Australia’s basketballers are primed to shoot for the stars with four teams selected for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The squad of 16 - including Victorian trio Marena Whittle, Lauren Scherf and Tom Wright - will represent Australia in the inaugural Basketball 3x3 format across men’s and women’s competitions including wheelchair basketball.
The four teams carry the talent to be highly competitive and harbour genuine gold-medal aspirations. Selectors have opted for a mixture of players from the elite domestic basketball competitions, mindful of the skills required for the fast and furious new 3x3 format for the Games. Speed, skill and strength, along with exceptional shooting ability, are prized talents in Basketball 3x3 – attributes the Australians have in droves.
Jesse Wagstaff, 36, a six-time NBL champion who played with the Perth Wildcats, brings seniority to the team. He was a member of the Australian Boomers who won the gold medal in the conventional 5x5 format at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Wagstaff’s international experience will be invaluable in Birmingham, as evidenced by his captaincy of our national team at a 3x3 warm-up event in Singapore on the weekend. “To be selected for the Australian Commonwealth Games team and represent my country once again is a dream come true,” he said.
“I love Basketball 3x3’s physicality, speed and intensity. Once we get on the court it’s all systems go, which makes it a fantastic spectator sport.”
Wagstaff will team up with Thomas Wright, Daniel Johnson and Greg Hire for the first 3x3 tournament to be held at the Commonwealth Games.
Wright, 33, from Melbourne, is considered the most successful and experienced Australian player in the 3x3 format. He was part of the team that won back-to-back gold medals at the Asia Cup in 2018 and 2019 and has played in more than 32 3x3 tournaments to date. He currently plays the traditional 5x5 format with the Sandringham Sabres in the NBL1, while has experience with both the Sydney Kings and teams in the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL).
West Australians Johnson, who was born in Carnarvon and grew up in Perth, and Hire are both aged 34 and have sound experience in the slimmed-down format. Hire has adapted effortlessly to the nuances of 3x3 since retiring from the Perth Wildcats a couple of seasons ago. “I found 3x3 the perfect combination for me. I could still play and wanted to explore something new, so it was the natural next step in my career,” he said. “Representing your country on the world stage is something every child dreams about. I hope I can inspire others to pursue those dreams – be it on or off the court.” In the women’s 3x3 team, dual WNBL championship winner Alex Wilson, 28, an Adelaide-based point guard, will play alongside her teammate Marena Whittle, 28.
They will combine with Lauren Mansfield, 32, and Lauren Scherf, 26. Wilson said her selection for the Commonwealth Games squad has made all the tough training sessions worth it. “Representing your country is the highest of highs for me – there is nothing better than that,” she said. “To be in the green and gold, with Australia emblazoned across your chest and your name on your back, is incredible. I cannot wait to play with my teammates and soak up the Commonwealth Games atmosphere.” The entire squad is delighted that the able-bodied and Para-basketball teams will be competing together for the first time at international level.
Commonwealth Games Australia Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM welcomes the final Team Members who are bound for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games later this month. “I’m thrilled for these 16 Team Members, 15 of them are first-time Commonwealth Games Team Members joined by Jesse Wagstaff who won gold in 5x5 basketball on the Gold Coast!” Thomas said.
“3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball continue to be two of the fastest-growing sports across the Commonwealth and the world, and it is wonderful to have the sport debuting at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.” “I am excited for these Aussie Team Members to have the opportunity to showcase the rapid and energetic version of basketball to international audiences… I know I can’t wait to see it live and be cheering on the green and gold from the stands.”
“Today’s selections to the Australian Team bring our total team size to 435, our largest Team for an overseas Commonwealth Games, I know they’re all going to be bold in gold in Birmingham.”
Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven said this new format will be a hit with spectators around the world. “We are excited that Basketball 3x3 will make its debut at the Commonwealth Games. The 3x3 format continues to grow with more competitions and athletes playing than ever before,” he said. “We think the fans are really going to embrace this fast-paced format and enjoy watching our able-bodied and wheelchair teams go for gold.”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August.
3x3 Basketball events take place from Friday 29 July to Tuesday 2 August at Smithfield in the heart of Birmingham's city centre.
