Samuelson ready to fire for Great Britain in bid to reach new heights

RIGA (Latvia) - Karlie Samuelson could provide the spark that Great Britain need in order to embark on a historic run at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019.

The sharp-shooting guard made her senior debut during the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers to help secure a Final Round return for GB, who have yet to make it to the Quarter-Finals stage in three previous appearances.

 

Samuelson's arrival into camp - alongside Polish League MVP, Temi Fagbenle - was preceded by a 42-point loss against Sweden, but performances since took on an upwards curve with a home double over Canada before avenging the aforementioned defeat.

However, their most encouraging display would ultimately also end in defeat. GB's ability to go toe-to-toe with the reigning FIBA Women's EuroBasket champions, Spain in front of a passionate crowd in Fuenlabrada gives reason for optimism heading into this week.

"It feels good to have had our whole squad together for nearly two weeks now," says Samuelson - one of five tournament debutantes on the GB roster. "This is one of the most fun teams I've ever played on and the reason I want to keep coming back and playing.

"We play together well and had good prep games, especially the two games in Spain as those teams are in the tournament.

"It was a really good experience being on Spain's home court, too, as obviously we play Latvia in our first game. It was a wild crowd.

"In tough situations when Spain would go ahead, we just kept rallying together and that's important."

La Roja await again on Friday following GB's opener against the tournament co-hosts, while Ukraine complete the Group A lineup that poses potential for Chema Buceta's side to finally break into the top eight, although it remains far from a straight-forward task.

"We have to take it game-by-game," states Samuelson. "It's a pretty typical answer, but it is true. This tournament is pretty crazy and any team can win. I truly think every game will be close, especially in our bracket.

"Our goal is just to get out of the group and then take it from there."

Samuelson produced a red-hot display with 11 of her game-high 21 points in the opening quarter in GB's agonizing 67-65 prep defeat to Spain and the California native's form comes off the back of making her bow in EuroLeague Women competition last season.

An 18-point showing led Castors Braine to an opening 63-60 success over Famila Schio in the 2018-19 Regular Season before enduring a tough end to the campaign without another victory in their next 13 games.

"Playing in EuroLeague Women was quite the experience, the teams are crazy good," she declares.

"The European style is obviously different from college and the WNBA and even the national teams are different because players have played with each other for so long.

"But I like playing at all different levels - it has prepared me for this as well as given me different perspectives."

Karlie's younger sister, Katie Lou, will be next to take on European adventures following a move to French side Carolo Basket. The 22-year-old hit the headlines as the fourth pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft - a 'really special' moment they shared as a family.

 

"I always tell her, though, that I made the WNBA first so I have that over her," Karlie laughs, having played for the Los Angeles Sparks. "She's going to play in France next season which is her first time overseas, so she’ll be watching these games and I’m excited for her to go over there and play."

With her family watching on, Samuelson's own promise offers a new ray of hope for GB among an experienced roster. Capped centurions Stef Collins, Chantelle Handy and Rachael Vanderwal are set for their fourth Final Round appearance, while leading lights Johannah Leedham-Warner and Fagbenle continue to shine.

"It's about keeping our head in the game. All of these games are going to be close so whether you go up by six, down by eight or whatever, you need to make sure we keep in it and having that chance of winning at the end.

"Spain is Spain. We experienced them so know how they are; Latvia with a home crowd is always tough and Ukraine are really good too.

"It goes to show that it's tough just to even get here and all of these games are going to be fun to watch.

Samuelson concludes: "A lot of my teammates have played a few [FIBA Women's] EuroBasket tournaments before, but I've not experienced it so just being here is pretty special for me."

 FIBA