.

Club Career: Besiktas, Turkey (2011- ), Asvel Villeurbanne, France (2011), New Orleans Hornets (2010-11), CSKA Moscow (2010), Toronto Raptors (2009–10), Houston Rockets (2009), Toronto Raptors (2009), San Antonio Spurs (2009), Austin Toros (2009), Joventut Badalona (2008), Granada (2008), Benetton Treviso (2007–08), Dallas Mavericks (2007), Fort Worth Flyers (2006–07), George Washington University, USA (2002-6), St. Augustine College Prep (2004-6), Hun School of Princeton, USA (2002-4), Hackney White Heat, UK (2000-2)

Starting out as a junior at Hackney White Heat in London, Mensah-Bonsu went to high school in the USA to foster his basketball career before earning a scholarship to George Washington University in Washington DC. He played for the Colonials to the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Tournaments, making the Atlantic-10 All Conference First Team in his senior season.

Since his professional bow in 2006, Pops has played for five NBA teams (Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Toronto and New Orleans) with stints in five different countries. His rookie season was primarily spent in the NBA D-League with Fort Wayne and he was named as MVP of the league’s All Star Game. It earned him a call-up to the Dallas Mavericks but his most successful NBA spell came in 2008-9 with Toronto where, over 19 games, he averaged 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds.

He has spent two short spells in the Spanish ACB with Granada and Joventut Badalona while his longest tenure came with Benetton Treviso in 2007-8. He joined CSKA Moscow mid-way through the 2009-10 campaign and helped the Russian club to reach the Euroleague Final Four. He sustained a season-ending shoulder injury during his lone year in France with Asvel Villeurbanne in Lyon but joined Turkey’s Besiktas in 2011. With Beskitas Pops was named MVP of the league’s 2012 All Star Game and helped the side win three major trophies by winning the TBL finals for the first time since 1975, the Turkish Cup trophy and the EuroChallenge.

A talented high and long jumper in his youth who also played schools football, Mensah-Bonsu discovered his love for basketball through the Hackney White Heat club and never looked back. However he remains a huge Tottenham Hotspur fan. Pops majored in Psychology at George Washington University in Washington DC.

Trivia: Mensah-Bonsu’s full name is Nana Papa Yaw Dwene Mensah-Bonsu. In the Twi language, it means King (Nana) Father (Papa) Thursday Born (Yaw) Three (Mensah) Whale (Bonsu).

Caps: 35 Current Club: Besiktas (Turkey)GB Debut: 2008 v Belgium Twitter: @PopsMBonsu


Coach ProfilesPlayer Profiles

Position: Guard Height: 1.88m / 6-2 DOB: 12 December 1973 From: Ohio, USA

International Career: The GB men’s most-capped international entering 2012, Reinking is one of only two players, along with Drew Sullivan, to remain from the inception of the GB programme in 2006. An ever-present since GB began its rise from Division B towards qualifying for major tournaments, the guard scored 21 points against Serbia in the 2009 EuroBasket. Previously he won 4 caps for England during a stellar six year campaign in the BBL with the Sheffield Sharks.

Club Career: Sheffield Sharks (2011-), Mersey Tigers, UK (2010-11), Mons-Hainaut, Belgium (2007-10), Bree, Belgium (2005-07), Sheffield Sharks (1999-2005), Derby Storm, UK (1998-99), Leicester Riders, UK (1996-98), Kent University, USA (1992-96)

Reinking started his professional career in the British Basketball League in 1996 and, at the age of 38, he appears likely to end it there after returning to Sheffield Sharks last summer. During his initial stint in the BBL, he won two league titles, two Cups and a play-off crown, all with Sheffield, as well as making four All Star appearances.

The shooting guard then spent five seasons in Belgium, playing both in domestic and European competition, and was a member of the Mons side which reached the 2008 FIBA EuroCup final, as well as winning the 2006 Belgian Cup. He returned to the BBL in 2010 with Mersey Tigers, helping the Liverpool club to a treble of league, Trophy and play-off titles.

He is currently studying for a Masters in Sports and Exercise Science at Hallam University and uses yoga and pilates to keep in prime physical condition. However he plans to retire after the Olympic Games to pursue a coaching career.

Trivia: Reinking has played under Great Britain head coach Chris Finch at three different clubs: Sheffield, Bree and Mons.

Nate Reinking Caps: 74 GB Debut: 2006 v Slovakia Current Club: Sheffield Sharks (UK) Twitter: @natereinking12

Position: Forward Height: 2.03m / 6-8 DOB: 12 February 1980 From: London, England

International Career: One of only two players, along with Nate Reinking, to remain from the inception of the Great Britain programme in 2006, Andrew has been the GB team’s captain in recent years. He starred in GB’s successful promotion campaign out of Division B in 2006-7 when he averaged 10.6 ppg. However he was been a stalwart presence ever since and enters 2012 as the country’s most second-capped player (behind Reinking).

Andrew was a member of the England international team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, where he averaged 18.3 ppg and was named in the All-Tournament team.

Club Career: Leicester Riders, UK (2011-), Mersey Tigers, UK (2010-12), Newcastle Eagles, UK (2010), Apollon Limassol, Cyprus (2009-10), Samara, Russia (2008-9), Newcastle Eagles, UK (2008), Mons-Hainaut, Belgium (2007-8), Joventut Badalona, Spain (2006-7), Newcastle Eagles (2004-6), Eiffel Towers Nijmegen, Netherlands (2003-4), Villanova University, USA (1999-2003), St. Augustine’s Prep, USA (1996-99), London Towers, UK (1995-96), Islington White Heat, UK (1994-96)

Starting his career as a junior at Islington White Heat, Andrew played four games for London Towers at the age of 15 before moving to high school in the USA to further his basketball career. He won a scholarship to Villanova University in Philadelphia, where he averaged 3.9 points and 3.4 rebounds during his stint in NCAA basketball.

Since starting his professional career in 2003, Sullivan has played in the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Russia, Cyprus and the UK. He helped Eiffel Towers to win the Dutch League title in 2004 before moving to Newcastle Eagles, where he was named as the British Basketball League’s Most Valuable Player for 2005-6 as his team won all four domestic trophies.

He then spent a year with Spanish ACB club Joventut Badalona, alongside fellow GB internationals Robert Archibald and Andy Betts. The next season, he played under GB coach Chris Finch at Mons-Hainaut. Reaching the Belgian Cup final before spending the subsequent campaign split between Newcastle, Russian side Samara and Apollon of Cyprus.

Since then, Andrew has played solely in the BBL. He won the BBL Championship with Newcastle in 2005-6 and Mersey in 2010-11, among a total of 11 domestic honours headed into the present season. He joined Leicester Riders for the 2011-12 season.

Andrew is a former 100 and 200 metres athlete who competed at schools level in Haringey. He lists his biggest influence as his late junior coach at Islington White Heat, Joe White, and his proudest accomplishment as “seeing the national team growing from one made up primary of BBL players to one that includes players based at the very highest level.” He graduated from the School of Arts & Sciences at Villanova University.

Trivia: In addition to playing, Andrew runs a coaching programme that gives British youths experience of the challenge of professional basketball. He has his own website, www.drewsullivan8.com.

Andrew Sullivan Caps: 73 GB Debut: 2006 v Finland Current Club: Leicester Riders (UK) Twitter: @drewsullivan8

Standard Life Senior Men’s Assistant Coach

Mokeski brings over 30 years of experience in professional basketball to his role as assistant coach for the Standard Life GB men. A large proportion of his career in the sport was spent playing professional basketball for teams such as the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons.

When not with the GB squad, Mokeski is head coach of NBA D-League side, the Reno Bighorns. Mokeski’s Bighorns are notorious for their scoring ability and averaged 108.2 points per game last season.

Previously, Mokeski has been assistant coach for the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA D-league and later assistant coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers who he helped reach two NBA D-league finals in his last two seasons there.

Paul Mokeski

Standard Life Senior Men’s Head Coach

Chris Finch has been at the helm of the British Men’s programme since its inception in the spring of 2006 and will lead the side to their first Olympic Games since 1948.

Alongside his GB duties, Finch is Assistant Coach for NBA side, the Houston Rockets. Prior to this position, Finch was Head Coach at the Rockets D-League affiliate side, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In two seasons at the helm of the Vipers, Finch guided the side to back-to-back D-League Finals. He also led the Western Conference All-Stars to a win at the 2009 D-League All-Star Game in Dallas.

In addition to his work with the Standard Life GB men, Finch was a head coach of teams in England (Sheffield Sharks in the BBL), Germany (Giessen 46ers) and Belgium (Euphony Bree, Dexia Mons-Hainaut) from 1997-2009. Finch began his career in Sheffield and earned three BBL Cup Final titles while at the helm also being awarded the BBL Coach of the Year in 1998-99. The Sharks was also where he played during his four-year professional playing career.

Chris Finch

Standard Life Senior Men’s Assistant Coach

Nurse enters his third season this year as assistant coach for GB under Head Coach, Chris Finch.

Although he has been hugely successful with the Standard Life GB team, helping the side reach the EuroBasket Finals in 2011, he has a real niche in NBA D-League basketball.

He previously coached the Iowa Energy and took them to the championship title spot, defeating GB Head Coach, Chris Finch’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the process. Nurse has now taken the reigns at the Vipers with Finch leaving the role to take up a position at NBA side, the Houston Rockets.

Rio Grande Valley is the Houston Rockets affiliate D-League side which sees Finch and Nurse continue to work closely together away from GB duties.

Previously Nurse coached for 10 years in Europe mostly in Britain where his teams captured nine championships in all competitions in the BBL. He has also been an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls summer league teams.

Nick Nurse





Position: Centre Height: 1.92m / 6-2 DOB: 10 September 1989 From: Wordsley, England

International Career: 2012 is her senior debut, but Dominique has represented Great Britain at Under-20 level in the 2008 and 2009 European Championships, averaging 5.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in the latter year. She also played for the GB Futures team in the World University Games 2011 in Shenzhen, China.

Club career: Oral Roberts University (2008-), Northumbria University, UK (2006-8)

Before going to the USA, Allen spent two seasons playing in the English Basketball League and BUSA competition for Northumbria University, earning Most Valuable Player honours in 2006-7. She then transferred to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, playing 10 games in her first season and 33 in her second (sophomore) year. In 2010-11, she averaged 5.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, including a career-best 15-point effort against Western Illinois University. Her team-mates there include fellow GB international Georgia Jones.

The daughter of Clive and Jayne Allen, Dominique grew up in Dudley in the West Midlands. Her father Clive played 15 seasons in the British Basketball League, primarily with Birmingham Bullets, and was an England international.

Trivia: Dominique plans to graduate in graphic design

Dominique Allen Caps: 16 Current Club: Oral Roberts University (USA) Twitter: MsEngland32

Position: Guard Height: 1.78m / 5-10 DOB: 23 March 1988 From: Edinburgh, Scotland

International Career: Representing Scotland at every age-group level from junior to senior, Anderson made her competitive international debut at the 2006 European Promotion Cup where she averaged 12.4 points per game. Captaining Great Britain at Under-20 level in 2008, she earned a first senior cap against Bulgaria in 2010 and was an integral back-up in GB’s qualifying campaign before taking a similar role in the 2011 EuroBasket finals in Poland. She also played for the GB Futures team at the World University Games in 2009 and 2011.

Club career: UWIC (20011-), University of Central Oklahoma, USA (2008-10), Northern Oklahoma College, USA (2006-08), Edinburgh Kool Kats, UK (2000-6)

Rose began her career with Scottish League club, Edinburgh Kool Kats, securing several honours at junior level before winning the Scottish League and Cup as a senior in 2006. She then spent two years at Northern Oklahoma (Junior) College in the USA before transferring to Central Oklahoma University. She returned to the UK to join UWIC Archers in Cardiff this season, helping them to the league title and the final of the EBL National Cup.

Rose attended Portobello High School in Edinburgh where she was first introduced to the sport. She cites Donna Finnie, her Scotland coach at Under-18 level, and former Edinburgh coach Brian Findlay, as huge influences. She is the youngest of four children and her elder brother Kenny is a boxer who won a gold medal at light-heavyweight at the 2006 Commonwealth Games before turning professional. Her father was also an amateur boxer.

Trivia: While completing her degree in 2011, Rose competed in rowing for Central Oklahoma in collegiate racing.

Rose AndersonCaps: 46 GB Debut: 2010 v Bulgaria Current Club: UWIC Archers (UK) Twitter: @Rose_Anderson15

Standard LifeGB Players and CoachesWomen





Position: Forward Height: 1.93m / 6-4 DOB: 8 September 1992 From: London, England

International Career: Fagbenle represented England at Under 16 and Under 18 levels before joining Great Britain’s Under 20 team in 2011, averaging a team-high 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds at the European Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia. She was named as England Basketball’s Under 18 Player of the Year in 2010.

Club career: Harvard (2011), Blair Academy, USA (2008-11), Haringey Angels, UK (2006-8)

At 14 years old, Fagbenle began her playing career with Haringey Angels in London before spending three years at Blair Academy in New Jersey, the same high school as Luol Deng. In her senior year at Blair, she was named as a McDonald’s All American, included on the Parade All-America team, and named New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year.

Temi was brought up in London and has 11 siblings. Her brother, Dapo, played American collegiate basketball.

Trivia: Temi was a talented track and field athlete, winning state champion titles in high jump, javelin, discus and shot putt. She has also done some modelling work and has a keen interest in drama.

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Temi Fagbenle

Position: Guard Height: 1.68m / 5-6 DOB: 30 December 1982 From: Upper Heyford, England

International Career: Stef is just one of three players still factoring in the GB set-up who also played in 2006 when the very first GB team took to the floor. Entering 2012, she has accumulated 75 caps, a record for any GB player (male or female). She scored an international career-high 25 points against Ukraine in 2007 as the national side won promotion to Division A, and featured in the 2011 EuroBasket Women Finals in Poland.

Club career: UWIC Archers (2007-), Rhondda Rebels (2006-7), St Bonaventure University, USA (2002-06)

Stef’s collegiate career was spent at St Bonaventure University in New York where she was named in the Atlantic-10 All-Conference teams in three separate seasons.

Her professional career has been entirely in the UK, playing for the two Welsh clubs in the English Basketball League. It began in 2006 with Rhondda Rebels where she also averaged 5.33ppg in the EuroCup. Since then, she has played for UWIC Archers in Cardiff where the head coach is GB assistant Damian Jennings.

Stef was born in Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire. She is the daughter of Steve and Janet Collins. Her elder sister Samantha was a track athlete at the collegiate level.

Trivia: After her career Stef aspires to work in strength and conditioning and personal training and nutrition.

Stef Collins

Position: Forward Height: 1.86m / 6-1 DOB: 7 September 1982 From: Tacoma, USA

International Career: Butler has been a vital player on the GB team since making her debut in the summer of 2007. Kim was part of the team that won promotion into European Division A, scoring a career-best 28 points in a victory over Ukraine in 2008, and ranking in the top ten categories including 2nd in made 2-point field goals and 5th in defensive rebounds. At EuroBasket Women 2011, she hit 15 points as GB came within seconds of upsetting eventual champions and world no two, Russia.

Club career: Skcesis (2012-) Comense (2011-12 ), Ibiza, Spain (2011), Riga, Latvia (2010-11), Panionios, Greece, (2009-10), San Jose Leon, Spain (2008-09), Kosice, Slovakia (2007-08), Anda Ramat Hasharon (Israel (2007), Panathinaikos, Greece, (2006), Oregon State University, USA (2004-06), Santa Clara University (2001-3)

Splitting her American university career between Santa Clara and Oregon State (where she was the second leading scorer of the Pac-10 Conference in her final year), Kim earned a training camp invite from the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks but has since established herself in European club basketball.

In 2006-07, Butler made the move to Panathinaikos in Athens before completing the season with leading Israeli side, Anda Ramat Hasharon, for whom she also played in the EuroCup. She spent the following period with Kosice in the strong Slovakian league, making her debut in EuroLeague Women.

The 2008-09 season saw Butler in Spain with San Jose Leon, where she helped her team to the quarter-finals of the EuroCup before moving on to Panionios in Greece. 2010-11 saw Butler make a number of moves, heading to TTT Riga in Latvia – where she averaged 9.7ppg in the EuroLeague, before playing for Palacio De Congresos De Ibiza. Butler started the season with Italian side Comense but went on to win the league in Latvia with her new club SK Cesis where she was named MVP.

Kim’s sister Julie also played basketball at Santa Clara. Growing up, Kim competed in athletics, primarily in shot putt and 400 metres. She lists former USA basketball international Tim Duncan and cyclist Lance Armstrong as her sporting idols.

Trivia: In high school, Kim was named as an All-State soccer player before accepting a basketball scholarship at Santa Clara University.

Kim Butler

Caps: 91 GB Debut: 2006 v Norway Current Club: UWIC Archers (UK)

Caps: 56 GB Debut: 2007 v Netherlands Current Club: SK Cesis (Latvia) Twitter: @KimButler42

Caps: 16 Current Club: Harvard University (USA) Twitter: @TemiFagbenle

Position: Forward Height: 1.91m / 6-3 DOB: 16 June 1987 From: Consett, England

International Career: Having represented England at junior and Under-18 level, Handy made her Great Britain senior debut in 2007 against Norway, contributing to the successful promotion push into Division A. Handy was part of the Great Britain Futures team at the 2009 World University Games, where she averaged 11 points and 7.6 rebounds across seven games, including a team-high 25 points in a victory over Slovakia. She also led the Futures team in scoring at the 2011 World University Games in China. A starter at the EuroBasket Women 2011 finals in Lithuania, she grabbed 10 points and five rebounds in the team’s win against Israel.

Club career: Athinaikos (2011-), Ruzomberok, Slovakia (2011), Aris Thessaloniki (2010-11), Marshall University, USA, (2006-10), Mount de Chantal Academy, USA (2004-6)

Earning a scholarship to Marshall University, in Huntington, West Virginia after attending prep school in the same State, Handy established herself as an all-round contributor in NCAA basketball, averaging 11.1ppg and 6.5rpg in her senior season when she was third overall in Conference USA in field-goal percentage.

She began an impressive rookie professional season in Greece with Aris in 2010-11, where she also played in EuroCup Women, averaging 9.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg. She completed the season with Slovak team Ruzomberok, helping them to the league’s Final. She moved back to Greece to play for leading team Athinaikos in 2011.

Chantelle attended Prodhoe Community High School in Durham until the age of 16 before deciding to move to the USA to pursue a basketball career. She is the daughter of Raymond and Jacqueline Handy and has one sister Chearlise. Her Olympic idol is 2000 heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis.

Trivia: Having completed a degree in adult fitness, Handy intends to become a physiotherapist after her basketball career.

Chantelle HandyCaps: 73 GB Debut: 2007 v Norway Current Club: Athinaikos (Greece) Twitter: @Chan2211



Position: Forward Height: 1.88m / 6-2 DOB: 21 April 1983 From: Stockport, England

International Career: Having represented England at junior level in 2000 and 2002, Page made her senior Great Britain debut in 2006 in a test match against Norway and followed that up with selection for the 2008-9 Division A campaign. Julie cemented her place as one of GB’s most vital scoring and rebounding threats in 2010, averaging 11.5 ppg and 7 rpg as the side won a place at EuroBasket Women 2011 finals for the first time in history. Her outstanding play in GBs rise through that tournament saw her named as British Basketball Player of the Year, given to the most outstanding performer (male or female) on national duty. She was also named as the British Olympic Association’s 2011 Olympic Athlete of the Year for basketball.

Club career: Torun (2011-), ESB Villeneuve d’Ascq, France (2011), ESB Lille Metropole, France (2010), Pays d’Aix Basket Provence, France (2009-10), Banco di Sicilia Ribera Italy (2008-09), TV 1872 Saarlouis, Germany (2006-8), East Washington University, USA (2003-6), Nottingham Wildcats (2002-3), Stockport Lapwings (1999-2002)

Page has featured in Europe’s leading leagues since completing her college career at Eastern Washington University, where she was named in the Big Sky All-Conference Team in 2006. She spent the initial two years of her professional career in Germany with Saarlouis, winning the German Cup in 2006.

Subsequently, she had spells in Italy, where she made her EuroCup debut, and France. She spent the current campaign in Poland with Torun.

Originally from Stockport, she has one brother Keith, who has just completed his first professional season with Cheshire Jets of the British Basketball League. Mother, Cas, is a primary school head teacher in Manchester, who promoted team sports and extra-curricular activity. Julie is a self-confessed Olympics addict. She supports Manchester United and cites EuroBasket Women 2011 as her best sporting experience.

Trivia: Julie was forced to fight back to fitness from a serious road accident during 2008 while playing in Italy. She sustained numerous injuries but returned better than ever.

Julie Page Caps: 58 GB Debut: 2006 v Norway Current Club: Torun (Poland) Twitter: @JuliePage10

Position: Guard Height: 1.75m / 5-9 DOB: 8 December 1976 From: Gladstone, Australia

International Career: Stafford first appeared for GB in 2010 after some outstanding performances for Barking Abbey in the EBL. She holds the GB record for most points in a quarter (15), set against Portugal in 2010. At EuroBasket Women 2011 finals, she had 18 points against Turkey and 14 against Russia in the group stages and led the team from the front with a string of ‘never-say-die’ performances.

Club career: Sydney University Flames (2010-), Barking Abbey Leopards (2009-10) Rhondda Rebels (2003-9), Sydney Panthers (1999-03), Dandeenong, Australia (1998-99), Oregon University (1996-8)

Having attended Oregon University in the USA, Natalie debuted in the WNBL with Dandenong in 1998 before beginning an association with Sydney Panthers a year later. She helped the club to the WNBL title in 2001 and was named in the league’s All Star team the following season alongside Australian internationals Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor.

Moving to the UK, she spent six seasons with Rhondda Rebels, winning the EBL Division One title in 2004, 2005 and 2006 while playing in domestic and European competition. She completed a single campaign with Barking Abbey Leopards in 2009-10 and then returned to Sydney with the Flames.

Natalie’s brother Danny was also a professional basketballer, playing in the Australian NBL with Brisbane Bullets. Her great-uncle was Frank Hughes who was the first Australian golfer to play overseas in the early 20th century. She is a fan of NRL rugby league side Parramatta Eels.

Trivia: Works as a primary school teacher and taught in Essex before been snapped up to play for the GB squad.

Natalie StaffordCaps: 41 GB Debut: 2006 v Norway Current Club: Sydney Flames (Australia) Twitter: @NatalieStafford

Position: Guard Height: 1.80m / 5-11 DOB: 5 December 1987 From: Ellesmere Port, England

International Career: Now one of the fulcrums of the GB team, Leedham represented England at junior and Under-16 level before spending two summers in the GB Under-20 ranks. Her senior debut arrived in a test-match against Finland in 2006 but it was in 2008 that she established herself, hitting the buzzer-beating jump shot against Germany that gave the national side its first ever Division A victory. In 2010, she averaged a team-high 18 ppg to lead the team into GB’s first ever EuroBasket Women Finals.

Club career: Bulleen Boomers (2011-), AZS Gorzow, Poland (2010-11), Franklin Pierce University, USA (2006-10), Ellesmere Port Panthers, UK (2002-6)

Beginning her career with her local club, Ellesmere Port Panthers, Jo took up a scholarship with Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire where she become one of the most stellar offensive threats ever in college basketball. She is leading all-time scorer in NCAA Division II with 3050 points, ranking fifth against all levels of the college game. In her senior year, she averaged a division-best 26.9 points per game, leading her university to the Final Four. She was named as the (USA) National Player of the Year.

Chosen in the third round (27th overall) in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, she made her professional bow with Polish club Gorzow. In her debut EuroLeague campaign with Gorzow, she averaged 9.7ppg and hit 19 against powerhouse Ros Casares. She missed the second half of the season to battle against patellar tendinitis in her knee, rehabbing at Bisham Abbey under the care of British Basketball’s medical support team. She has spent the 2011-12 campaign in Australia, playing in the WNBL for the national champions Bulleen Boomers under GB head coach Tom Maher. She had an impressive debut season in the starting five.

Jo has two sisters, Jennifer and Kirsty. Jen is a former Great Britain Under-20 and student international, who played alongside Jo at Franklin Pierce before becoming head coach at the university. She cites her best moment in basketball as watching the 2010 WNBA Draft. Her favourite Olympic memories are watching Sweden’s Carolina Kluft win the heptathlon and Kelly Holmes claim the 800/1500 metres double in 2004. She hopes to meet Usain Bolt in London.

Trivia: In 2011-12, her coach at Bulleen Boomers has been GB head coach Tom Maher.

Jo Leedham Caps: 54 GB Debut: 2006 v Norway Current Club: Bulleen Boomers (Australia) Twitter: @Joey_Leedham13

Position: Centre Height: 1.95m / 6-5 DOB: 13 March 1989 From: London, England

International Career: Azania played for England at Under-16 Level in 2004-2005 and was subsequently called up every year while studying in the USA. In 2009, she was a member of the GB Futures team at the World University Games in Belgrade where she averaged 11 points and a team-best 9.3 rebounds per game, including an 18 point-18 rebounds performance against world powerhouse the Czech Republic.

Her senior GB debut came in 2009 during a series of three test-matches against Croatia with her career-high of 23 points arriving in a tie against Romania. She appeared in all six games during the EuroBasket Women 2011 finals in Lithuania in 2011, averaging 4.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 20 minutes per game, while connecting on 47.6 percent from the floor.

Club career: Deportivo Zamarat (2012-) University of Florida (2008-2012), Notre Dame Academy, USA (2005-8), Haringey Angels (2003-5)

Stewart began playing basketball when she was 13 years old with Haringey Angels after she had been talent spotted while competing in netball. After moving to the USA to foster her basketball career she attended high school in Middleburg, Virginia, USA, where she won a scholarship to the University of Florida in 2008.

In her freshman year, she played in 28 of 32 games while in her sophomore season, she led the Southeastern Conference in field goal percentage (61.9%). By the end of the 2010-11 season, she topped the Gators all-time lists for career field goal percentage (56.2%). She was named as the Most Valuable Player of the Dead River Company Classic tournament, leading UF to the tournament title after she totalled 25 rebounds and 19 points in two games, including a collegiate career-high 14 rebounds in the championship game against Navy.

Azania grew up in Wood Green, London, and attended Alexandra Park School. Her father, Dexter, cycles the longest stage of the Tour de France each year with a local club. Her favourite Olympic memory was watching Usain Bolt break the 100m world record while attending the Beijing Olympics on the Olympic ambition programme. Her college degree is in sociology.

Trivia: Before her freshman season at Florida in 2008-2009, Stewart had to have a non-functioning kidney removed. She was subsequently listed as one of the finalists for the 2009 V Foundation Comeback Award.

Azania StewartCaps: 49 GB Debut: 2009 v Croatia Current Club: University of Florida (USA) Twitter: @Azania13

Position: Guard Height: 1.75m / 5- 9 DOB: 5 September 1988 From: Bermuda

International Career: Wade-Fray made her international debut in a test-match with Bulgaria in 2010 and that summer, helped GB to qualify for the EuroBasket Women 2011 finals. Injury forced her out of GB’s campaign last summer but after extensive rehabilitation she is back playing her best basketball.

Club career: UWIC Archers, UK (2011-), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2006-10).

Currently at UWIC Archers, Wade-Fray sat out the 2010-11 season due to injury. She previously spent four years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. By the time she graduated from UTC, Wade-Fray had played the most games in the school’s history: 131 (98 starts) and was a two-time All-Conference selection.

She is the daughter of Jennifer Fray and James Wade and has two brothers, Anthony and Justin.

Trivia: She holds a degree in psychology.

Caps: 33 GB Debut: 2010 v Bulgaria Current Club: UWIC Archers (UK)


Coach ProfilesPlayer Profiles


Player Profiles

Position: Guard Height: 1.76m / 5- 9 DOB: 27 June 1983 From: Burlington, Canada

International Career: Vanderwal made her Great Britain debut in 2010 against Portugal and was the team’s primary back-up guard at EuroBasket Women 2011 when she averaged 2 ppg.

Club career: University of Limerick (2009-), Donoughmore Iona Cork, Ireland (2007-9), Boston University, USA (2005-06), Hamilton Lions, Canada (2002-5)

After spending four seasons at Boston University in the USA, Vanderwal ventured overseas to play in the Irish Women’s SuperLeague, where she still remains. Her first two seasons she played with Donoughmore (Cork), where she won back-to-back cup and league titles, before playing the following season with Iona (Cork). In 2009, she signed for the University of Limerick and led the league in scoring. In 2011, she was named SuperLeague Player of the Year and helped her side to the National title. This season she captained the side not only to back-to-back SuperLeague titles, but also the coveted National Cup title.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Rachael qualifies for GB through her mother, Miriam Ewer (nee Stanley), who is originally from Merseyside. She has one older brother, Andy. Growing up Rachael played ice hockey, volleyball, and baseball.

Her sporting idol is Canadian basketballer Steve Nash.

Her favourite Olympic memory is watching Donovan Bailey break the world record and win gold in the men’s 100 metres at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Rachael teaches Physical Education at North Presentation Secondary School in Cork, Ireland, working with kids from ages 12-17.

Trivia: Rachael was a competitive figure skater until the age of 12 when she switched to basketball.

Jenaya Wade-Fray

Rachel VanderwalCaps: 45 GB Debut: 2010 v Portugal Current Club: University of Limerick (Ireland) Twitter: @RachVanderwal

Standard Life Senior Women’s Assistant Coach

Vanessa Ellis has one of the most prolific basketball backgrounds in England, male or female. She started in the sport in 1976 with the Sheffield Hatters and now 36 years later she is their Head Coach succeeding her mother, Betty Codona in the position.

Ellis played with the Hatters for nearly 30 years and through the 1990’s the Sheffield club won 27 of the possible 30 league titles up for grabs.

Now also assistant coach for the Standard Life GB senior women, Vanessa once represented GB herself at the 1985 World Student Games in Japan. In 1989 she played with England’s senior women and in her 11 years with the national team, she made nearly 60 playing appearances and captained the squad from 1994-2000.

In 2000 she retired as a player and began her coaching career as England’s senior women assistant coach, a position she held until 2005. In 2006 she was appointed head coach of Great Britain’s Under 20 Women and two years later was named assistant coach to the British senior squad – a position she holds to date.

Standard Life Senior Women’s Head Coach

Tom Maher has an impressive coaching CV at club and international level, leading Australia, as well as New Zealand and China to Olympic Games. Maher’s trips to the Olympics included bringing medals home, with a silver and bronze for Australia in 2000 and 1996 respectively and a fourth-placed finish for China in Beijing in 2008. He is now looking towards his fifth Olympics in London 2012 with the GB Standard Life women’s team.

In Australia, Maher currently coaches the Bulleen Boomers in the WNBL with GB player, Jo Leedham under his leadership there for the 2011/12 season. He is recognised as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the WNBL, winning six world championships and two coaches of the year awards. He was inducted into the Australia Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Maher took up the challenge of guiding the GB women’s team in May 2009, replacing Mark Clark. Maher led the women through a fantastic and historical EuroBasket Women 2011 finals campaign which saw the women go through to the second round of the competition, the furthest any Gb women’s side has ever gone.


Ken has just completed his 4th term as Assistant coach to the Great Britain’s Senior Women’s team. He was the Canadian National Men’s Basketball Team Coach and Program Director from 1989 to 1994. Previous to this and while at the University of Victoria Ken coached the BC Provincial Men’s Team, Canada’s Junior National Team and Canada’s B Team.

Ken also coached professionally in Japan from 1998 to 2000. He served as an Assistant Coach to the Japanese Men’s National Team in 2001. From 2002 through 2004 he served as an Assistant Coach with the Australian Men’s National Team which competed in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He served as a consultant to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2006 and as the Head Coach with the Georgian National Basketball Team in 2007. In all, Ken has worked with the National Teams of 5 different countries. Ken was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.


Damian has been involved with GB basketball since its inception in 2006, working with the Under-20 womens’ programme from its early competition in EuroBasket Division B, promotion to Division A and their recent inclusion in the World University Games.

As Head Coach to the Standard Life GB Under-20s he guided the side to the European Division B title in 2010. He now works as assistant coach for the senior women’s side in their build up to the summer of 2012.

Vanessa Ellis

Ken Shields

Damian Jennings

Tom Maher

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The Next Big DateWhilst the world’s eyes are on London 2012, British Basketball continues to build towards 2016, a programme which is known as ‘T16’.

The aim of the programme is to have both the Great Britain men’s and women’s team qualify in their own right for the 2016 Olympics which will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro.

Although 2012 is a key focus, the real challenge for British Basketball is to secure a lasting legacy from the Olympic Games, maximising on London Olympic performances to lay the foundation for regular world and Olympic participation, increasing the profile of basketball sport, hosting major basketball events, and further develop the standard of the national leagues and development programmes.

British Basketball’s Head of Performance, Warwick Cann leads the way with the T16 programme and 2011 was a big year in the development of this.

AOEThe Areas of Emphasis (AOE) and new coaching curriculum roll out across all the home nations was completed in 2011. It was targeted at leaders of the coaching community with each of the home nations being visited. A total of 330 England Performance coaches attended the AOE sessions, as well as 60 coaches from Wales and Scotland

FuturesThe new British Basketball Futures programme enjoyed its second year with some key successes.

The strategy of forming and preparing Futures players who are on the fringe of senior selection showed its effectiveness particularly with the men’s program with a number of Futures players making the senior EuroBasket squad including Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Ogo Adegboye, Devon Van Oostrum and Andrew Lawrence. Performance PathwayBritish Basketball continues to be committed to the home nations to establish a clear player and coach pathway in the UK. 2011 was the first time that all home nations worked together on the performance pathway to help develop basketball at the regional level and streamline the pathway.

The British Basketball combined camp for GB Under-20s brought respective men’s and women’s teams together to help develop a collaborative culture and Scotland Under-23 men were again invited into the camp to help their development of players and coaches alike.

Warwick Cann led the search for opportunities to bring international junior and youth competition to the home countries in 2011 and British Basketball brought in international teams to Wales and England for six games when GB Under-20s played international games in Cardiff and Colchester to give younger players exposure to international competition.

The British Basketball women’s Futures trained in Cardiff in preparation for the World University Games and invited all Wales coaches to come and observe.

GB Under-20sIn 2011, the GB Under-20 women achieved their best ever results with an eighth place finish in Division A European Championships where they defeated powerhouses France.

The GB Under-20 men also enjoyed success in 2011 with three players selected for the senior men’s squad at EuroBasket, proving that the Under-20s is a significant stepping stone to the senior squad.

Regional Institute of Basketball2011 saw British Basketball and England Basketball launch another key part of the towards 2016 (T16) strategy with the opening of the first ever Regional Institute of Basketball at the Barking Abbey School in London.

At its heart, the Regional Institute of Basketball initiative aims to provide an elite training and coaching environment in England for future national team players.

A one year pilot period was established in 2009 to help review the existing program and establish a framework as well as looking at a further roll out of the Regional Institute of Basketball model to other regions in the home countries.

Now after a thorough review period, British Basketball, in partnership with England Basketball and Barking Abbey School, established the UK’s first Regional Institute of Basketball which is secured for the next four years.

The Regional Institute of Basketball is a tri-party arrangement between British Basketball, England basketball and the Barking Abbey School. It is the point where the nation’s home talents have the opportunity to meet the lower reaches of the GB performance beam through working to a national curriculum designed to develop international senior players. The Regional Institute of Basketball supports players and coaches in areas that are important for development of international standard players and coaches.

The vision for the Regional Institutes of Basketball is to be the premier player and coach organisation for British players on home soil that is equal to, or better than, any equivalent of the best national federation programmes in the world for 16 to 19 year olds. It is expected that there will be four Regional Institute of Basketballs in operation by 2015.

The objective of the Regional Institute of Basketball is to be pioneering educational and elite youth basketball learning centres in the UK. As a leading youth basketball performance development centre it will offer a viable alternative to US high school and European Academies. This will enable British players to develop their basketball to an elite level without prejudice while completing their British schooling and living closer to family at a crucial time for players and families.

Towards2016

Staff and Board Members

Behind The Teams Success

Team Roles Women’s Team Men’s TeamAssistant Coach Ken Shields Nick Nurse

Assistant Coach Vanessa Ellis Paul Mokeski

Assistant Coach/Head Analyst Damian Jennings Tim Lewis

Performance Analyst David Bailey Monte Shubik

Team Manager Lucy Power Ron Wuotila

Assistant Team Manager Sarah Wagstaff Phil Waghorn

Physiotherapist Michelle Angus Fraser McKinney

Team Doctor Dr GB Dr Mark Gillett

Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Grantham Joe Rogowski

Team Staff Performance Director Chris Spice

Sport Scientist Tom Mockford

Chef Darren Manby

Nutritionist Sophie Killer

Osteopath Carl Todd

Masseur Pedro Phillipou

British Basketball FederationBoard MembersChairman BBF Bill McInnes

Director BBF Will Jones

Director BBF Kevin Pringle

Director BBF Keith Mair

Director BBF Phil John

Director BBF Terry Donovan

Board and Staff Chairman BPB Roger Moreland

Commercial Director Simon Tuckey

Company Secretary Will Calvert

Head of Performance Warwick Cann

Head of Commercial & Business Ops James Tombs

Operations Officer Beverley Kettlety

Training Centre Manager Louise Schneider

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Standard LifeStandard Life has been a partner of British Basketball since 2009 through its sponsorship of the GB Men’s, GB Women’s, GB Under 20 Men’s and GB Under 20 Women’s Teams.

The growing popularity of basketball has provided Standard Life with a fantastic opportunity to drive awareness of the Standard Life brand while supporting British Basketball and its established and emerging players.

Few countries have achieved such a meteoric rise in the basketball ranks as British Basketball over the past few years and we are excited to be working with such talent particularly as the GB Men’s and Women’s teams look forward to competing in the London Olympics 2012.

Building on last year’s sponsorship activation, Standard Life has an extensive engagement programme this year focused on raising awareness of the GB players and their matches in 2012.

You can find out more about Standard Life plc and its approach to sponsorship at www.standardlife.com

Sponsorship news is also shared on the Standard Life UK facebook page.

More information about long terms savings and investments such as pensions and ISAs, together with useful financial planning tools, is available at standardlife.co.uk

Press office and sponsorship teams

• Nicki Lundy, Senior Media Relations Manager, Standard Life, [email protected], tel: 0131 245 2737

• Laura Laidlaw, Sponsorship Manager, Standard Life, [email protected] tel: 0131 245 3369

• Alistair Warnock, Sponsorship Consultant, Standard Life, [email protected] tel: 0131 245 657

The Title Sponsor

The Partners

AdidasThe Adidas brand started when a humble shoemaker from a small rural town in Germany developed a range of sports products so original and perfect they were sought after by athletes from all over the world. Adi Dassler’s belief in sport and its endless possibilities remains at the heart of Adidas today. His philosophy was to equip all athletes enhancing their ability to achieve their impossible. This ethos is still at the core of the Adidas brand today, enabling athletes to communicate on a side-by-side platform with consumers so they too can achieve their own personal impossibles.

Adidas is devoted to performance, to innovation, to athletes and to fans.

www.adidas.com

OproOPRO has been manufacturing mouthguards in the UK since 1997 and now supplies numerous International and Professional clubs and individuals, as well as hundreds of thousands of amateur participants in contact sports, from all over the world. OPRO are delighted to be ‘Official Mouthguard Supplier’ to British Basketball.

MoltenEstablished in Japan in 1958, Molten is the world’s largest manufacturer of inflatable sports balls. For over fifty years Molten has been raising global standards in ball design and as a result many Molten balls, ranging from basketballs to footballs, handballs, netballs and volleyballs, carry international federation approval including that of FIBA, FIFA, FIVB and IHF.

Molten GL Basketball – the setting of a new standard for the future of basketball

Molten recognises the importance of harnessing new technologies when developing a new ball product, as well as listening carefully to player needs. The Molten GL basketball is a perfect example of the corporation’s unstinting approach to ball development.

Launched, just over five years ago, the Molten GL basketball set a new global standard for international play. It was designed by the world renowned Giugiaro Design, headed up by “Designer of the Century” Giorgetto Giugiaro, and is a stylish looking ball packed with the latest technology.

The principal element, which sets the Molten GL basketball apart from other balls, is its twelve panel design as opposed to the traditional eight. The additional panels provide extra seams, which in turn give players greater finger-tip control and improved accuracy when shooting and passing. Not only this, the new technology enhances rebound speeds, while the stylish two-tone design of orange and cream ensures greater visibility when the ball is in play. In short, a ball fit for the 21st century.

Today the Molten GL basketball is the official match ball for all FIBA events worldwide and is the official game ball for the GB Basketball Team, Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association, Basketball Ireland and British Basketball League.

Key facts about Standard Life• Established in 1825, Standard Life plc is a leading long term savings and investment company, with around six million customers internationally.

• By understanding our customers and offering innovative products to meet their needs, Standard Life helps people with their financial planning so they can feel more confident about their future.

• Standard Life provides a range of individual and group pensions, SIPPs, ISAs, annuities, life assurance, offshore bonds, investment management, wealth management, tax planning and estate management services.

• Headquartered in Edinburgh, Standard Life has a number of overseas operations, including in Canada, Ireland, Germany and Hong Kong, and has around 9,000 employees across the group.

• Standard Life plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has approximately 1.5 million individual shareholders in over 50 countries around the world.

• Standard Life plc is also listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI World) in recognition of its performance as one of the world’s leading sustainability-driven listed companies.

• Standard Life’s sponsorship portfolio is based on securing marketing partnerships which will reflect our brand values and positioning. Other existing partnerships include sponsorship of the Leven Amateur Golf, the world’s longest running amateur golf sponsorship, and Festival backstage with the Edinburgh International Festival.

Holiday InnAs the world’s largest hotel operator servicing over 153million guests annually, the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) is delighted to become an Official Supplier and Preferred Hotel Partner to British Basketball. With 4,480 hotels across nearly 100 countries world wide and in the UK, IHG operate the following hotel brands:

InterContinental Hotels; Crowne Plaza Hotels; Indigo Hotels; Holiday Inn Hotels; Holiday Inn Hotels; Staybridge Suites

With up to 35% discount on rates across the participating hotels, our partnership with the British Basketball has been designed to offer more affordable accommodation for the basketball family irrespective of whether you are a competitor, coach, parent or fan. See the savings you can make on your next trip either home or abroad

Please note that IHG are not the owners of their hotels and therefore it is important to understand that the ultimate decision in regards to rates and availability rests with the hotel owners themselves. IHG are essentially a global sales, marketing and management group.

LucozadeLucozade Sport, the Official Sports Nutrition Supplier of GB Basketball, provides support to players performing at the highest level, offering them a range of contaminant-tested sports nutrition products and support services. Lucozade Sport’s isotonic performance fluids provides our players with the fuel they need to sustain performance and the isotonic fluids they need to stay hydrated before, during and after games.

To find out who else Lucozade Sport helps go Faster. Stronger. For longer. visit youtube.com/Lucozade

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NotesNotes

GB Basketball

Useful Links British Basketball Union www.basketballbasketballunion.com

England Basketball www.englandbasketball.co.uk

Scotland Basketball www.basketballscotland.com

Wales Basketball www.basketballwales.com

NBA www.nba.com

British Basketball League www.bbl.org.uk

FIBA Europe www.fibaeurope.com

FIBA www.fiba.com

Road to London www.london2012.fiba.com

EuroBasket www.eurobasket.com

Key Contacts

Press OfficersSarah Jenkins: [email protected] +44(0)20 7096 5846

Lauren Foster [email protected] +44(0)20 7593 5253

Sign Up for the GB Basketball newsletter here:www.gbbasketball.com/fans/newsletter

To find out about media accreditation for GB Basketball events visit: www.gbbasketball.com/media/accreditation

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