Twenty-five minutes on the court, 21 points on the board, and a debut to remember in Fribourg. Tosan Evbuomwan, the former NBA forward who joined Barcelona this summer, helped Great Britain cruise to a 110-75 win over Switzerland to kick off their 2029 EuroBasket pre-qualifying campaign — and they did it with stars from two of basketball's biggest stages wearing the red, white and navy for the first time.
Evbuomwan wasn't the only newcomer making a first appearance for the senior side. Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams also pulled on the GB jersey for the first time, posting eight points and seven rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. Together, the pair brought a fresh dose of top-level quality that coach Marc Steutel's team used to control the game from start to finish.
Great Britain won every single quarter, taking the first two periods by six points each. By the end of the third quarter they led 79-51, and the fourth became a chance to rest key players with an eye on Sunday's clash against Slovakia in Newcastle. Josh Uduje topped the scoring chart with 24 points for the visitors.
It was a statement start — especially given the stakes. This was Great Britain's first competitive match since missing out on qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, and they responded by looking comfortable from the opening whistle. Ranked 45th in the world, with Switzerland 16 places below them, GB played exactly like the favourites the numbers suggested.
Evbuomwan brought real NBA pedigree to the group. He spent three years in the league, making 50 appearances before his summer move to Barcelona — and he showed why, adding 21 points in his 25 efficient minutes. Williams, fresh off his first season with the Celtics, added the paint presence and rebounding muscle that made the whole unit tick.
The task now is clear. Great Britain host Switzerland again at home on November 29, then travel to Slovakia on February 25, 2027. Top their pre-qualifying group and they earn a place in full qualifying during 2028 and 2029; finish anywhere else, and they'll face a third round of pre-qualifying in 2027.
Win those remaining fixtures and this convincing start could be remembered as the moment a new-look Great Britain announced itself. With two NBA-calibre debuts under their belt and a goal difference to relish, there's real reason for fans to feel hopeful about the road ahead.