European Championship team has to plan without NBA’s Burke

IRELAND will be without NBA star Pat Burke tomorrow when the senior men play Denmark in the final series of the European Championship play-offs for Division A at the National Basketball Arena (5pm).

Burke had to return to his new NBA team the Phoenix Suns last Monday after the Slovakian game and has since not been released.

“It is very disappointing for us but especially for him, if there was any way he could be here on Saturday he would, but it is up to the Suns,” Ireland head coach Gerry Fitzpatrick said. “There is a possibility he may be released for the Denmark away game on the 24th but we will not know until next week.”