These days GB has a fairly decent youth set up. Running from U15 up to U21 you can usually see the progress of players as they develop their skills and ascend to the top level. I remember going to watch a tournament at Burgess Hill a few years back, and being impressed by the skills of Dan Clark and Matthew Bryan-Amaning.
Now they are fully fledged members of Team GB, with Clark playing an influential role in some of the key victories this summer. But another important name in the farcical Eurobasket qualification tournament, was Ogo Adegboye, and he has really come out of nowhere
A regular at the Midnight Madness event, Ogo was never involved in any of the national youth teams. He was never considered a serious prospect for Team GB. But the experience of the 6'0'' guard at NCAA Division I college St Bonaventure, and a shortage in the back-court catapulted the Nigerian-born Adegboye into the deep-end and the starting line up.
The point guard is such a crucial position at any level of basketball, and it was entrusted to Ogo, who stepped up and delivered highly mature performances for GB, playing an important role in many of the victories.
He's going into his final season of college this year and will no doubt he hoping to add a stellar season to his belt. He should face bigger and better competition for back-court minutes next time. Ben Gordon will be hopefully making his debut, plus the potential return of Jarrett Hart and Mike Lenzly and his young peers Justin Robinson, Devan Bailey, Andrew Lawrence and Devon van Oostrom to contend with.
No comments:
Post a Comment