Latest news with #EuroBasket2025Qualifiers
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ireland consider withdrawing from FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers following draw with Israel
Basketball Ireland have issued a statement expressing concern over the ongoing crisis in Gaza, as they consider withdrawing from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers after being drawn in a group with Israel. At present, the governing body has spoken with FIBA Europe and are awaiting further clarification. "Basketball Ireland is extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza," they outlined in a press release on Wednesday. "And as such we are assessing our next steps following today's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers draw, which saw Ireland drawn in Group A alongside Israel, in addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg." This draw echoes a similar lottery that saw the Irish women's basketball team participate against Israel during the Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in November 2024. This fixture was met with protest from the Irish players who refused to shake hands with their opponents. Should Ireland fail to participate in their first away qualifier against Israel, they will be subject to a fine of up to €80,000. Subsequently, failure to take part in their return fixture against Israel will result in a fine of up to €100,000 and removal from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers and the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers. If Ireland elects to withdraw from the Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifying campaign altogether before it starts, they would be applied a fine of up to €30,000. Additionally, FIBA Europe rules state that they "may impose additional sanctions according to the FIBA Internal Regulations - Book 1 - General Provisions (Chapter 6)" which is concerned with 'disqualification from a competition in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions'.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Valkyries pick Lithuanian guard Jocytė at No. 5 in 2025 WNBA Draft
Valkyries pick Lithuanian guard Jocytė at No. 5 in 2025 WNBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Justė Jocytė made Bay Area history Monday as the first player ever to be drafted by the Golden State Valkyries. Advertisement The Valkyries selected the 19-year-old Lithuanian shooting guard at No. 5 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, adding a 6-foot-2, true three-level scorer to the roster ahead of their inaugural season. Jocytė played for French club Lyon in the BWL this season, averaging 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.2 minutes per game over 21 appearances alongside Dominique Malonga, whom the Seattle Storm selected No. 2 overall on Monday. While she was born in the United States in 2005 when her parents worked at the Embassy of Lithuania in Washington, D.C, Jocytė qualifies as an international player since she grew up in Lithuania and has played overseas her entire life. In the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, Jocytė averaged 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game across four contests. Advertisement Before the Valkyries selected Jocytė, the Dallas Wings picked UConn star Paige Bueckers at No. 1 overall, followed by Malonga at No. 2 (Storm), Sonia Citron at No. 3 (Washington Mystics) and Kiki Iriafen at No. 4 (Mystics). Golden State secured the fifth overall pick back in November during the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery. Jocytė joins a gritty Valkyries roster that already features 11 players acquired through the WNBA Expansion Draft in December — four guards, five forwards and two centers — highlighted by guard Kate Martin and center/forward Temi Fagbenle. Golden State also has been active in WNBA free agency, signing reigning Sixth Woman of the Year Tiffany Hayes in February. In addition to their No. 5 pick, the Valkyries also own the 17th and 30th overall picks in the draft. The 2025 draft has three rounds, with 12 picks in the first round and 13 picks in the second and third rounds The Valkyries will kick off their first season at home against the Los Angeles Sparks at 7 p.m. on May 16 at Chase Center.
