Mayo native helps Ireland Under 20s to fifth place finish at FIBA Youth EuroBasket
Ireland achieved their best ever finish at the FIBA Under 20 Youth EuroBasket, securing fifth place in Bratislava, Slovakia, their 5-2 record was pieced together by some incredible performances across the board, most notably by Harry Scully and Castlebar native Victor Okojie, who combined for over 200 points.
Head coach Thomas Walsh expressed his pride in the team after such a succesful campaign in Bratislava, praising their attitude on the big stage.
“To come away with a winning record at a FIBA Youth EuroBasket is challenging enough, but to come way with a 5-2 record is a testament to the character of these young men after two tough losses. These players earned every bit of that historic fifth place finish. We are so proud of them,” Walsh said.
North Macedonia, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Slovakia were drawn into Group A alongside Ireland, with each team understanding that a top two finish would secure a spot in the quarterfinal. Ireland kick-started their campaign with a 69-56 win over North Macedonia, where Mayo man Okojie recorded a monstrous 24 points.
A loss against semi-finalists Sweden and convincing wins against Azerbaijan and Slovakia sent Ireland straight into the quarterfinals, where Ukraine awaited them.
Ireland trailed by seven points at half-time against Ukraine but the squad hit the third quarter running, with clutch points from Declan Gbinigie, Fortune Igbokwe and Harry Scully to send then in front by four.
Ukraine’s Maksym Hryshchuk took charge of the game in the fourth, leading his squad to a 10-point victory, sending Ireland to the 5-8 classification games and eventually helping Ukraine reach the final.
Gustas Pocevicius starred for Ireland in their clash with Hungary in the 5-8 classification game, pulling Ireland into a 13-point lead before the final quarter. The Meath man boasted 21 points and six assists in Ireland’s win, guiding his country to the final classification game against Luxembourg.
Luxembourg and Ireland took similar paths to the final day, only losing to Sweden and Ukraine on the way. After Luxembourg took a two-point lead in the first quarter, Ireland turned the screw and launched an incredible offensive display.
Pocevicius, Gbinigie, Okojie, Scully and Igbokwe all reached double-digits in points, earning Walsh’s Ireland a fifth place finish.
Okojie, a former St. Gerald's College student who now plays US Division 1 college basketball with the University of Massachusetts Riverhawk team, recently made his debut for the Ireland senior team.