The 3x3 form of basketball will make its Games debut at the Smithfield site in Birmingham city centre between July 29 and August 2 and is poised to be a fan favourite.
Women’s
Chantelle Handy (2021/22 club TTT Riga, Latvia) (Hometown: Durham)
Cheridene Green (2021/22 club DVTK Miskolc, Hungary) (Hometown: London)
Hannah Jump (2021/22 club Stanford University, USA) (Hometown: San Jose, California/Warrington, Cheshire)
Shanice Beckford-Norton (2021/22 club: London Lions, London) (Hometown: London)
Men’s
Jamell Anderson (2021/22 club: Manchester Giants, GB) (Hometown: Nottingham)
Kayne Henry (2021/22 club: Jacksonville State, USA) (Hometown: London)
Myles Hesson (2021/22 club: Saga Ballooners, Japan) (Hometown: Birmingham)
Orlan Jackman (2021/22 club: Team Solent Kestrels, GB) (Hometown: London)
“I am really pleased to announce the octet of players who will be representing England this summer in the inaugural 3x3 competition. Both the men and women individually and together embody the dynamism, grit and poise that is English and British basketball, and I believe wholeheartedly in our potential for medals and crowd-pleasing performances.
“3x3 and the Commonwealth Games will prove to be a platform to inspire and engage many more people in all forms of basketball and create a legacy of participation.”
Since the end of May a Commonwealth Games selection process has been underway, starting with a longlist of players assembling for a four-day camp in Manchester, before being slimmed down through preparatory 3x3 tournaments in Romania, Serbia and France.
A host of players have been considered for selection. GB international Tèmi Fágbénlé is still recovering from an injury picked up at the end of the 2021/22 season.
“We wanted a mix of experience and youth, and we have good strength, size and length, which will make us effective on the defensive end. These guys have proven themselves during the selection process that they are very capable of playing on the elite stage. We look forward to Birmingham.”
“What an incredible honour for these athletes to be named as the first ever 3x3 England women’s squad to play in the Commonwealth Games. I know they are going to wear the England vest with a lot of pride and passion. This group has committed themselves to 3x3 and have given our preparation period their best effort. I’m pleased to see these four go through and represent England on the big stage.”
“Playing for England this summer is a huge honour. This will be my second Commonwealth Games and I didn’t get a medal at the first one, so I am hungry to get one this time. Obviously, playing in the Commonwealth Games in England in front of a home crowd is going to be such an amazing experience.
“The British public are going to be treated to high pace, entertaining basketball and I hope they get behind us.”
“I thought winning the ASUN Conference title with my Jax teammates was special but being selected for England has really topped this season. The Commonwealth Games is a stage for me to show the world what I am capable of and give the British public a real taste of why basketball is the coolest sport in the world - and one everyone can get involved with."
“It really means a lot to be playing for England. I have been watching the Games since I was a child and to be competing in my hometown for England is something I never imagined, but I am looking forward to.
“Personally, and as a team, we are hoping to get a gold medal so that’s what we are preparing for.”
“I am really looking forward to donning the red of Team England this summer and showing the world what we are capable of. During this whole selection process, we have built a medal winning camaraderie and I can’t wait to get out in front of a home crowd with my team-mates and do something special.”
“This will be my first Commonwealth Games and the first time I will be putting on an England jersey, so I am excited about that. I am looking forward to the public just seeing that level of play, being exposed to great international teams and the 3x3 atmosphere, which is really uplifting, exciting and fun. Hopefully that will translate into supporting WBBL and BBL teams throughout the year.”
“We have a great chance to do well. All the tournaments we have played at over the summer have prepared us for this moment. I hope to get a medal from these Games, and to have fun. To be out there playing in Birmingham means family can come watch. I hope the British public will see our passion for the game – whether it’s 3x3 or 5v5.”
“I am really excited to be representing England in the Commonwealth Games. Being able to play in front of all my friends and family is something I never even would have imagined. As a team, we are coming in with high expectations for ourselves. We spent the last few months prepping for this opportunity, with the gold medal always in mind. We are all super pumped and can’t wait to get out there and play in front of the home crowd and soak in the whole experience.
“3x3 is relatively new but it’s an exciting game. The games are shorter, it’s fast paced, and a lot of great basketball plays are going to happen. It’s a great opportunity to grow the Basketball England fan base and show a younger generation what’s possible.”
“It’s a privilege to be representing England at the Commonwealth Games, especially since it’s one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events and even better because we have a great chance of medalling.
“Through the preparatory periods of this and last summer, we have learnt a lot about 3x3 basketball and what’s needed to win. Stef Collins has put in a lot of work to get us the information that we need, we have a great squad of talented players and I trust in our plan.”
Men's category
Australia
England
Kenya
Canada
Sri Lanka
Scotland
Trinidad and Tobago
New Zealand
Women's category
Australia
England
Kenya
Canada
Sri Lanka
Scotland
St Lucia
New Zealand
The number one urban team sport in the world was first included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme and is played on a half-court with one basket. Games can be won in one of two ways: by a team reaching 21 points or by scoring the most points in a 10-minute game. With its 12-second shot-clock, 3x3 is also the quickest team competition in the world.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand will be among the favourites, with hosts England determined to be among the medals as they were in 2018 Games, when the women sealed a historic silver medal in the 5v5 competition.
With the Games now covering to 3x3, that leaves all teams with an early opportunity to make their mark using the new format.
The Smithfield site is in the heart of the host city, with a fantastic backdrop featuring some of Birmingham’s major landmarks.
3x3's debut in Birmingham is a golden opportunity to showcase the fast and furious game to a new audience, with the all-action sport central to Basketball England's #GameTime campaign.
Basketball England aims to engage one million people in basketball via the Commonwealth Games 2022, 3x3 and more.
Whether you want to:
...regardless of age, gender or background, across every part of the basketball family, it's #GameTime!
