By:
Conor Martin
Sligo native and former Ireland captain Michael Bree has been appointed head coach of the Ireland men’s basketball team.
Bree will take over from Mark Keeenan, who stepped down in April, and will manage the national side on a four-year contract from the 1st of September.
Bree wore the green jersey between 2000 and 2006, playing over 40 times for his country. He is currently the assistant manager of the Danish national side.
The 45-year old also coached the Swedish national team at U16 and U18 levels and with Gothenburg’s Högsbo Basket. He enjoyed an eight-year playing career after playing basketball in the USA in the NCAA Division 1 programme at Davidson College in North Carolina.
The new Ireland manager would spend those eight years in between France, Germany, Spain, Poland and Sweden from 2002 – 2010.
https://twitter.com/BballIrl/status/1940002453451047075
Michael Bree era is an exciting one for Ireland basketball
Following his appointment, Bree spoke of his ambition to drive Ireland on as a basketball-playing nation:
“I am delighted and honoured to be taking on this new role within Basketball Ireland. I’m ecstatic to have the good fortune to represent our basketball nation once again on the international stage.
“We are an emerging nation within the international basketball community, and to have the opportunity to add value to the programme is immensely motivating and makes me very proud. Throughout my career, Irish basketball has presented me with so many wonderful experiences and opened numerous doors to new and exciting possibilities.
“The growth in the sport in the country over the last couple of years has been tremendous. I want to help continue that, get us to new levels and compete with some of the best in Europe. It’s a big task, but one I’m optimistic about and want to drive for.”
“My wish is to offer at least as much in return as we navigate the potential challenges that high-level competitive international basketball can present.”
Ireland’s first outing under Bree will be in the November qualifying window, when Ireland begins their EuroBasket 2029 campaign.
https://twitter.com/BballIrl/status/1940015560881766454
Ireland head coach vacancy generated worldwide interest
Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan spoke of his optimism for the future of the Irish side following Bree’s appointment and added the role attracted a lot of attention not just in Ireland but around the world:
“There’s been a huge interest in this position from coaches at home, in Europe and beyond, which is a testament to the growing respect for the ability of Irish players to compete at the highest level.
“Michael’s commitment to the ongoing development of Irish basketball mirrors Basketball Ireland’s ambition for the growth of the sport. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the role over the next four years.”
Categories
- Athletics (5)
- Aussie Rules (1)
- Basketball (12)
- Camogie (3)
- College American football (1)
- Combat (185)
- Cricket (17)
- Cycling (4)
- Darts (36)
- Editors-picks (13)
- Football (1210)
- Formula-1 (14)
- GAA (308)
- Golf (162)
- Hockey (1)
- Horse Racing (172)
- interviews (3)
- LGFA (3)
- MLB Baseball (2)
- NFL (23)
- ROI Radar (1)
- Rowing (1)
- Rugby (188)
- Snooker (6)
- Swimming (3)
- Tennis (17)
- Uncategorized (17)
- WWE (1)
