International

Jun 24 2026

Michael Bree eyes 'potential' for Ireland ahead of FIBA 2029 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers

Ireland senior men's head coach Michael Bree is 'optimistic about the potential' in his new look squad ahead of two FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers on the road against North Macedonia and Azerbaijan next week.

Former Ireland U20 international quartet Declan Gibinigie, Victor Okojie, Tiernan Stynes and Aivaras Uosis join Leeroy Odiahi and Canadian born Ben Stevens in Bree's squad for the games in Skopje and Baku on Thursday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 5th respectively. Prior to that, Ireland travel to Los Angeles to play Armenia in the Los Angeles Basketball Cup at 01:00 on Sunday night Irish time, a game that gives Bree the chance to put his squad through their paces for two tough away assignments.

Michael Bree speaking to the Irish squad at the National Basketball Arena, Dublin

Speaking following the conclusion of their first practice session of the window, the Ireland head coach was emphasising the opportunity that awaits for his young group: "Armenia is a great opportunity for us. It’s a game where we can sample some things, look at different players, give them more of a chance and give them an opportunity to fail, essentially," said Bree, who's team enter the window on the back of a 91-85 win against Luxembourg in Dublin in their last competitive outing in March.

"Our first training session went really, really well. I'm quite optimistic about who they are and what they can do as a team. There is so much potential and the opportunity is there for us as a group. The one thing they're all lacking is a little bit of experience. They're all really talented individuals. They're all coming from different backgrounds or in different situations, whether it's college or professionally," he added.

Sean Flood, Adrian O'Sullivan, Sam Alajiki and Rapolas Buivydas provide the FIBA EuroBasket qualifying experience in the final roster, a fact that one potential debutant Declan Gbinigie, is taking full advantage of. "It's nice to get the leadership and the guidance from the senior players and I think they're really taking us under their wing,” said Declan Gbignie, who was part of the Titans BC squad who reached the Domino’s Men’s Division One Final earlier this year, scoring six points on the day for the Galway club. "There's a few guys in the squad who I've played underage with as well, like Aivaras, Victor and Tiernan, so I kind of know some of the guys and might have played against them and I'm excited for the experience of the games to come."

Sean Flood at Irish national team practice in the National Basketball Arena

North Macedonia and Azerbaijan both picked up wins on their visit to the National Basketball Arena in Dublin in the corresponding fixtures, but a much changed Ireland squad hasn't dented the optimism of Bree that turning the tables on their opponents is possible next week. "A lot of times with national teams, it's more about the chemistry and the cohesion when you're on the floor, trying to fit the pieces together,” he chimed.

The Ireland squad will arrive in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 25th, before travelling to Skopje for their first FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifier of the window against North Macedonia on Thursday, July 2nd live on the TG4 Player. Ireland will play again on Sunday, July 5th against Azerbaijan live on TG4 in Baku to close out their latest qualifying campaign.

Ireland Squad:

Max Amadasun (Cultural Y Deportiva Leonesa, SPA), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), Sean Flood (Heroes Den Bosch, NED), Sean Fitzpatrick (UCD Marian), Sam Alajiki (Giorgio Tesi Group Pistona, ITA), Declan Gbinigie (Titans BC), Aivaras Uosis (Carsen Newman University, USA), Ben Stevens (Alliance Monteral, CAN), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig BC), Tiernan Stynes (Quincy University, USA), Leeroy Odiahi (Western Kentucky, USA), Victor Okojie (UMass Lowell, USA).