The six-foot-nine New Yorker is in line for his first cap when the campaign begins away against Luxembourg next Thursday, before Ireland welcome North Macedonia to Dublin the following Saturday.
Zona currently plays for British side Cheshire Phoenix, having captained Fordham Rams last season in the NCAA Division 1 after lining out for Notre Dame for the previous four seasons.
Six-foot-nine centre Max Amadasun is also in line for his EuroBasket debut, having played in two friendlies against Norway. The six-foot-nine Dubliner plays his club basketball in Spain with Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.
Taiwo Badmus returns to the squad after injury ruled him out of the November 2024 and February 2025 windows of the World Cup 2027 pre-qualifiers. Sean Flood continues as captain.
“I am really excited to start my tenure as Ireland head coach. My staff did a great job during the summer in the friendly games against Norway, which have provided ideal preparation for our FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers next week”, Bree said
“We have assembled a strong squad, with plenty of experience, and I’m really looking forward to working with the players, as we look to hit the ground running in our first game of the campaign away against Luxembourg.”
Speaking about the selection of Zona, Bree added: “Matt receiving his first national team cap will not just be a personal achievement. It's a testament to the dedication and hard work that has brought him here. It's an honour to represent your country and it’s something that I am sure he will cherish forever. We welcome him and are delighted to have him join our troop.”
Ireland men’s squad – Jordan Blount (Killorglin), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), Sean Jenkins (Éanna), Taiwo Badmus (Tindastoll Korfubolti, Iceland) Sean Flood (unattached), John Carroll (Sligo All-Stars), Matt Treacy (Snaefell Basketball, Iceland), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Max Amadasun (Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa Baloncesto, Spain), Matt Zona (Fordham Rams, USA), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig)