Great Britain's men's basketball team has secured three NBA-linked players for their EuroBasket 2029 qualifying double-header against Switzerland and Slovakia. Head coach Marc Steutel named Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams, forward Tosan Evbuomwan, and Dallas Mavericks draftee Tobi Lawal, though Lawal later became unavailable. The trio represent three of the four most recent British NBA players, alongside New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby.

Steutel credited general manager Dan Clark, a 2012 Olympian, for years of relationship-building with Williams and Newcastle-born Evbuomwan. Timing was crucial: this August window falls between NBA seasons, unlike previous qualifiers that clashed. Evbuomwan, 25, recently joined Barcelona after three NBA seasons, while Williams, 24, made 23 appearances for Boston last season.

GB face Switzerland away Thursday and host Slovakia in Newcastle Sunday, entering the second of three preliminary rounds. Topping the group advances them to full qualifying; failure leads to another preliminary round next year. "We feel really excited about this group," Steutel said, noting NBA and EuroLeague clubs were supportive of player release.