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August 2 - Jamie Vanderbeken (pictured), a Canadian who qualifies to play for Britain's basketball team thanks to a Scottish mother, has pledged his loyalty to his adopted country through to the London 2012 Olympics.

 

The 21-year-old centre has rejected the opportunity to play for his native Canada to declare himself for Britain, who are expected to be given an automatic entry to the Olympics as the host country.

 

Vanderbeken, who is 6ft 11in and was born in Belleville, Ontario, is able to play for Britain as his mother Eleanor is from Hamilton in Scotland and he has dual nationality.

 

The Iowa University student was last week named as part of a 17-man squad for Game On At the O2, a four-team tournament at London’s O2 Arena.

 

Britain's coach Chris Finch is due to pick his final squad of 12 for the European Championships in Poland in September after the tournament.

 

Vanderbeken said: "Even if I don’t make it, the competition I’ll be playing against in tryouts alone will be beneficial to bring what I learned back here.”

 

Only one British-based player, Leicester's Flinder Boyd, has made the squad and Vanderbeken is keen to quiz the other members to broaden his experience, even though Chicago Bulls Luol Deng and Detroit Pistons Ben Gordon will be missing.

 

Toronto Raptors forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu is expected to be a team leader.

 

Other national team contenders currently at colleges in the United States include Randall Hanke from Providence and Justin Robinson from Rider University.

 

The majority of the other athletes are currently playing in Europe, although some, like former Illinois player Robert Archibald, played in the NCAA.

 

Vanderbeken said: "It’ll give me a chance, if I have questions, to ask guys about it.

 

"Pops Mensa-Bonsu, Archibald, a bunch of other guys who played in the US and Europe.

 

“It is a great opportunity.

 

"Just being able to play on any national team would be a real honour.

 

"I will go there and do my best.

 

“I’m just trying to make the most of it, to get exposure to make the team.

 

"And even if I don’t make the team this year, I want to leave a good impression so I can come back next year, make the team by [London] 2012.”

 

Britain's first match in Game On At the O2 is against European Championship hosts Poland on August 14

 

Tickets for the event still on sale.

 

For more information go to www.gameongb.com.