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.

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.”