Ireland U20 men's squad finalised for FIBA Youth EuroBasket

Ireland head coach Thomas Walsh believes he has landed on a balanced squad following some tough selections decisions ahead of the FIBA U20 Men’s Youth EuroBasket. 

There are five debutants at this level – Cathal O’Sullivan (Éanna BC), Olaf Michalczuk (Tralee Warriors), Paul Ryan (St.Vincents), Tobi Ogunbare (Ongar Chasers) and Kieran Otabor (Surrey Scorchers).

Michalczuk and O’Sullivan are no strangers to one another after facing off in the U20 Men’s National League Final at the National Basketball Arena in April. Michalczuk’s Tralee Warriors took the win 96-91 on that occasion, but the pair combined for 63-points in a shootout.

Four more make the step up from the U18 squad for the first time – Daryl Cuff (Blue Demons), Jack Kehoe (SETU Carlow), Aivaras Uosis (Tralee Warriors) and Joseph Badejo (Dundalk Ravens). Uosis captained that side and finished the FIBA Youth EuroBasket with a healthy 14.7ppg, while Cuff led his team in assists for the tournament with 3.1 dimes per game. 

Walsh returns just one player from his squad that finished 16^th a year ago, Ruairi Cronin (Limerick Celtics). Cronin averaged 12.7 points, 2.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds playing with another year of eligibility in 2023. 6’5” point-guard Sean Fitzpatrick (Malahide BC) and 6’5” guard Greg Marinkovic-Augustine are no strangers to the international scene, previously representing Ireland at U18 level.

Head coach Thomas Walsh said of the selection: “The U20 roster is always a tough team to put together with so many Irish players playing overseas and the local players doing so well here in Ireland. We have a few players returning with FIBA Youth EuroBasket experience at different levels. I`m very proud of the players that will be wearing the green jersey for the first time. I think we have a well balanced team and staff ready for Romania in July.” 

Ireland have been drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside Great Britain, Portugal, Netherlands and Azerbaijan in the 2024 FIBA Youth EuroBasket in Romania, opening with a game against Great Britain on July 12^th at 4:30pm.

Ireland Squad: Cathal O'Sullivan (Éanna BC), Daryl Cuff (Blue Demons), Sean Fitzpatrick (Malahide BC), Jack Kehoe (SETU Carlow), Olaf Michalczuk (Tralee Warriors), Greg Marinkovic Augustine (Templogue BC), Ruairi Cronin (Limerick Celtics, University of St Joseph's, Connecticut) Aivaras Uosis (Tralee Warriors, The Hill School, Pennsylvania), Paul Ryan (St Vincent's), Joe Badejo (Dundalk Ravens, Andrews Osborne Academy, Ohio), Tobi Ogunbare (Ongar Chasers, Millersville University, PA), Kieran Otabor (Surrey Scorchers, UK).