Sports: Coventry

Coventry Basketball Scholars Selected to English Universities Team

Zewe Sinkala and Chima Obikwelu make 12-man roster for England Squad.

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English Universities Sport (EUS) announced on Wednesday that second year center, Chima Obikwelu and freshman guard, Zewe Sinkala have been selected as part of the basketball team for EUS for this summer. The Coventry duo, who are both sports scholars on the men's basketball first team, were selected from comepetitive trials held at the end of June 2023, with over 60 players vying for 12 spots. England Head Coach, Danny Williams, was impressed by the players' display of skill, which earned them a place on the team.

  

Sinkala and Obikwelu also play in Basketball England's National League with our Coventry Flames men's team. Over the course of the 22/23 season, Sinkala averaged 10 points and 2.5 steals a game, whilst Obikwelu averaged 20 points and 13 rebounds a game, leading the team in both categories.

Chima Obikwelu in basketball kit, smiling during a Coventry University basketball game

On the journey to his first EUS appearance, Sinkala says, "Being selected for England University Basketball team was a huge honour. Initially, I was nominated by Coach Rob Eddon, and was later sent to trials in the middle of June. Trials were very good and I was excited to play with some of the best players in the country. During trials, I performed well and a few days later, Coach Danny Williams contacted me to inform me I had made the team. I was extremely happy and relieved to know I had made the squad and would be representing Coventry in the English University team."

A shot of Zewe Sinkala dunking a basketball, taken from behind

The England side played their first game of the season in Swansea on Saturday 1st July 2023, defeating Wales 100-90. As the youngest player on the squad, Sinkala saw the fixture as an opportunity to soak up knowledge from the older, more experienced players, including his teammate, Obikwelu, whilst representing the England side.

The EUS team will compete again in December 2023, with fixture details to be confirmed in the near future.

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