Devan Bailey is aiming to establish himself as part of Great Britain’s basketball squad after impressing for the national side.
Cheshire Phoenix guard Bailey, 25, was named in the starting five for last week’s EuroBasket qualifiers against Iceland in Reykjavik and Bosnia at London’s Copper Box Arena.
Bailey, from Helsby, was a late addition to the GB squad but impressed head coach Joel Prunty, a former assistant coach at NBA franchise Brooklyn Nets, with his displays at training camp.
Despite losing both games, Bailey, who represented GB back in 2010, says he has seen enough to suggest that British basketball is on the rise, evidenced by a near sell-out 7,000 crowd for the game against Bosnia in London.
“It feels fantastic to be part of the GB team again and I think we’ve got a strong team, but we didn’t show what we are capable of in the two games,” he said.
“It was great to get a start and coming in to the training camp I didn’t think that I would be in the starting five for the games.
“But the coach spoke to me during practise and said what he expected of me. It’s amazing to work with someone like him as he has worked with some of the greatest players to play the game and has operated at the top level in the NBA.”
The absence of NBA stars such as Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Joel Freeland has meant that the door has been opened to other homegrown talent, a major plus according to Bailey.
“It has given others like myself the chance to shine and show what we can do and I think we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.
“To play in front of 7,000 people in London and to hear their support was just amazing.
“To be part of the GB squad is great but I want to establish myself at the highest level.
“I want to stand out at the top level and I’m aiming to be a big player for the Nix in the BBL.”
