The NBA has been expanding to the United Kingdom over the past few years, organizing preseason regular season games in London. Despite the invasion of the NBA, British basketball and the Great Britain national team, led by NBA All-Star Luol Deng, is still struggling to catch up with the rest of the Europe and compete with traditional and internationally well-known British sports, such as soccer, rugby and cricket.

Andrew Sullivan, Great Britain national team captain, has been one of very few Brits who played in top European competitions such as Euroleague and Spanish league. He has also helped his country in two European championships and last year's Olympics. Sullivan, who played collegiately at Villanova, helped his current team, Leicester Riders, win the BBL cup and is arguably the best player playing in Britain.

Sullivan sat down with RealGM to discuss joys and sorrows of the British basketball, his personal career, Great Britain national team, Luol Deng and much more.

RealGM: From your own experiences, what are the main differences between playing in Britain and top basketball countries such as Russia or Spain?

Sullivan: The speed of the game. The size of the players. Of course, I played for England [national team] before, but just doing it week in and week out. Playing against guys, who are a lot bigger. When I was in England, I played as a four [power forward], but there I was more of a three or two. That was one of the biggest differences. Also the physicality of the game. For good or bad, there are loads of fouls called here [in Britain], compared with places such Russia and Spain. They allow you to play physically and to be honest, I enjoyed that. It suits me better. That would be two main things and of course, fan support, professionalism of the team. Everything is first class. It's something we're trying to do over here, but still, we're a number of years behind the rest of Europe.

RealGM: How did you end up playing in Leicester for the Riders?

Sullivan: Last season I was looking for a team and one of friends told me to come and workout here. While I was here, the GM of the team, Russell Levenston, offered me a contract. I've got a family here and I wanted to stay close to them. For me, it was a good situation and especially leading to the Olympics. I didn't want to be sitting on the bench somewhere. For me, it was a really good decision. Obviously, coming this year, I was talking to Russell, who is one of my best friends now, and it was no-brainer not to stay here. Last season wasn't as successful as I wanted, therefore for me it was like unfinished business. That was one of the key reasons why I wanted to sign. 

RealGM: Since 2008 there has been no British team in European competitions. In your opinion, what were the main reasons causing that?

Sullivan: It's a financial drain. Playing in a competition like that, there is a lot of traveling. Going to places like Russia, Ukraine, it's a financial drain. Unfortunately, clubs over here don't have resources to do that. Obviously, when you think we don't have resources competing in that league, that also means we don't have resources to pay players you kind of need to be successful over there. It's something I would like to see happening again. Now it wouldn't make any sense doing it because it would bankrupt the team.

RealGM: Could you compare British league before you left Britain and after you came back?

Sullivan: When I left, London Towers were playing in the Euroleague, which was great. We had teams playing in huge arenas like Manchester, Birmingham and so on. Then there was a little bit of a quieter period, when we took a couple steps back. But what is happening now, it's becoming a better and stronger league. It's being built on a really solid basis. You cannot build it quickly; it takes time and a lot of hard work. I think we're on the right way.

RealGM: Britain is known for its football [soccer], rugby or cricket and it should be very hard for basketball to fight for its place under the sun.

Sullivan: That is one of the beauties about this country, but it's also one of the drawbacks. We have an opportunity to put a lot of resources in different sports, but because you have so many mainstream sports, it's hard to promote everything. Obviously, football [soccer], rugby and cricket take the priority, because those are traditional sports in my country. Maybe a hundred years from now basketball will become a traditional sport in our country. It comes back in building things in a right way. There's no point asking for whole lot coverage just for the league as it's going to burn out in ten years time. We got games on Sky TV; the cup final and trophy final, were all live on Sky TV. That's a huge step forward from were we been in the past few years.

RealGM: What was your reaction when you first heard that Luol Deng will likely not play for Team GB in EuroBasket 2013?

Sullivan: To be honest with you, the guy done so much for his national team and he were here from the start. If he decides to take a summer off, who would mind to say no? He has been absolutely servant to this country. When you think about the fact that he wasn't born here, he came here as a refugee. When he comes out and plays for Great Britain, puts that shirt on, you cannot tell he wasn't born here. If he decides to take a summer off, that's a fair play.

RealGM: Sometimes it seems that Luol Deng doesn't get as much attention in Britain as other sport celebrities. Don't you think he's a bit underrated?

Sullivan: I don't think he's underrated in this country. Everyone here fully appreciate it what he is and what he does. I think he's underrated for what he does in the NBA. He's that guy who keeps his team going and that guy who doesn't get under the spotlight and get the whole media attention. He doesn't complain, he goes out and scores 30 [points], and in the next game he has five points, ten rebounds and eight assists. For me that what being an All-Star is, not a guy who just scores loads of points.

RealGM: Every summer there had been many speculation on Ben Gordon and Byron Mullens joining the national team. Does that bother you?

Sullivan: For me, there are no speculations. That has been year after year, they are supposed to play but they haven't. I'm more worried about the guys who've been there and who potentially could be there next year. If Ben and Byron come, it makes our national team much stronger. If they don't, we go with what we got.

RealGM: Do you see yourself playing in EuroBasket 2013?

Sullivan: That's the plan, if I feel healthy. I'm looking forward to this summer. If nothing happens between now and then, the goal is to be back in the Team GB.

RealGM: I don't want to call you a veteran, but as your career comes to an end, what is next in your plans?

Sullivan: That's alright, I'm a veteran, 33 years old (laughing). There's nothing wrong with that. I've been playing professionally for about ten years. I still feel I've got lot left in the tank and I think I've been doing pretty well this season.

RealGM: In your generation, there had been many top players such as Joel Freeland, Robert Archibald and few more. Do you see a new British basketball generation being as good as yours?

Sullivan: Definitely, every summer I've been with the GB team and every summer I felt I had to raise my game. I had to dig a bit deeper for my spot. This summer is going to be the same. Young players, they come and respect us for what we've done before them, but they want our spots. Our job is to defend them. It's not a problem. And I'm very happy that we'll continue to get funding to manage the program and even more so, for future's program because that's going to be a lifeblood for our national team.

RealGM: The NBA is trying to expand its brand in the United Kingdom due to its financial potential, but do you think British basketball really benefits from that?

Sullivan: It definitely helps the NBA. It's nice that people support basketball in general. You hope that if they support NBA and they like basketball, they might find a local team and support them. That's the hope. People buying NBA jerseys… I don't think that makes any difference to the BBL. If all people would be walking around with Leicester Riders, Newcastle and Manchester or Surrey jerseys, that would be nice and that's what we want.

Over the past couple of season Dontaye Draper has established himself in Europe as a pass-first type Euroleague point guard with excellent scoring skills.

After two successful years in Croatia and winning the 2010-11 season Eurocup MVP award, Draper unsurprisingly was been ranked seventh in RealGM's Top 10 Euroleague Point Guards list.

However, the 5-foot-10 Croatian passport holder, had to adjust to a new role with his new team, Real Madrid, as his playing time has been limited as never before. Draper averages only 13.8 minutes per game in Euroleague and in the ACB but he remains positive. Real has been a winning team so far this season and Draper is willing to do whatever it takes to help win championships.

RealGM caught up with Draper for a one-on-one interview to discuss his Euroleague debut, Real Madrid, Croatia and more.

RealGM: First of all, Real won eight out of 11 games in the Euroleague and remained undefeated in Spanish championship until last weekend. What are the main causes for the team success?

Draper: I think our main reason for success is that we are a very deep team and everyone is unselfish. We play really well together and work hard in practice.

RealGM: How would you evaluate your debut in Euroleague? How is it different from Eurocup?

Draper: Well, it is pretty different. When I played in Eurocup, I played more than 30 minutes per game and I had the ball in my hands a lot, so it is really hard for me to compare. But our group was very tough, it was great to finish in first place.

RealGM: Obviously, Real is an elite European team that always has high standards. Have you ever felt the pressure in Madrid?

Draper: At the beginning when I came here, I put a lot pressure on myself because I didn't know what to expect. So in the preseason I was struggling trying to find my role in the team. But as the season went on, it got easier. 

RealGM: Overall, how does it feel to be a part of an organization like Real Madrid, which is well-known all over the world?

Draper: It feels really great playing for this organization. I can't explain to you the feeling. Everything they do is first class. They really treat you well. It's like a big family.

RealGM: Throughout your career in Europe, you've always been one of key players on your team. With so much talent on Real, your playing time so far has been very limited. Is that a thing that concerns you?

Draper: Yes, this is the first time in my career I have had to take on a role like this. It is a adjustment for me but I am cool with it. We have a total of three point guards. Me, Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez. They are great players and having a great season too. They been here for some years and they are both established. So when I play, I try to bring defense, intensity, leadership and run the team. There are some games where I don't even take a shot, but in that game I made my presence felt on defensive end and running the team. I try to do whatever the team needs on that night. I'm very happy though, we are winning.

RealGM: What is like to be playing and training day-in and day-out alongside great Euroleague players like Rudy Fernandez, Nikola Mirotic, Marcus Slaughter, Jaycee Carroll and many others?

Draper: Our practices are actually fun. We really compete and go after it. Like I said before, we have a deep team and all of us are matched up in practice. We do a lot of four-on-four and five-on-five. We go hard (laughing)!

RealGM: Do you believe this Real team has what it takes to go all the way to the Euroleague finals or is there something that needs to be improved?

I think we got what it takes to go to the Final Four and win the championship. Everybody on our team knows their role and if we continue to play like we have been playing, I think we have a good shot at it. 

RealGM: Talking international hoops, how did you end up with the decision to acquire the Croatian citizenship and later join the Croatian national team?

Draper: Well, after my first year in Croatia, I played pretty well in the Eurocup and Adriatic league. They came to me and asked if I would like to play. I said yes, it was a honor for me to play (for Croatia).

RealGM: Did you have any other offers than playing for Croatia?

Draper: No, I didn't have any other offers.

RealGM: In your opinion, how did playing for Croatia influence your career?

Draper: Playing in Croatia was huge for me. Aco Petrovic gave me a big opportunity to show my game. He came to me in Vegas during summer league and told me, if I don't make the NBA, come play for him and have some fun. I loved playing for him and in his system, similar to Pablo Laso. They both give you freedom to play as you feel. Aco told me I need to do everything. Score, rebound, assist and defend and that's how I became MVP of Eurocup and runner up MVP of the Adriatic League. That season was fun.

RealGM: Before you joined the Croatian national team, did you know anything about their basketball history (Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Zan Tabak, Dino Radja and etc)?

Draper: Yes, I knew about Drazen Pertrovic, Tony Kukoc and Dino Ragja. They are legends.

RealGM: You been taking a part of NBA summer leagues for many years. Do you see yourself attempting to make it to the NBA in the future?

Draper: Well, the NBA is always a dream, but now I'm playing for Real and have a nice contract and I'm happy here. But after I'm finish playing here, if a team wants to sign me, I would look into it but I won't be doing summer league or anything like that anymore. I'm getting old (laughing).

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After spending the 11-12 lockout shortened NBA season in Russia with CSKA Moscow, Andrei Kirilenko was all smiles as walked through the Barclays Center and sat in front of his locker.

Kirilenko discussed his return to the NBA from Russia and what the future holds for basketball in his country.

Last season, Kirilenko was one of many NBA players who spent time overseas due to the lockout. However, Kirilenko was also one of the rare NBA players to spend the entire season overseas after the lockout was lifted.

“When I signed with the Russian team, it was a lockout season and I thought it was a great chance for me to play in Russia in front of Russian fans and my family and friends since I’m still the right age,” said Kirilenko. “I had the chance and I used it.”

Being close to his family was enticing for Kirilenko, but he also remained overseas to represent his country in the best physical condition on the grandest stage of all.

“They (NBA) played like 66 games in a season in a short period of time and the Olympics was coming,” said Kirilenko. “I kind of decided I’m going to finish the season in Moscow and then I’m going to move back to the NBA.”

The move paid dividends for Kirilenko and his country.

Kirilenko won his second EuroBasket medal, a bronze, in 2011, and helped CSKA finish as the Euroleague runner-up. Kirilenko then led Russia to it’s first medal, a bronze, since 1988 (as Soviet Union) in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

According to Kirilenko, winning the bronze medal in London and having Mikhail Prokhorov as a Russian owner in a large market (Brooklyn, New York) has brightened the future of basketball in Russia.

Kirilenko spoke highly of Prokhorov’s impact and how he will draw more positive attention to Russia’s basketball future.

“I think it’s a huge impact because for the scouts and the NBA right now, it’s a little different approach for the Russian players,” said Kirilenko. “I think it’s a great platform for the Russian young talent to get to the NBA because of (Prokhorov) and because the perception is a little bit different right now. The scouts probably look a little bit closer because they want to bring the Russian talent to make him play for (Prokhorov).”

Kirilenko confirmed that he spoke with Prokhorov briefly before the game, but in a casual manner.

“He asked, like, how is everything,” said Kirilenko. “I said everything is great obviously. I just said it’s a great arena because when we get to the arena it looks very flashy.”

The Barclays Center was nearly a new home for Kirilenko who was courted by Brooklyn Nets' management heavily before failing to come to terms on a deal.

Kirilenko stressed that he has moved on and is solely focused on his current team.

“I’m not talking about that (Nets negotiations), said Kirilenko with a smile. “I’m a Minnesota Timberwolf.”

After talks broke down with Brooklyn, Kirilenko received a two-year, $20 million offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves to return to the NBA.

Kirilenko discussed the difficulty of getting acclimated to the NBA game after spending a year overseas.

“The only adjustment probably is the schedule because in Russia we only play twice a week,” said Kirilenko. “Here you’re playing four, sometimes five times a week. It’s just the quantity of the games, but other than that it’s just less practices. In Europe and Moscow you have more practices and the schedule is a little different.”

Despite the scheduling adjustment and return to an 82-game NBA schedule, Kirilenko has enjoyed his time with Minnesota.

“I like everything,” said Kirilenko. “All the details are definitely how I expected and I’m really enjoying playing with coach Rick (Adelman). I think he’s a very good coach so far.”

With franchise centerpiece Kevin Love expected out of the lineup until the middle of November, or the start of December, Kirilenko is expected to see increased minutes at power forward.

At 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, Kirilenko has enough bulk to fight for rebounds and the leaping ability to jump over opponents around the paint. Kirilenko is also an excellent help and on-the-ball defender known for blocking shots (2.03 per game career average).

For the Minnesota to remain competitive until Love returns, and without the services of human highlight reel Ricky Rubio, Kirilenko must carry the Timberwolves as he did with his Russian bronze medal teams.

Follow @MikeAScotto