Ex-Cal Star Kristine Anigwe, Great Britain Battle For Potential 2024 Olympic Qualifying

Former Cal star Kristine Anigwe had 14 points and 10 rebounds but missed two crucial free throws with 19 seconds as Great Britain lost 62-61 to Germany on Sunday to complete pool play at FIBA EuroBasket 2023, an Olympic qualifying tournament at Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Cal’s career scoring and rebounding leader, Anigwe was born in London, raised in Phoenix and has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Britain. She has represented the British in international play for several years.

The 26-year-old has averaged 12.0 points and a tournament-leading 11.7 rebounds through three games of the tournament that is a step toward qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Britain wound up third in its C group of pool play, beating Slovenia 87-74 before 63-57 losing to France, the world’s sixth-ranked team.

Anigwe and her teammates get one more shot at staying alive in the tournament when they play Tuesday against Serbia (2-1), the second-place finisher in Group D, in a quarter-final qualifier.

Anigwe, on leave from the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, was named player of the game after contributing 15 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot in the win over Slovenia. She had seven points, 11 rebounds but also eight turnovers in the loss to France.

The British forged a 38-29 halftime lead against Germany but could not close out the win. With Germany leading 62-61 and 19 seconds left, Anigwe missed two free throws.

The four EuroBasket 2023 semifinalists and the winner of a playoff competition between the losing quarter-finalists will earn berths in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments. France qualifies automatically for the 2024 Olympics as hosts.

Earlier this year, at the 2023 FIBA Euro qualifying event, Anigwe averaged 9.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in four games.

The 6-foot-4 center was a four-time All-Pac-12 selection at Cal and the 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Cover photo of Kristine Anigwe courtesy of FIBA

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo