Fulton returns to Ireland squad for double-header

CJ Fulton is set to make his first Ireland appearance in over two years after being named in a 13-man squad for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2029 pre-qualifiers.

Fulton has not featured for the national side since August 2023 because of his college commitments in the United States, where he played for Lafayette and Charleston Cougars.

The 23-year-old guard played two summer league games for the Minnesota Timberwolves before signing a professional deal with the NBA side in September.

He was then waived to the Iowa Wolves, the Timberwolves' reserve side, and has been playing in the G-League, the NBA's team-affiliated development division.

After defeats by Luxembourg and North Macedonia in November, Ireland face Azerbaijan on 27 February and Luxembourg on 2 March in Dublin.

"It's great to have CJ back in the Ireland set-up, he's really had a stellar college career in the States with Lafayette and Charleston Cougars," said Ireland head coach Michael Bree, who was appointed last summer.

"His hard work and dedication were rewarded last year with his pro deal with Minnesota Timberwolves. Naturally we've spoken a number of times since I took over in September and I'm really looking forward to working with him."

Uncapped Eoin Nelson, Sean Fitzpatrick and America-born Eli Brooks have also been named in Bree's squad.

South Carolina-born point guard Brooks plays for Spanish side Basquet Manresa and qualifies for Ireland through his Belfast-born grandfather.

Centre Nelson was called up to the previous squad for the North Macedonia game but did not feature, while guard Fitzpatrick did not make it on to the court against Norway last summer after making an extended 20-man squad.

There is also a return for James Gormley, who missed the Luxembourg and North Macedonia games, but Taiwo Badmus, Sean Jenkins and Max Amadasun are out injured while John Carroll is unavailable due to personal commitments.

"Eoin and James, at 6ft 8ins and 7ft, both bring size to the equation and have been playing well with their respective clubs, as has Sean Fitzpatrick," added Bree.

"It's great to be able to bring in someone of the calibre of Eli Brooks too, who has been playing EuroCup basketball with his club Basquet Manresa and has experience playing in Germany and Italy too."

The three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed team from three first round groups will advance to the second round of pre-qualifiers, where they will be joined by eight teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers first round.

Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), CJ Fulton (Iowa Wolves), Eli Brooks (Basquet Manresa, Spain), 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)