Jamie Vanderbeken has committed his future to Great Britain after being named in Chris Finch's initial 17-man EuroBasket squad last week.

The Canadian center qualifies for GB through his Scottish mother, and said he happy to pass up the chance to play for Canada in order to launch his international career immediately and try to help GB towards their goal of playing on home soil at the 2012 London Olympics.

"Even if I don't make (the final 12-man squad), the competition I'll be playing against in try-outs alone will be beneficial to bring what I learned back here," said Vanderbeken, who is currently playing at Iowa State University.

"It'll give me a chance, if I have questions, to ask guys about it. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, (Robert) Archibald, a bunch of other guys who played in the US and Europe. It's a great opportunity.

"Just being able to play on any national team would be a real honour. I will go there and do my best.

I am just trying to make the most of it, to get exposure to make the team."

Vanderbeken will get his chance to impress when GB host Poland, Turkey and Israel at the GameOn tournament in London later this month.

GB will then play in EuroBasket warm-up tournaments in Spain and Turkey before Finch names his final squad.

"Even if I don't make the team this year, I want to leave a good impression so I can come back next year, make the team by [London] 2012," Vanderbeken added.

GB have been drawn against Spain, Slovenia and Serbia in Group C at the EuroBasket.