Australia’s Basketball (3×3) and Wheelchair Basketball (3×3) teams are locked in for Glasgow 2026, with a dynamic group of athletes ready to bring speed, skill and plenty of excitement to the Commonwealth Games stage. 

Competing as the Gangurrus and Wombats respectively, the four Australian squads bring together a talented mix that highlights the growing depth of 3×3 basketball across the nation. 

Reigning Birmingham 2022 gold medallist Luke Pople leads the men’s Wombats, alongside debutants Thomas Klein, Tom O’Neill-Thorne and Eithen Leard. 

Pople said the opportunity to return to the Games alongside familiar teammates was something the group had been working toward since their success in Birmingham. 

“Winning gold in 2022 was an incredible moment for us, but we’ve all kept pushing to improve and grow as a group,” Pople said.  

“To have the chance to go again and represent Australia on that stage is something we don’t take for granted, and we’re excited by the challenge ahead in Glasgow.” 

The women’s Wombats team features Hannah Dodd as the most experienced member following her silver medal campaign at Birmingham 2022, alongside debutants Georgia Munro-Cook, Taishar Ovens and Ebony Stevenson. 

In the men’s Gangurrus, Jesse Wagstaff returns for his third Commonwealth Games appearance after winning gold at Gold Coast 2018 and silver at Birmingham 2022, joined by debutants Jonah Antonio, Jarred Bairstow and Samuel McDaniel. 

Wagstaff said representing Australia again at a Commonwealth Games remained a significant honour in his career. 

“Every time you get the chance to pull on the green and gold at a Commonwealth Games, it means something special,” Wagstaff said.  

The women’s Gangurrus will be led by Marena Whittle, who brings Commonwealth Games experience after claiming bronze at Birmingham 2022, alongside Amy Atwell, Emma Clarke and Lara McSpadden. 

Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM OLY said the selected teams reflect the depth and strength of Australian basketball across both programs. 

“These squads reflect the incredible talent and depth we continue to see across Australian basketball,” Thomas said.  

“It’s particularly exciting to welcome our debutants into the green and gold, while also recognising the outstanding experience of our returning athletes,” Thomas said. 

“I know each of them will embrace the opportunity to represent Australia with pride on the Commonwealth Games stage and continue our strong tradition of performance in the 3×3 format.” 

Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven said the selection of the squads reflects the continued growth and strength of the sport in Australia at the elite level. 

“Today’s announcement is another strong demonstration of the depth and talent we have across Australian basketball,” Scriven said. 

“Both our Basketball 3×3 and Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 programs continue to produce athletes who perform on the international stage and embrace the demands of the Commonwealth Games environment. 

“We’re proud of every athlete selected and look forward to watching them represent Australia with distinction in Glasgow.” 

As part of today’s announcement, Episode Three of The Pursuit of Unstoppable will be available on 7Plus and YouTube, taking viewers behind the scenes with the Gangurrus as they head into camp for Glasgow 2026, with every selection on the line and no spot guaranteed. 

AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALL (3×3) AND WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL (3×3) TEAM – GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Basketball (3×3) (“three on three”) and Wheelchair Basketball (3×3) made its Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022. Following the strong reception from fans to its first Commonwealth Games appearance, the basketball program has been expanded from eight teams per gender to 12 per gender for Glasgow 2026, demonstrating the rapid growth and rising global appeal of the exciting format. 

Played on a half-court with a single basket, a 3×3 game lasts only 10 minutes with no half-time or quarters–even after scoring, there are no breaks in the action–which means players must be able to demonstrate teamwork, tactics and agility in a short period. 

Each team comprises four players –three on the court and one substitute –and the winning team is the first to 21 points or whichever has the most points after the 10-minute period. 

In Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 a player may wheel the chair and bounce the ball simultaneously, however, if the ball is picked up and/or placed on the player’s lap, they are only allowed to push twice before they must shoot, pass, or dribble the ball again, otherwise, a travelling violation occurs. 

The player must remain firmly seated in their chair which is considered part of the player’s body in relation to establishing responsibility for contact on the court in the case of charging, blocking, going out of bounds, and other violations. 

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August. Basketball (3×3) and Wheelchair Basketball (3×3) events will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), in the SEC Centre, from Friday 24 to Wednesday 29 July.