05/06/08 NBA stars Luol Deng and Ben Gordon have been named in the 27-man GB training squad who will look to impress coach Chris Finch at the London selection camp in August. With London 2012 in mind a blend of youth and experience can be found in the squad with the likes of U20 players Dan Clark and Ryan Richards joining the glitz of the NBA pair, but it is the European based players whom Finch has highlighted as key components of his team. “It is by far the strongest list of names put out in the history of any of the home countries or GB, we’re really fortunate to have such a quality group,” said Finch. “But I think our greatest assets are our European players, we have a good core of experienced guys. “Robert Archibald, Andy Betts and Andrew Sullivan have been playing European ball for years and know both the international and the national game, so they bring both experience and quality which is going to be important as we take on tougher opposition.” Finch will assemble and assess his squad at their training camp in August at Brunel University, before making his final selection. Mark Clark was equally impressed with the names in his GB women’s squad, as he prepares for their training camp at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff next month. Like Finch, Clark was keen not to single out any one name in particular but rather emphasise the importance on a number of his players. “My initial thoughts are that it’s good to have so many names return from last year because it’s always good to have continuity,” said Clark. “Some of the leading charges will obviously be Megan Moody, Ros Mason and Lisa Hutchinson, but it’s also exciting to have Julie Page back and playing for GB along with Jo Leedham. I really think we have some new dimensions. “We developed a great team spirit last year and one of the challenges will be to build on that. There is a core group who will hopefully pick up from where we left off last year while the players joining for the first time have to get their quickly.” Men’s squad:
Women’s squad:
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