The Belfast man – who is playing for Iowa Wolves in the NBA’s G League – has not played for Ireland since the EuroBasket 2025 qualifying bid due to basketball commitments with Lafayette College and College of Charleston.
The 23-year-old signed a professional contract with Minnesota Timberwolves after playing for their Summer League team in Las Vegas last year before joining their reserve side in Iowa.
“His hard work and dedication were rewarded last year with his pro deal with Minnesota Timberwolves,” Ireland head coach Michael Bree said.
“Naturally we’ve spoken a number of times since I took over in September and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Eoin Nelson, Sean Fitzpatrick and American-born Eli Brooks are in line for their first Ireland caps after being named in the squad.
Ryan Leonard is set to make his competitive debut, having last featured for Ireland in friendlies against Slovakia and Luxembourg in 2019.
Éanna’s James Gormley returns having missed EuroBasket defeats to Luxembourg and North Macedonia in the opening window.
Injury rules out Taiwo Badmus, Sean Jenkins and Max Amadasun, while John Carroll is unavailable due to personal commitments.
Bree’s men face Azerbaijan at the National Basketball Arena on Friday, February 27 before welcoming Luxembourg to Dublin on Monday, March 2.
Ireland men’s squad: Jordan Blount (Killorglin), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), CJ Fulton (Iowa Wolves), Eli Brooks (Basquet Manresa, Spain), Sean Flood (unattached), Sean Fitzpatrick (UCD Marian), Ryan Leonard (Limerick Sport Eagles), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Matt Zona (Cheshire Phoenix, UK), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), Eoin Nelson (Neptune), James Gormley (Éanna)