British Basketball was dealt a blow last year when UK Sport decided to cut its funding entirely following poor results at London 2012, however, on appeal, Britain's basketball governing body was awarded £7 million (£11.5 million/€8.5 million) in funds over a four-year period dependant on certain "strict performance criteria" being met.

Part of these criteria were based on the performances of both the men's and women's teams at last year's EuroBasket competitions, with a top six result expected of the men, and top eight for the women.

Although failing to meet these targets, performances by each team were among the best seen in British basketball history, with the men equalling their result at the 2011 EuroBasket despite missing key talismen such as National Basketball Association (NBA) stars Luol Deng and Joel Freeland.

The women missed out on a place in the quarter-finals due to their head-to-head record against the Czech Republic, who they finished level on points with during the group stages.

The GB women missed out on a place in the quarter-finals at last Summer's EuroBasket due to their head-to-head result against the Czech Republic, after finishing level on points with them during the group stage ©Getty Images



Due to these performances, and the ongoing development of basketball within the United Kingdom, Roger Moreland, performance chairman at British Basketball, remains confident British Basketball can convince UK Sport to continue its funding.

"We hope we've done enough to demonstrate that we think we can be in a good place by 2020, and we base that on if you look at the improvement and achievements in the age group team over the last three years," he said.

"We believe that you can go from being, say, an England under-18 to an experienced and competing GB international within a period of, say, six to eight years.

"We're in the right zone.

"Things are moving across the board so they give good indications and that's what we'll be building our arguments on.

"Their system is based on the potential to win medals and that's basically it.

"We think that when you take, for example, the participation base that's there and you look at the new Sport England figures that have come out, which put basketball number two to football in terms of team sport, those types of things show the size and reach of basketball with the different demographic.

"With the athletic potential it's got.

"With the ability to put the systems in place as we've done over the last three years with things like the area of emphasis to improve skills and the programmes, and the way they've been put in place.

"The individual accolades that have come to a lot of the players.

"They're all things where we're trying to demonstrate to show that there is future medal-winning potential worthy of support without necessarily having won the medals to date.

"Ours is a journey and we think it's an exciting journey so part of our story is about - come on the journey with us."

Players have taken to social media to urge UK Sport to continue their funding of British Basketball ©Facebook

UK Sport's decision is set to be announced on Tuesday (February 4) with many GB players turning to social media to urge the body to back British Basketball in the build-up to Rio 2016 and beyond.

Team GB captain Drew Sullivan led the way with these messages, posting a statement on Instagram in a final plea to UK Sport ahead of their meeting.

"Why our National Basketball teams need continued funding," he wrote.

"For me personally representing my country whether it be friendly games, Eurobasket or the Olympics it has been the highlight of my playing career.

"I sincerely hope that the national teams are able to receive continued support so younger players can experience the same pride that I have when I put my jersey on and hearing the national anthem being played.

"I honestly think that all of our national teams are making huge steps.

"It is only a matter of time and experience but we are putting ourselves amongst the medals.

"The talent that is coming through our juniors and futures programs are getting better and better.

"Those programs in my humble opinion are and should continue to be the life blood to our senior teams."

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