GB call up for Washington for EuroBasket games
LEICESTER Riders point guard Conner Washington has been called up by Great Britain for their rearranged EuroBasket games in France.
Washington, right, was in the original 24 squad selected, and his recent performances have meant he has earned a slot on the plane.
Great Britain are in a qualifying group with France, Germany and Montenegro.
GB face FIBA sixth-ranked France and Montenegro (26th ranked) in the Pau bubble in what were scheduled to be home games before Covid-19 played havoc with the sporting calendar.
GB play France on Friday and Montenegro on Sunday. Both games tip off at 1700 GMT.
But despite being rated 42nd in the world, GB will go into the pair of qualifiers for the 2022 finals in confident mood.
All four nations in the group have a 1-1 record and GB go into the games coming off a strong win over Germany in Newcastle in February.
With Riders already shorthanded due to injuries, Washington’s selection means Leicester’s final North Group qualifying match in the BBL Cup against Sheffield Sharks will be rescheduled from Friday to early December at the Morningside Arena.
Riders have also confirmed that they are likely to be without centre Mo Walker and forward Raheem
May-Thompson for the remainder of the season.
Walker pulled up in the home fixture versus London Lions earlier this month and after scans revealed a hamstring tear, he will see a specialist this week and undergo surgery.
Walker missed the whole of last season with a hamstring injury on the other leg.
May-Thompson was injured in practice ahead of the season, rupturing his achilles.
The club expects both players to make a full recovery but the likelihood of them being back this season is small.