Bravo-Harriott riding emotional high

SZOMBATHELY (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Before a ball had even been thrown up at EuroBasket Women 2015, Great Britain rising star Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott had a smile across her face which spanned from ear-to-ear.

Not that the teenager had let her new team-mates see her glee at the precise moment it was confirmed she would be heading to EuroBasket Women.

"When I was told that I was going to Hungary, I didn't want to embarrass myself, so I held back my cheesy grin," laughed Bravo-Harriott.

"But just be absolutely sure, I was definitely having a party inside my own head!

"I can't actually remember who I spoke to first after I was told, but I definitely had conversations with people close to me and who have been important in my basketball career.

"My mum was excited and knowing her, she would have sent the news to her whole contact list before I told anyone else.

"I also told my club coach and University coach, Dan Bowmaker and Tricia Cullop, who were also very proud of me."

It's been a rollercoaster ride for Bravo-Harriott, having simply been thrilled to have even got an invite to the camp - let alone a major FIBA tournament.

Indeed she is adamant that she felt daunted when she arrived at the University of Worcester during the start of preparations, but has grown hugely during the warm-up process.

"At first I was really scared and did not think I'd even survive one week, let alone the whole camp," confessed Bravo-Harriot.

"After a few sessions I was then able to hold my own and a few players complimented me on that, which I think boosted my confidence.

"I've also now learned just how fit you really need to be to play this game. I've been told many times before, but the reality kicks in when you're at a senior camp.

I need to focus on playing smart and composed, but I also need to be aggressive. - Bravo-Harriett

"I also better appreciate the structure of GB basketball, which is very technical but that only makes me better.

"Once I was able to get my head around this stuff, it made it much easier to play."

"Now I just want to help the team as much as I can and play my role.

"This tournament is a great opportunity to try and hold my own against some of the best players in the world.

"Off the court I need to make sure I am mentally and physically prepared."

Yet Bravo-Harriott isn't the only British prospect on the roster making her debut in Hungary. She has been thrown into the fray alongside another U20 eligible player in Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby.

"It makes things a lot easier," revealed the Londoner.

"Even though Harriet has attended senior camps before, it's nice to know someone who I've played with for a few years in other national teams.

"It's also nice knowing a few of the other players who were part of Haringey Angels set-up in London - including Azania Stewart, Temi Fagbenle and Ella Clark.

The team as a whole has been so welcoming and they have made it easy to feel part of the group. - Bravo-Harriett

One of the key reasons that Bravo-Harriott has made it to Hungary and Romania is that she became an instant hit in her maiden season of college basketball in the States with Toledo.

That gave her serious impetus and having won rave reviews and a MAC Freshman of the Year award for her first year efforts, it is all the more impressive that she wasn't even fully healthy when she first stepped onto USA soil.

"It was tough and from practicing only two days a week with my club team to three hours every day was a huge adjustment," she recalled.

"I arrived at Toledo with an injury from the last European Championship I played in, so I was behind in terms of conditioning and getting into the style of play.

"But as soon as I overcame that and developed a rhythm in my shot, my Freshman year stayed on the rise.

"While it didn't end the way we wanted to, achieving what we did with such a young team has only made me optimistic for the upcoming years."

Go to www.EuroBasketWomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA