Ireland U16 men's final-12 for FIBA Youth EuroBasket 2024 confirmed

Ireland U16 men’s head coach Paul Kelleher has confirmed his 12-man squad for this summer’s FIBA Youth EuroBasket following the conclusion of the Four Nations tournament in Dublin.

Ireland secured convincing wins against Wales and Scotland, before a 75-59 loss to England in the final for a second-place finish. Next on the agenda for the squad will be a trip to Luxembourg to compete in The Dussman Trophy.

Kieran Quinn and Lorcan Bailey-Morrow both led the squad by example during the Four Nations, finishing as team leaders in rebounds per game and points per game respectively to make the cut. Quinn’s inclusion alongside that of Nathan Gbinigie, gives coach Kelleher two players with FIBA Youth EuroBasket experience at his disposal. The other player with Four Nations experience in the squad, Neptune BC’s Deniss Brusevics is selected, having missed out at this point a year ago. 

Adam McCarthy, Shareef Elmahi, Jaoquin Pahinag, join Bailey-Morrow to give Dublin clubs four representatives in the squad. Brusevics and Oisin Tobin of Ballincollig make up the Cork contingent, while there are also places for Limerick Lions’ Fryderick Klimas and Mark Burns from Belfast Star.

Oisin Toibin (Ballincollig BC) carries the ball up the court during the Four Nations.

Three players based overseas make the grade. Joining the experienced Quinn is 6’1” forward Declan Ehigie from Westtown in the United States and AS Monaco guard Sean Patterson, who will still be eligible for the U16 squad next year.

“This was a heartbreak of a decision,” said head coach Paul Kelleher. “Being back with U16’s has been rewarding seeing these young men progress. The Basketball Ireland Academy structure has really brought the best out of these young men, along with their clubs. The depth of talent compared to when I was last U16 head coach shows the work being done.”

"We are leaving some really good players behind because of this,” he continued. “It’s heart-breaking, but also a credit to how our sport is evolving. We are excited about now preparing these 12 young men for the next step of competing at the FIBA Youth EuroBasket this August and all that comes in between.”

Ireland will start their FIBA Youth EuroBasket campaign in Skopje, Macedonia on August 8^th.

Ireland squad: Adam MacCarthy (Éanna), Shareef Elmahi (Dublin Lions), Jaoquin Patrick Pahinag (Oblates BC), Deniss Brucevics (Neptune BC), Oisin Toibin (Ballincollig BC), Sean Patterson (AS Monaco, France), Fryderick Klimas (Limerick Lions), Mark Burns (Belfast Star), Declan Ehigie (Westtown,USA), Lorcan Bailey Morrow (Ongar Chasers), Kieran Quinn (Gill St.Bernard’s, USA), Nathan Gbinigie (Titans BC).