Squad of 28 selected for Ireland U16 MNT programme for 2025/26

Ireland U16 men's head coach Emer Howard has announced an initial squad of 28 players to work with in preparation for FIBA Youth EuroBasket 2026. Nojus Vasikauskas of Declan's BC is the sole returning player from a successful final-12 man roster in Howard's first year in charge. 

Hubert Gocek also comes back in his final year of eligibility at U16 level, after the Limerick Celtics player sustained a serious injury prior to last summer's tournament in North Macedonia. Ireland finished the competition with a 4/4 record, beating Slovakia, North Macedonia, Cyprus and Great Britain to secure a 12th place finish despite picking up a couple of injuries to some key components. 

The Ireland head coach has selected players from eight counties for her second year in the role - Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Louth and Sligo, while three players, Oscar Karlen, Luke O'Reilly and Conor Brooks are based overseas at high school or prep school in the United States. Kestrels BC in Portarlington, Co. Laois and St. Mary's BC in Castleisland Co. Kerry and Portlaoise Panthers are the clubs with the highest number of players on the roster - three. Two players are included from another trio - Limerick Celtics, Titans BC and Templeogue BC. 

Speaking about the announcement of her squad, head coach Emer Howard said: "We are excited to begin our preparations to compete at FIBA Youth EuroBasket next August. Thanks to all of the players who tried out, and to the clubs and Basketball Ireland's Regional Academy coaches that have produced the players that we will now to continue their development to hopefully become international-level players ."