Garbelotto quits as Great Britain coach for personal reasons

LONDON (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Tony Garbelotto has stepped down as coach of Great Britain's national team for personal reasons, British Basketball has announced.

The move comes with the Brits, who suffered close defeats at home to Greece and away to Estonia in the November World Cup Qualifiers, traveling to face Israel (1-1) on February 23 and then Greece (2-0) on February 25.

In a statement, British Basketball Performance Director, Mark Clark said: "All at British Basketball wish Tony well for the future and thank him for the work he has undertaken with the GB Men.

"With the next FIBA World Cup Qualifying window fast approaching, the current assistant coach of the GB men's national team, Alberto Lorenzo, will act as head coach for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualification games in February."

Garbelotto and Great Britain were on the cusp of an incredible come-from-behind victory over Greece in Leicester on November 24 before Ioannis Athinaiou hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining in overtime for the visitors. The Greeks added a free-throw and won, 95-92.

The Brits then played at Estonia and again nearly pulled off an amazing comeback, only to fall, 73-70.

Great Britain's players will meet in Tel Aviv on February 19 for a short training camp before taking on Israel.

FIBA