Eli Brooks has missed out on a possible Ireland debut in the upcoming EuroBasket pre-qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg due to a delay in his paperwork being processed.
Ireland head coach Michael Bree had hoped to include the US-born point guard, who qualifies for the country through his grandfather, in his 12-man squad for the double-header. However, the Basquet Manresa player must wait a little longer to don the Ireland jersey.
Eoin Nelson and Sean Fitzpatrick are in line for their first Ireland caps, while Ryan Leonard could make his EuroBasket debut.
CJ Fulton, who is playing in the G-League in the US with Minnesota Wolves' reserve team Iowa Wolves, is set for his first Ireland appearance since August 2023.
The Ireland squad assemble on Wednesday, ahead of their opening game of the window against Azerbaijan on Friday.
Speaking at the final-12 announcement, Bree said: "We’ve gathered a really strong squad and I’m looking forward to getting the guys on the court.
"We’ve had plenty of get-togethers online to go through things, so we can hit the ground running when everyone is in camp.
"Eli Brooks didn’t make the 12, but he’ll be available for selection for our next FIBA EuroBasket window in the summer.
"We’re just focusing on the 12 we have now, we’ve got plenty of exciting talent, with the likes of CJ Fulton, Neal Quinn and Sean Flood, and picking up wins in this window is something we’re determined to achieve."
Ireland captain Sean Flood added: "We’re raring to go, we’re targeting two wins in this window to get our campaign back on track.
"Being at home for both these fixtures will be huge, as our home crowd really back us to the hilt and create an amazing atmosphere at the National Basketball Arena."
Ireland's two pre-qualifiers to date ended in defeat to Luxembourg and North Macedonia, with those rivals leading the way in the Group A standings.
The three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed team from three first-round groups will advance to the second round of EuroBasket pre-qualifiers, where they will be joined by eight teams from the Basketball World Cup European qualifiers first round.
Ireland squad
Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), CJ Fulton (Iowa Wolves), Sean Flood (unattached), Sean Fitzpatrick (UCD Marian), Ryan Leonard (Limerick Sport Eagles), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Matt Zona (Cheshire Phoenix, UK), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), Eoin Nelson (Energywise Ireland Neptune), James Gormley (Griifth College Éanna)
FIBA EuroBasket pre-qualifiers
Friday, 27 February
Ireland v Azerbaijan, 7.30pm, National Basketball Arena
Monday, 2 March
Ireland v Luxembourg, 7.30pm
