Myles Hesson, an experienced forward and member of Great Britain’s EuroBasket 2025 roster, spoke to Basketball Sphere.
Great Britain entered this year’s EuroBasket as one of the underdogs, but that didn’t mean they would come waving a ‘white flag’. The roster, composed of both experienced and young players, came seeking new experience, which will undoubtedly be very valuable for them in the next major competitions they play.
For Basketball Sphere, one of the most experienced members of Great Britain’s roster, Myles Hesson, spoke. He is 35 years old and has had an extremely interesting career. It’s enough to say that during his career he has played in six different countries across three continents. His best season came with the Saga Balloners, a second-tier Japanese team, where he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Claim Now Last season, Myles Hesson played for Neptunas, where he averaged just under 10 points per game. He has been actively representing Great Britain since 2013, when he moved from the youth squad to the senior national team. In the first three games of EuroBasket 2025, he is averaging 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
BS: You’re competing in your third EuroBasket tournament. How has your role evolved in this squad compared to previous editions?
“I’m more experienced now so I know what to expect coming into a tournament like this. My role is still pretty much the same, I’m still trying to give as much as I can to the team on both ends of the floor.”
BS: When opponents go big and physical, are you expected to play as a true four or slide up to the five — and how does that change your gameplan?
“We have some lineups where I play some 5 and some where I play the 3, my natural position is the 4 but I’m versatile enough to play most positions. I’ll do whatever the coach needs.”
BS: Which national team in your group poses the toughest matchup for you personally?
“They all are good teams, obviously Germany could be considered the toughest team because they are the current world champions. Lithuanias size was really tough for us to deal with as you can see by how many rebounds they were able to get.”
BS: Great Britain has never advanced past the group stage in six previous appearances. What tactical or psychological edge does this team possess that could finally change that?
“Just our willpower and the success we’ve had in the windows, hopefully that carries over and we can make a few upsets.”
BS: What are the team’s main goals for EuroBasket 2025?
“To make it through the group stage is our first main goal.”
BS: How do you see the development of basketball in Great Britain? Are the new generations showing signs of being stronger and more competitive?
“It’s great to see all the young talent coming through, we have more guys playing at high levels now than in recent years. The future is very promising.”
BS: You’ve played basketball on three different continents. How would you best compare the level of basketball in those places? What are the main differences?
“The style of basketball really differents from country to country, rather than by continent. Some places allow more physicality than others. Some places play a more up tempo style and others a more calculated slower game.”
BS: You’re 35 years old, in the later stage of your career. How long do you plan to keep playing, and do you intend to transition into coaching afterward?
“Hopefully I have a few more years left god willing. I’m not sure about life after basketball yet, but I definitely intend on being involved in the sport at some level” – Myles Hesson concluded.
More EuroBasket picks:
EuroBasket 2025 – Rosters of all national teams
EuroBasket 2025, starting on August 27, will be the central topic of discussion in the coming period, alongside basketball transfers in Europe and worldwide.
National team gatherings across the Old Continent have already begun, and coaches have announced extended player lists, with only 12 players from each team set to secure their plane tickets for EuroBasket 2025.
EuroBasket 2025 will be hosted by four countries – Cyprus, Poland, Finland, and Latvia.
The final phase of the competition, meaning all national team matches after the group stage, will be played in Latvia, specifically in Riga, with the final scheduled for September 14.
