Seven NBL1 players selected for the 3x3 Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Seven NBL1 players have been selected for the 3x3 squad to represent Australia from Friday 29 July to Tuesday 2 August in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Basketball Australia has announced their four 3x3 teams that will be competing at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Seven NBL1 players have been selected for the 3x3 squad to represent Australia from Friday, July 29 to Tuesday, August 2 in the Commonwealth Games.

? + ? Shout out to our 7? #NBL1 stars who medalled in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup!

The Men's took home gold while the Women's took home silver ? pic.twitter.com/mok21kmIm5

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 10, 2022

Tournament MVP of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup Jesse Wagstaff, who led his team to gold, will team up with 3x3 veteran and Sandringham Sabre player Thomas Wright, Forestville Eagle superstar Daniel Johnson and the Rockingham Flames’ Greg Hire for the first 3x3 tournament to be held at the Commonwealth Games.

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.”

The Women’s 3x3 team just just won silver in the 3x3 Asia Cup will include Kilsyth's Lauren Scherf, Gold Coast Rollers guard Lauren Mansfield, Ringwood Hawks player Marena Whittle and the most recent NBL1 Central Women’s Footlocker Player of the Week, Alex Wilson.

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.”

For the first time, both able-bodied and Para-basketball teams will be competing together for the first time at the international level. Amber Merritt will lead the way for the women's team, having been a member of the Australian Gliders since 2009, winning a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics and being a member of the Gliders at the Toyko 2020 Paralympics.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from Thursday, July 28 to Monday, August 8. 3x3 Basketball events take place from Friday, July 29 to Tuesday, August 2 at Smithfield in the heart of Birmingham's city centre.

The full squad is listed below: 

Women's 3x3 team
Lauren Mansfield
Lauren Scherf
Marena Whittle
Alex Wilson

Women's wheelchair 3x3 team
Hannah Dodd
Georgia Inglis
Amber Merritt
Ella Sabljak

Men's 3x3 team
Greg Hire
Daniel Johnson
Jesse Wagstaff
Thomas Wright

Men's wheelchair 3x3 team
Lachlin Dalton
Jake Kavanagh
Luke Pople
Kurt Thomson