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8 December 2025  4 min read

Julius Joseph MBE named as England 3x3 basketball head coach for Glasgow 2026 title defence

The 3x3 specialist – dubbed ‘Sensei’ by his players for his skill at teaching the short-format of the game – was an obvious candidate for the head coaching role, having masterminded England’s historic 3x3 title at Birmingham 2022.  

Joseph MBE was one of the first on court to congratulate his quartet of Jamell Anderson, Kayne Henry, Myles Hesson and Orlan Jackman after they beat Australia 17-16 in overtime to the 3x3 gold medal. 

"I’m back and I’m excited to get to work,” said Joseph, who’s passion for 3x3 and the opportunity to work with an English team again swayed him to put his name forward.  

“2022 was such an incredible journey that I was keen and passionate to do it again.  

“I'm not going to naively say, ‘we’re going to go back-to-back and get another gold medal’ because you can't rest on your laurels; you can’t rest on that past celebration. It's a whole new journey, competition and path. Everybody's been getting better. Everybody's been evolving,” he added.  

Julius Joseph MBE (centre) was head coach of England men when they won Commonwealth Games gold at Birmingham 2022

It's going to take a lot of work

Joseph's first test will come with the Commonwealth Games qualification tournament in May next year, which was something he didn’t have to contend with in 2022 as England had automatic qualification as hosts.  

Also, the field of teams has been expanded from eight to 12. 

“Of course, you want to do your best, and we want to aim for gold again,” said the Londoner, who won a 5v5 basketball bronze medal with England at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. 

“I’ve been paying close attention to some of the other countries. The likes of Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and others have top-notch programmes. It's not a given, it's going to take a lot of work and the right people with the right mindset to qualify and then get the job done.” 

Joseph was presented with an MBE this year by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales for services to basketball

Blessed and grateful

This year, Joseph was honoured with an MBE by HRH Prince William of Wales for his services to basketball – from the Commonwealth gold to founding and running Ball Out 3x3, the UK’s premiere 3x3 tournament for well over a decade and inspiring thousands of young people to play basketball. 

Joseph says his experience with HRH was a genuine one with the Prince genuinely interested in the rise of basketball’s popularity in the UK.  

“It's been a fantastic journey to this point,” he added. “To have that award and that recognition and have that experience as well; I’m appreciative, blessed and grateful for everything. 

“I was overwhelmed by just how genuine [HRH The Prince of Wales] is. He paid attention to detail. He listened and asked thoughtful questions. 

“We spoke about the success that we’ve been having on a global stage in 3x3; our success at the Commonwealth Games, and how we have been able to compete on a global stage against some of the best countries in the world. 

“He said that he's going to be in Glasgow for the Games, so I said, ‘hopefully, we’ll see you there’ [at the 3x3 arena].” 

Team England