\n<\/p>\n
The immediate priority for the sport has been enabling the GB team to compete in the November international window.<\/p>\n
Basketball England has worked with the SLB to deliver the game against Lithuania, while other stakeholders – such as UK Sport and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – are involved to plot a way forward.<\/p>\n
Lasker believes this chaotic moment could still be a turning point.<\/p>\n
With the NBA looking to launch a new Europe-based league in 2027, including potential London and Manchester franchises, he says the opportunity is “massive”.<\/p>\n
“It gives the sport a chance to hit the reset button and build a solid foundation,” added the American.<\/p>\n
“If we take advantage, British basketball could explode quickly. If we don’t, we may never get another opportunity like this.”<\/p>\n
Sanjay Bhandari, SLB interim chair, says lessons need to be learned, admitting the crisis “shows the risks and dangers of insufficiently challenging governance” and the sport needs a governance review.<\/p>\n
Steutel agrees change is essential, adding: “We need people who can drive the sport forward performance-wise, commercially, administratively, financially.”<\/p>\n
More immediately, though, his team have a match to play.<\/p>\n
The unsavoury saga has been unsettling for the players, but GB guard Josh Ward-Hibbert believes it will not affect their performance against Lithuania.<\/p>\n
“You hear rumblings of uncertainty within the federation and the league – it can be concerning,” he said. “But you just try to control what you can.<\/p>\n
“Everyone understands where we are as a group and gives everything they can to push the national team forward.”<\/p>\n
Given the major concerns earlier this month, that the match is even taking place is already progress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n