Head Coach Mark Keenan names extended Ireland squad for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers

Ireland head coach Mark Keenan has named four new players in his extended 21-man squad ahead of their four FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers games with Croatia and Luxembourg. Forwards Neal Quinn and Sam Alajiki, shooting guard Conor O’Sullivan and guard Ryan Leonard are in line for their international debuts. 

New Jersey-born Neal Quinn (University of Richmond), whose dad hails from Clondalkin, brings a sizeable presence at 7ft and has recently been playing alongside CJ Fulton at Lafayette. Corkman Conor O’Sullivan, who helped Ulster University to promotion to the InsureMyVan.ie Super League last season, is rewarded for his form since returning from college in the USA two seasons ago. Dundalk native Sam Alajiki makes the step up from Ireland U20’s, the 6’7” forward played a key role in steering the side to five wins from their six matches at last season’s FIBA U20 European Championship. Kerry’s Ryan Leonard (St. Mary’s, USA) is another who has come through the Ireland underage set-up, the 24-year-old having played at U16, U18 and U20 level. 

Ireland captain John Carroll returns to the squad after his recovery from an ACL injury, which he picked up 13 months ago and forced him to miss last season. Paul Dick and Matt Treacy are both in line for his FIBA EuroBasket debuts.

Head coach Mark Keenan said: “I am delighted with the squad available for selection for upcoming FIBA EuroBasket games against Croatia and Luxembourg. We head to Switzerland this week for two behind closed doors warm-up games, which will provide crucial court time. Continuity is important, but we’re always looking to bring in fresh blood and I’ve been impressed with what I have seen in training so far from Neal Quinn and Ryan Leonard and I’m looking forward to working with Sam Alajiki, who will be joining up with us later this week. It's great to have John Carroll back after his injury, he’s raring to go and pull on the green jersey once more.”

Taiwo Badmus comes into the squad off the back of winning the Icelandic national championship with club side Saudarkrokur Tindastoll. Along with Conor O’Sullivan, there is a strong Cork respesentation in the squad, with Emporium Cork Basketball duo Adrian O’Sullivan and Keelan Cairns and Neptune pair Jordan Blount and Cian Heaphy. 

Ireland begin their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3 campaign away against Croatia on July 19^th, followed by a trip to Luxembourg seven days later. They finish Group G by hosting Croatia on July 29^th and Luxembourg on August 5^th at the National Basketball Arena. All four games will be broadcast live on TG4 and spectator tickets can be purchased here. 

Mark Keenan’s final 12 wil be announced at 11am on Monday 17^th July, with the team to fly out to Croatia later that day.

Ireland FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3

Group G fixtures:

July 19th

Croatia v Ireland, 1900, Centar Zamet, Rijeka (Live on TG4)

July 26th

Luxembourg v Ireland 1915, Centre National Sportif & Culturel d'Coque, Luxembourg (Live on TG4)

July 29th

Ireland v Croatia, 1430, National Basketball Arena (Live on TG4)

August 5^th

Ireland v Luxembourg, 1930, National Basketball Arena (Live on TG4)

Ireland men’s extended squad:

John Carroll (unattached), Sean Flood (unattached), CJ Fulton (Charleston, USA), Conor Quinn (Belfast Star), Conor O’Sullivan (Ulster University), Adrian O’Sullivan (Emporium Cork Basketball), Lorcan Murphy (Templeogue), Paul Dick (Killester), Cian Heaphy (Neptune), Sam Alajiki (Rice University, USA), Ryan Leonard (St. Mary’s, USA), Taiwo Badmus (Saudarkrokur Tindastoll, Iceland), Eoin Quigley (Garvey’s Tralee Warriors), Matt Treacy (Moy Tolka Rovers), Keelan Cairns (Emporium Cork Basketball), Jordan Blount (Neptune), James Gormley (Templeogue), Aidan Harris Igiehon (Abilene Christian Men’s Basketball, USA), Neal Quinn (University of Richmond), Will Hanley (unattached), Brian Fitzpatrick (KR, Iceland).