Name: Eli Lenihan

Age: 18

Position: Point Guard

Current Team: The MacDuffie School (Granby, Massachusetts)

Previous Teams: Neptune BC

International Honours: “Representing 30+ times between U15-U18, 2018 U16 Ireland team captain.”

How did you get into basketball: “Growing up, my brother Dylan and sister Hayley were playing and both my parents had played and as a result I was always in a gym somewhere watching games and naturally I caught the basketball bug.”

Best tip you’d give to an aspiring basketball player: “The best advice that I could give is to ask a lot of questions and be willing to learn, whether that's from coaches or teammates. I think it's really important to always be expanding your knowledge of the game.”

Favourite player growing up: “Kobe Bryant or Ger Noonan.”

Favourite current player: “Luka Doncic.”

Toughest opponent you have faced on the court: “Playing CJ Fulton all the years growing up in camps, club and school basketball has always been a tough task. Also having to guard Kyle Hosford and Roy Downey every night in Super League training last season was a workout in itself.”

Your best moment on a basketball court: “It is really tough to narrow it down, but I would definitely say winning the U18 cup in 2020 and also beating eventual group toppers Romania in the European Championships in 2018.”

Neptune captain Eli Lenihan and his team-mates celebrate with the cup after the Hula Hoops U18 Men’s National Cup Final between Neptune and Belfast Star at the National Basketball Arena

Basketball career goals: “I hope to play 4 years of collegiate basketball over here in the States and to represent the national team as many times as possible in the future.”

Eli Lenihan in action for MacDuffie School

Hobbies outside basketball: “In my free time, I’m either watching Netflix or on Facetime to family and friends back home.”

Favourite Food: “My dads Christmas dinner for sure & KC’s in Cork.”

Favourite music band or artist: “Drake & Dave are being played constantly.”

Your TV series recommendation: “Peaky Blinders or Power.”