Ireland U18 men’s head coach Kelleher names 17-person squad for Four Nations

Ireland U18 men’s head coach Paul Kelleher has named his 17-person squad for the upcoming Four Nations tournament, which takes place in Cardiff on April 12^th-13^th as the team continues its preparations for the FIBA U18 European Championship.

Two players are in line for their first international appearances - Stanley Njekwe (Manchester Giants) and Victor Okajie (BC Taurus). Five players who played in last year’s FIBA U18 European Championship return, including Aivaras Uosis who has been named captain. The other players are Tony Ezeonu (J. Addison Academy), Jack Kehoe (Old Leighlin/SETU Carlow), Joseph Badejo (Dundalk Ravens) and Daniel Carberry (Templeogue).

Tony Ezeonu in action for Ireland's U18's at last year's FIBA U18 European Championship

Four players who played at the FIBA U16 European Championships make the step up - Joshua Osayanrhion (Tralee Magic/Garvey’s Tralee Warriors), Declan Gbinigie (Titans BC), Harry Scully (Dublin Lions) and Jakub Malecki (Drogheda Wolves).

Head coach Paul Kelleher said: “The process to date has been really enjoyable. The commitment of the players both on and off the court has been joy for our staff to be around. Some really really good players haven’t been selected to move forward with the programme, hence the depth of talent we have within the squad. With the Four Nations around the corner in Cardiff, and the FIBA U18 European Championship brought forward significantly this year, the time was right to move the squad forward. It’s a squad you can clearly see has experience at various levels and hopefully with that ability and experience together now, we can continue to grow as a group in all areas.”

Ireland U18 men's head coach Paul Kelleher

New captain Aivaras Uosis, who has been playing in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League with Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, said: “It’s beyond a privilege and an honour to represent Ireland as captain. It’s exciting looking ahead to our campaign, especially with how enjoyable the last programme was. I’m looking forward to building on it starting with the Four Nations, with this squad coming back with experience from last summers U16 and U18 European Championships. A massive thank you to our loyal sponsors AWM Contracts too, for making all of this possible this year again.”

AWM Contracts Ltd. have extended their partnership with the U18 men’s team for this season, their CEO Aidan Morris stated: “What a fantastic season the Irish U18 men’s basketball team had in 2022, with a number of home series and the FIBA European Championships. So much so that AWM Contracts Ltd is pleased to sponsor the team once again for 2023. The sponsorship will assist them in their continued success, both home and abroad. Best of luck to the team, Paul and all the backroom support.”

Name	Position	Height	Caps	Club	School
Joseph Badejo	F	6’8”	20	Dundalk Ravens	De La Salle Dundalk
Leo Byrne	F	6’8”	2	Alvik Basket	Kungsholmen
Daniel Carberry	G	6’2”	23	Templeogue	Templeogue College
Daryl Cuff	G	6’2”	6	Blue Demons BC/Feltrim Academy	Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG
Tony Ezeonu	PG	6’5”	21	Titans BC	J Addison Academy, Ontario
Declan Gbinigie	F	6’6”	13	Titans BC	Colaiste Muire Galway
Jack Kehoe	G/F	6’5”	21	Old Leighlin/SETU Carlow	Knockbeg College Carlow
Jakub Malecki	F	6’7”	13	Drogheda Wolves	St Josephs CBS
Stanley Njekwe	G/F	6’4”	0	Manchester Giants	Xaverian College
Rory O’Flynn	G	6’0”	2	Ballincollig BC	Ballincollig CS
Victor Okojie	F	6’8”	0	BC Taurus	St Aidan's CBS Whitehall
Joshua Osayanrhion	F	6’7”	13	Tralee Magic/Garvey’s Tralee Warriors	CBS The Green
Liam Price	G	6’3”	2	Limerick Lions	St Munchin's College
Harry Scully	PG	6’0”	13	Dublin Lions	Colaiste Chiarain
Daniel Shahab	G	6’2”	2	Limerick Lions	Castletroy College
Dan Sheridan	PG	5’8”	2	Killester BC	St Fintan’s Sutton
Aivaras Uosis	G/F	6'6"	20	Tralee Magic/Garvey’s Tralee Warriors	Pobalscoil Chorca Dhúibhn