Standout former Colonial Pops Mensah-Bonsu will represent his country – and GW – at the 2012 London Olympics later this month after officially being named to Great Britain’s men’s basketball team.
He was one of 12 players named to the team, Great Britain’s first since the 1948 Olympics. Mensah-Bonsu currently plays for the Beskitas professional basketball team in Turkey, where he enjoyed significant success last season, including claiming the Turkish Cup in February.
“The experience at the holding camp in Loughborough has made us all realise that the Olympics are just around the corner,” Mensah-Bonsu told the Haringey Independent. “I am proud to be a member of this team and can’t wait to represent my country on the largest stage.”
Mensah-Bonsu was a fan-favorite at GW. Known for his skill at blocking shots and slamming back dunks, he averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in his final season for the Colonials. GW went 26-2 overall that season and did not lose an Atlantic 10 game before falling in the second round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament to top seeded Duke.