Temi Fagbenle and Jordan Williams are included in England’s initial squads for the Commonwealth Games.
Head coaches Julius Joseph and Stef Collins selected ‘long lists’ of players with the majority attending a four-day camp in Manchester starting on Sunday.
Following that, the duo will choose four-player squads to represent Great Britain at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup qualifiers in Constanta, Romania on 4-5 June.
And as the countdown to the Games begins in earnest, England squads of six players will attend a further camp at Novi Sad, Serbia and tournaments in Belgrade and Voiron, France.
Final selections for the Games – two squads of four, each with two reserves – will be confirmed next month in conjunction with Team England, with the 3×3 competition at Birmingham 2022 taking place between July 29 and 2 August.
First the players will represent GB with the aim of reaching the Europe Cup Finals. The draws for the pools placed GB’s men with Spain and Turkey and the women, who reached the finals of last year’s competition, playing Denmark and Hungary.
=After that the players switch to full preparation mode for Team England, with the trips to Serbia and France – where they will face top-class international opposition.
A number of closed warm-up events will follow in the UK ahead of the Games, with Basketball England Head of Talent and Performance targeting medals.
Ten female and 12 male players will join the Manchester camp this weekend. All, plus a handful of others, including GB star Myles Hesson, are available for potential selection ahead of the Games deadline.
Camp attendees
FemaleShanice Beckford-Norton – London LionsTemi Fagbenle – CBK MersinCheridene Green – DVTK MiskolcOceana Hamilton – Leicester RidersChantelle Handy – TTT RigaEbony Horton – Sheffield HattersShequila Joseph – London LionsHannah Jump – Stanford UniversityAbby Lowe – Durham PalatinatesLouise Rouse – Loughborough Riders
MaleJamell Anderson – Manchester GiantsAndre Arissol – Solent KestrelsDanny Evans – VillarrobledoKayne Henry – Jacksonville StateOrlan Jackman – Solent KestrelsCallum Jones – Manchester GiantsKofi Josephs – Plymouth City PatriotsMax Richardson – Solent KestrelsSesan Russell – Florida TechJosh Steel – Manchester GiantsConor Washington – Leicester RidersJordan Williams – London Lions
3×3 Schedule29 May-1 June: Invitational Camp, NBPC, Manchester4-5 June: FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifiers, Constanta, Romania7-9 June: Training Camp, Novi Sad, Serbia10-11 June: International Tournament, Belgrade, Serbia17-18 June: Big Twelve Tournament, Voiron, France19-22 July: Team England Immersion Camp, Loughborough25-26 July: Closed warm-up event, Birmingham29 July-2 Aug: Commonwealth Games 3×3 competition, Birmingham9-11 Sept: FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Finals, Graz, Austria
Team England men’s head coach Julius Joseph said: “The road to the Birmingham 2022 starts at camp on Sunday and we are excited for the journey ahead. We have a mixture of familiar and new faces from last year which is important in continuing the teams’ learnings.
“This camp is an important part of the journey and will be a great opportunity for the players to show what they can do. We are expecting the guys to bond quickly and take on the challenges of 3×3. We hope they can thrive under the pressures 3×3 can wield and look forward to seeing some exciting talent.
“We are looking forward to returning to the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifiers in Romania as this was a great experience for the team last year. It is important the guys are battle tested and comfortable with the pressures of the environment of 3×3 basketball, and Romania will provide a good test. This is good step in the preparation towards the Commonwealth Games this summer and we are embracing the challenge.”
Team England Women’s head coach Stef Collins said: “We are all looking forward to the start of our Commonwealth Games preparation this summer as we head into our invitational camp in Manchester this weekend. We’ve learned a lot in the past 12 months, and will continue to grow as a team in the 3×3 format.
“I can’t wait to get to work with the players and staff, there is a great mix of fresh and familiar faces. It will be important that we come together quickly in camp and develop as a cohesive group on and off the court as we head into the Europe Cup qualifiers in Romania and will certainly use this opportunity as preparation for Team England ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.”
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