Latest news with #Women'sEuroBasket
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland men's and women's squads confirmed for Summer Series against Norway
Eight uncapped players have been included in the Ireland men's and women's squad for the Jysk Summer Series against Norway. One of the newest members of the women's squad for the games, which will be played at the National Basketball arena on Saturday July 26th, is forward Lucy Coogan, who has enjoyed an excellent junior season with Caldwell University in the USA, moving to 16th on their all-time scoring list on 1,130 points. The Kilkenny native has been capped at every youth level, most recently with the Ireland U20 side a year ago. Guard's Erin Maguire, who has featured heavily on the FIBA 3x3 Women's World Series this summer and 21-year-old Maria Kealy from Donegal – another graduate of the Basketball Ireland Academy system – also earn their first call-ups. 32-year-old Lorraine Scanlon is rewarded for her role in helping Utility Trust St. Paul's to the Domino's Women's Super League Final this season with a call-up. Elsewhere there's a recall for Annaliese Murphy and Enya Maguire who missed out on our most recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket qualifier against Latvia at the National Basketball Arena, while Edel Thornton will captain the side as she continues her return from injury. 'I'm really looking forward to getting back in camp with this group,' said head coach James Weldon. 'The Jysk Summer Series gives me a good chance to look at Lucy, Maria Erin and Lorraine – as well as others – against strong opponents in Norway. "It's always great to introduce some new faces to the group and the energy that brings and with the draw for the next qualification campaign coming up later this month, these are really important games to set the tone for the coming months.' New Ireland senior men's head coach Michael Bree has also selected four uncapped players amongst a 20 strong squad for the friendly against Norway. His coaching staff of Paul Kelleher, Ciaran O'Sullivan, Colin O'Reilly and Shane O'Meara will take charge for the game, as Bree completes his contractual duties with Denmark before taking charge for the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifying campaign later this Autumn. Max Amadasun, Eoin Nelson, Jamie Muldowney and Sean Fitzpatrick are all in line for their first senior minutes after being included in the initial list. Amadasun has just finished his senior season at Augusta University, with the 6'9 centre averaging a 16-point double-double, starting 29 games. 25 year-old Eoin Nelson is another who will bring size and rebounding to the group after an impressive season with UCD Marian, while Jamie Muldowney and Sean Fitzpatrick both make the step up from the U20 programme for the Jysk Summer Series. Otherwise, there's a settled look to the squad, with all 12 of the players who lined out in Ireland's most recent FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan available for selection. 'It's an exciting time for both the new coaching staff and this talented group of players,' said lead coach Paul Kelleher. 'We've had some excellent results in the last qualifying campaign so now it's about building on that and this staff firmly believes that we have a group of players who are ready to bring Irish basketball to the next level. "Norway are fantastic opponents to bring to the National Basketball Arena. They're preparing for the next round of FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers in August and have some top level talent, so we know they're going to be at the top of their game in Dublin.' Ireland men's squad: Max Amadasun (Augusta University, USA), Eoin Nelson (UCD Marian), Neal Quinn (Aix Maurienne Savoie Basket, France), Sean Flood (Tartu, Estonia), Paul Dick (Killester BC), John Carroll (EJ Sligo All-Stars), Rapolas Buivydas (Garvey's Tralee Warriors), Jamie Muldowney (West Liberty College, USA), Conor Quinn (Belfast Star), James Hannigan (UCC Demons), Sean Fitzpatrick (Malahide BC), Sean Jenkins (Griffith College Éanna), Taiwo Badmus (Tindastoll, Iceland), Adrian O'Sullivan (Ballincollig BC), David Lehane (UCC Demons), Matt Treacy (Snaefell, Iceland) Sam Alajiki (Oral Roberts, USA), Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), James Gormley (Griffith College Éanna), Aidan Igiehon (Abbey Seals Dublin Lions). Ireland women's squad: Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics), Enya Maguire (Unattached), Erin Maguire (University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, USA), Kara McCleane (University of Galway Mystics), Kate Hickey, Sarah Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats), Lauryn Homan (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Abigail Rafferty (Oakland Wolves, USA), Ella O'Donnell (Quinnipiac University, USA), Lorraine Scanlon (Utility Trust St. Paul's), Bridget Herlihy (Unicaja Basket, Spain), Lucy Coogan (Caldwell University, USA), Maria Kealy (Quinnipiac University, USA), Annaliese Murphy (The Address UCC Glanmire).
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin women's basketball signs international center
Wisconsin women's basketball signs international center Wisconsin women's basketball landed a commitment from Croatian center Dorja Zaja on Friday. At 6-foot-3, Zaja joins the Badgers after suiting up for Croatia in FIBA's 2024 U20 Women's EuroBasket action. She played in six contests during the 2024 slate and averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per appearance. She also denied 15 shot attempts and snared 32 defensive boards as an anchor in the paint. In addition to her FIBA action, Zaja laced up for Tresnjevka in the Croatia-Premijer League. In 25 regular-season games, the future Badger accounted for 9.4 tallies in just under 21 minutes per contest. Zaja is currently playing in the postseason for Tresnjevka before traveling to Madison. Zaja is Wisconsin's seventh commitment under new head coach Robin Pingeton this offseason, following Illinois forward Shay Bollin, Stony Brook guard Breauna Ware, Howard guard Destiny Howell, NC State guard Laci Steele, Southern Illinois forward Gift Uchenna and Missouri State guard Kyrah Daniels, all of whom were transfer portal additions. While the Badgers' portal activity is encouraging for fans, the team needed to address the center position following the departure of standout forwards Serah Williams and Carter McCray following the season. Uchenna, Bollin and Zaja now figure to pick up those front-court minutes during the 2025-26 slate. Pingeton, who was hired following the resignation of coach Marisa Moseley this spring, has now finalized her roster for the 2025-26 season. The program experienced significant turnover after nearly every member of its 2024-25 roster departed via the transfer portal or graduation. Without Williams, arguably the greatest player to ever play for Wisconsin's program, the Badgers will ignite a new era of hoops under Pingeton. UW will look to improve on a 13-17 output last season, which also included a 4-14 record in Big Ten action. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 way-too-early reasons why the New York Liberty won't repeat as WNBA champions
3 way-too-early reasons why the New York Liberty won't repeat as WNBA champions Will the New York Liberty repeat as WNBA champions? That's one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 season as it begins this week. The Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx last year in a thrilling five-game series to capture the franchise's first title. Though winning was a collective effort, star Sabrina Ionescu had a defining moment that changed the series. Also, finals MVP Jonquel Jones and her consistency were key to the team's success, along with unsung hero Nyara Sabally. MORE WNBA: 2025 WNBA betting: Odds, picks for win totals, playoffs, awards, more While New York's championship roster is largely untouched, the Liberty experienced an offseason of change, including trading for guard Natasha Cloud. So, inevitably, the questions will start. Will the Liberty run it back? Do they have enough talent and depth to overcome the field? Here are three reasons why the Liberty won't repeat as WNBA champions. Reasons why Liberty won't win the 2025 WNBA championship 1. The Liberty can't replace the production of Betnijah Laney Hamilton Liberty forward Betjinah Laney-Hamilton won't play this year. Laney-Hamilton suffered an offseason knee injury (left meniscus) while playing in Unrivaled. Despite missing 12 games in 2024 with right knee issues, the Liberty veteran was a trusted source of offensive production, often hitting timely buckets while averaging 11.8 points and 4.2 rebounds throughout the season. What's more, Laney-Hamilton is arguably one of the most underrated defenders at her position in the WNBA. She can be a lockdown defender while withstanding the physicality that teams often throw at her, which makes her game so special and hard to replicate. Anyone who they throw into her role (standout Leonie Feibich, or otherwise) might struggle to create impact on both sides of the ball like Laney-Hamilton does. 2. EuroBasket absences will impact the Liberty's mid-season progress In June, FIBA will hold the Women's EuroBasket tournament. It's expected to run from June 18 to June 29 and feature Europe's top basketball teams. The tournament will also feature many WNBA athletes, including three players from the Liberty. Leonie Fiebich, Marine Johannès and Nyara Sabally will all be away from the team. At a minimum, they will miss around six games during that stretch and possibly more, given travel time and needed practices with their home countries. While New York isn't the only team impacted across the league and could certainly withstand those absences, being without them could prove costly if the Liberty can't come out above .500 during that stretch. 3. Repeating as WNBA champions is hard to do As cliché as it sounds, winning a championship, let alone two back-to-back, is hard to do. In the history of the WNBA, there have only been three teams to win consecutive championships. The Houston Comets won four titles, earning rings from 1997 to 2000, and the Los Angeles Sparks won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. Then, it took 21 years to get a repeat champion before the Las Vegas Aces did it in 2022 and 2023. The field will adjust in 2025. Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx will likely still be bitter about losing to New York the way they did. (Remember their meltdowns on defense and that questionable Game 5 Breanna Stewart foul?) Additionally, the Las Vegas Aces probably haven't forgotten about New York eliminating them from the playoffs and trolling the team on the way out. There are also teams like the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury (and more) who made huge offseason acquisitions to contend with the Liberty. The target on their back has grown, and so have the expectations.
