There are new faces and old amongst the Ireland men’s basketball team as they step up for their 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers this week against Kosovo and Switzerland. With Irish basketball, every test presents a new opportunity and head coach Mark Keenan knows that well
Mark Keenan is back at the helm but the roster has some new faces and one notable departure. The challenge is the same for Ireland, get results to climb up the ladder in basketball.
A fresh start
Thursday’s clash between Kosovo and Ireland isn’t just the beginning of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign for the visitors. It will be Ireland’s first ever World Cup qualifier.
“It’s exciting. We’re in the competition and looking forward to getting it under way. We know Kosovo had a very good campaign in the summer in EuroBasket qualifiers. They had good wins over Switzerland and a close game with Denmark,” Mark Keenan, head coach of the men’s Ireland basketball team, said.
“They’re a quality team, above us in the rankings. They’re a physical and mature side.”
Keenan is bringing along three uncapped players in his 12 man roster. There’s no naturalised player this time. Neal Quinn, who was in that slot in the summer, is busy with the Richmond Spiders in NCAA hoops (an issue not unique to the Irish basketball team in FIBA windows).
“With US based players not available, the team was always going to change. I’m delighted to have fresh blood in the team, the new guys are there on merit. It’s a great opportunity for them and we’re excited,” Keenan said.
A notable loss
The biggest absentee from the roster, even including those in the US, is undoubtedly John Carroll. The former Ireland captain has retired from basketball due to injuries.
“His injury had a massive bearing on that. He was out for a year and the work he did to try to get back for the games last summer took a toll on him. His life is moving in a different direction and he still wants to be involved in basketball,” Keenan said.
“I’ve talked to him about possibly coming back in and playing. His mind is firmly made up but he has been great for us. It’s a massive loss because he’s a great player and was one of our leaders.”
Raising the standard
Three of the 12 players in the Irish roster are currently playing professionally overseas: Taiwo Badmus, Seán Flood, and Matt Treacy. Keenan is confident more players from Ireland will turn professional in short order. It’s also something he expects to aid the development of Irish basketball in getting to grips with the challenges of FIBA ball.
“Over the next couple of years we’ll see that number move up. The number of guys in college that will come out in the next two years, there will be more. In two years, we could potentially have seven guys playing pro around the world.”
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Fully aware
Keenan knows his side will be underdogs for both of the games in this part of the qualification window. The Kosovo game in particular jumps out as one where he expects a physical challenge.
“We have to play at our top level, there’s no question about that. Things have to go right for us and we need big performances from our experienced guys. I’m sure we’ll get a spark of energy from some of the new blood as well,” he said.
“We have to play a perfect game. They’re an experienced side. Their top three or four guys are very mature. They play a similar style to Cyprus but at a higher quality.”
A notable moment
There’s a small bit of Irish basketball history being made by one of the debutants on Thursday night. Rapolas Buivydas of Tralee Warriors will become the first ever player of Lithuanian descent to play a senior international for Ireland.
“That didn’t even cross my mind. He’s Irish to me and I wasn’t even thinking about that element to be honest. He’s a great young player and had a very good season so far. There’s a proven track record there at underage,” Keenan said.
“We’re a bit undersized in some positions but Rap has shown that he might be 6’8” but definitely plays a couple of inches bigger. I’m delighted for him, he’s a great young man.”
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The pursuit continues
There were a couple of surprises from the Ireland head coach in his presser ahead of these 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Mark Keenan said that Ireland had made enquiries with both James Metecan Birsen of Fenerbahce and Conor Morgan of London Lions.
Birsen’s mother is Irish but Keenan said the Ireland camp hadn’t heard back from him. Morgan meanwhile would need special dispensation, having already played internationally for Canada. In both cases, Keenan said the pair seemed more focused on getting into the Turkey and Canada rosters right now.
“I know [Birsen] has recently been part of their international set-up. It was a long shot to reach out. I spoke to Conor Morgan as well but he is still firmly involved with the Canadian national team,” Keenan said.
Morgan would count as a naturalised player for Ireland were he to ever consider making the jump. The case with Birsen is different as it’s not publicly known what age he was when he got his Irish passport. Were it before he turned 16, then the Fenerbahce man would count as a native Irish player.
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