Teesside Lions Star Jaydon Wise-Malcolm Selected for Great Britain U16 Final Squad

Teesside Lions are thrilled to announce that standout prospect Jaydon Wise-Malcolm has been selected in the final 12-man squad for the Great Britain Under-16 national team.

The announcement marks a huge achievement for the young forward and a proud moment for Teesside Lions as the club continues to establish itself as a hub for elite youth basketball development in the UK.

Jaydon will now represent GB at the FIBA U16 European Championship Division B, taking place in Skopje, North Macedonia, as the country’s top young talents prepare to face off against the best in Europe.

Jaydon recently made a strong impression on his Great Britain debut during a preparatory fixture against Slovakia. In a thrilling 98–89 win, the Teesside star contributed a brow raising 9 rebounds & 5 blocked shots, to go along with 6 points & 2 steals.

The performance drew praise from coaches and spectators alike, highlighting Wise-Malcolm’s tenacity, athleticism, length, and impact on both ends of the floor, but particularly on defence where his timing and presence caused real problems for the opposition.

The FIBA U16 European Championship Division B begins on Thursday 7th August, with Great Britain tipping off their campaign against Austria in Group C. This game tips at 10am. They will also face Portugal on Friday 8th at 10am, Sweden on Saturday 9th at 8pm, and Montenegro on Monday 11th August at 3pm.

The top two teams from each group progress to the quarter-finals, as GB aim to earn promotion to Division A.

Fans can watch all games live via the official FIBA YouTube channel, bringing the action straight to UK audiences. A full schedule will be available on Fibaeurope.com and shared across GB Basketball and Teesside Lions social media.

The youngster who will join Bede College this year in their debut season in the CBL was over the moon with the news, and grateful to the club and coaches who helped him achieve his dream, adding:

“James, Ryan & Serge have all played a massive role in my development, pushing me when I needed it, and always supporting me. The Teesside Lions coaches continue to challenge me to get better and provide me with opportunities like playing for the men’s team to help me become the best version of myself. 

“To get to this stage, where I have been selected to represent my country is such an honour and I want to thanks all the coaches at Lions along with my family and team mates who have supported me.”

Jaydon’s selection is a glowing endorsement of the player development model at Teesside Lions, and a proud moment for the coaching staff and youth programme. Having progressed through the club’s junior ranks, he has become known for his explosive athleticism, elite shot-blocking, versatility, and defensive discipline — all traits that have translated seamlessly to international level.

Lions U16 Coach Ryan Weir, who has worked closely with Jaydon, said:

Jaydon is a brilliant young player with the right mindset. He’s always focused, always eager to learn, and what he’s achieved already is a credit to his hard work. He deserves this opportunity and we’re confident he’ll continue to make a big impact.”

Teesside Lions Coach James Thomson added:

“We’re incredibly proud of Jaydon. To reach this level at his age is a huge accomplishment and a great reflection of his dedication and application. Jaydon came to us at 14 years old as a relative beginner to basketball, and his improvements since have been phenomenal. 

“Jaydon is our first GB player, so it is also a proud day for myself and the club. We have worked hard over many years to build a development programme to propel players to the highest level. This shows what is possible with dedication, the right environment, and support. Everyone at Teesside Lions will be behind him all the way.”

From the courts of Teesside to the European stage, Jaydon Wise-Malcolm is flying the flag for British basketball — and inspiring the next generation. When the Eurobasket campaign is finished Jaydon will return to the Lions where he will play for the Men’s team in NBL1, U18s and Bede College in the CBL. 

Supporters can follow Jaydon’s journey via:

Teesside Lions social media (@TeessideLions)

GB Basketball channels (@gbbasketball)

Live coverage on FIBA YouTube throughout the tournament