Zona set for first cap, as new Ireland head coach Michael Bree names squad for FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers

American-born Matt Zona is set earn his first cap for Ireland, following his selection by new head coach Michael Bree for next week’s FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers against Luxembourg and North Macedonia.

6’ 9” forward Zona, who has dual citizenship, was captain of Fordham Rams last season, playing 33 games in NCAA Division 1. Prior to this he played with Notre Dame for four seasons.

Max Amadasun, who earned his first international cap in a friendly against Norway in July, is in line for his FIBA EuroBasket bow. The 6’ 9” centre is now playing in Spain with Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa Baloncesto, having ran up impressive numbers in his senior year with Augusta University Jaguars, where he averaged a 16-point double-double and started 29 games last season.

Taiwo Badmus returns to the squad, after injury ruled him out of the November 2024 and February 2025 windows of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers. Badmus also didn’t feature in the friendly games against Norway last summer. 

Ireland faced Norway twice at home in July, losing 87-79 in game one, before registering a 82-77 win in game two. They travel to Luxembourg next Thursday in their FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers opener tipping off at 6.30pm. It is followed by a home game three days later, at 5pm on Sunday 30^th November, at the National Basketball Arena. Both games will be shown live on TG4.

It will be the first international for Ireland men’s head coach Michael Bree, having officially taken over the role on September 1^st.

“I am really excited to start my tenure as Ireland head coach, my staff did a great job during the summer in the friendly games against Norway, which have provided ideal preparation for our FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers next week. We have assembled a strong squad, with plenty experience and I’m really looking forward to working with the players, as we look to hit the ground running in our first game of the campaign away against Luxembourg”, Bree said.

Speaking about the selection of Zona, Bree added: “Matt receiving his first national team cap will not just be a personal achievement; it's will be a testament to the dedication and hard work that has brought him here. It's an honour to represent your country and it’s something that I am sure he will cherish forever. We welcome him and are delighted to have him join our troop.”

Ireland are Group A in the first round of FIBA Basketball 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, alongside North Macedonia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. Ireland’s fixtures will take place over three windows, November, February/March and July.

The three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed team will advance to the second round of FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, where they will be joined by eight teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers First Round.

Tickets for Ireland’s FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifier against North Macedonia on Sunday 30^th November can be purchased here.

Ireland men’s squad

Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), Sean Jenkins (Griffith College Éanna), Taiwo Badmus (Tindastoll Korfubolti, Iceland) Sean Flood (unattached), John Carroll (EJ Sligo All-Stars), Matt Treacy (Snaefell Basketball, Iceland), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Max Amadasun (Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa Baloncesto, Spain), Matt Zona (Cheshire Phoenix), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig) 

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers Fixtures

Thursday 27^th November

Luxembourg v Ireland 1830, Centre National Sportif & Culturel d'Coque, Live on TG4 Player and App

Sunday 30^th November, 2025

Ireland v North Macedona, 1700, National Basketball Arena, Live on TG4

Friday 27^th February, 2026

Ireland v Azebaijan, Time TBC, National Basketball Arena

Monday 2^nd March, 2026

Ireland v Luxembourg, Time TBC, National Basketball Arena

Thursday 2^nd July, 2026

Luxembourg v Ireland, Venue/Time TBC 

Sunday 5^th July, 2026

Azerbaijan v Ireland, Venue/Time TBC