England and Scotland agree GB deal

England and Scotland will sign a contract with basketball's world governing body FIBA that will formally merge them as Great Britain from 2016.

FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann has confirmed the deal has been agreed despite Wales voting against a merger and opting to remain independent.

"This contract will be signed on Sunday," Baumann said.

The home nations have played under one banner since 2006, part of a temporary arrangement that saw British Basketball formed as an umbrella organisation with the goal of getting teams into the London Olympics.

FIBA last year awarded Britain the host nation place on the condition that England, Scotland and Wales make a decision on whether to retain the structure beyond the 2016 Olympic cycle, or go their separate ways once again.

A decision had been due by June 30, but while England and Scotland voted in favour, Wales came out in opposition, with the board of Basketball Wales saying they had seen little benefit from being a part of British Basketball.

Baumann said on Saturday that though he respects their decision he believes it is wrong and they will eventually see the British Basketball project is "unstoppable" as England and Scotland control such a large part of the game in the country.

"You have something that is not just a large majority, but almost unanimity wanting to maintain a British program beyond this term and to go on and be successful for the good of the game," Baumann said.

"I think we will be able to persuade Wales to join this party...

"Despite the Welsh negative decision we still took the view to sign the contract with England and Scotland, because I think this is going to be unstoppable."