The call-up came by text and James Beckom is hungry to take his shot. The UCC Blue Demons man spoke to BallinEurope about making his debut for the men’s Ireland basketball team in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers
A call-up to the national squad was always on the cards for James Beckom at some stage. The Corkman was possibly a little surprised to get the shout, along with his UCC Blue Demons teammate David Lehane and Rapolas Buivydas of Tralee Warriors, now but he’s keen to embrace the opportunity.
Ready to go
The men’s Ireland basketball side gets its 2027 FIBA World Cup campaign under way on Thursday against Kosovo. Beckom has made the roster for that game and Sunday’s home clash with Switzerland. Speaking from Prishtina, the Ireland debutant was in a good mood ahead of the game.
“We’re excited now. We’re in a great hotel with great facilities so we’re in the best situation to play our best basketball. It feels great. I’ve done underage, I’ve done 3×3, but this is my first senior experience. It’s something special,” Beckom said.
“It was always something I planned on. I can’t say I expected it now but I’m happy the opportunity came. This is a completely different standard or style to what I have been against before. The composure and ball pressure is different to anything I’ve been against before.”
The first time to get the call for your national team, in any sport, is always special. Technically, it wasn’t a call that Beckom got.
“It was a text. I had just gotten home from training, I was all sweaty and looked at my phone. It was a wow moment and it felt great,” he said.
“The whole family was so proud of me when they found out, especially my Dad. You could say he’s more invested in my basketball than I am.”
The long road home
This call-up to the Ireland basketball squad is a key part of Beckom’s development. It continues a journey that kicked into high gear when he was just 16 years old. Beckom spent a year in Italy before moving to Arkansas. There, he spent two years playing high school ball before playing his college ball with John Brown University in the northwest of the state. While he has pro ambitions, Beckom opted to spend his first season after college back where it all began.
“The decision to come home has worked well. I’ve been away for 7 years so I had to get used to being home again. I had spent so much time getting used to basketball overseas. All is going well. We won our first cup in 10 years with UCC Blue Demons and hopefully we can end the season on a high,” he said.
“Getting home, it was more about getting back used to playing with my best friends. Scott and James [Hannigan] have been my best friends since I was young. I had to work on keeping things serious and professional. Keeping that head on myself was the main thing to focus on.”
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Taking the next step
It’s safe to say that James Beckom has a slightly different life to most ballers. He’s currently working on the floor in a Super Valu supermarket Monday to Friday, with aims to make the step to continental Europe next season.
“It was always in my mind to go away and not even come home for this year. The way things worked out, it was best to play in Ireland this year. It has been on my mind to go somewhere in Europe next year,” Beckom said.
“If anything, the warm-ups in the game on Thursday might be when I feel nervous. Right now, I’m cool and composed. I’m thinking of this as just another game, even though it’s something big.”
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The development plan
Making the jump to Europe is seen by Beckom as a key part of his development. While making his debut for the Ireland basketball in these 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers team will provide him a showcase moment, he wants to continue to evolve his game.
“People know that I’m a terror on defence. Any team, realistically, I’ll be one of the best defenders. When it comes to my offence, I need to produce more. That’s with my playmaking and shooting,” Beckom said.
“If I go away to Europe, that will be my best chance to improve those elements. I’ll be playing basketball every single day in that situation. In Ireland, it’s not like that right now. One of my main goals for going away is to get better and stay on this Irish senior squad.”
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