Jordan and the 23 herald Ireland's return

With Ireland set to finally return to international basketball, Emmet Ryan looks at the context for the best prospect this country has produced in decades

In the autumn, Jordan Blount will suit up with the University of Illinois Chicago, playing regularly in front of 7,000 fans in college basketball

Jordan Blount has known all about the absence but it's only barely touched him. The most promising basketball player to come off this island, male or female, in decades hasn't had to wait as much as his older team mates. Ireland hasn't played a men's international at adult level since 2009, the women lasted until 2010. Next month that finally changes.

With the 24 players for Ireland's two senior squads confirmed over the ...