3x3 basketball national squads named

Preparations for the Commonwealth Games begin on Monday 14 March for the women’s and men’s 3x3 basketball sides following a selection process concluded last Sunday. 

The 3X3 teams will be making their debut at the Birmingham Games after Kenya earned a direct qualification as the second-best placed country after Egypt. Egypt is ranked top, but is not a member of the Commonwealth nations.

Selectors went for a team 33, with 17 women and 16 men making the provisional squad. Organisers are yet to clarify whether the 3x3 competition, in its second edition at the Games, will feature the under-23 teams or the senior teams.

“Just to be ready for any eventuality, we have named eight players in each of the categories. They begin training at University of Nairobi and Strathmore grounds on Monday as we await National Olympics Committee directive. We will begin whittling down the teams to a final eight that will get into residential camp as the Games approach,” offered head of 3x3 basketball Hilmi Ali.

Additionally, Hilmi who also serves as the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) first Vice Chairman clarified that the final team will be drawn from those named in the provisional squad.

“Only those in the list will fight for the four places on either team. We want to give these players the chance to play at the highest level and as such, bringing in foreign-based players later on will not serve that purpose,” he further said.

 As required by the Games’ organising committee six players make the final list, with two serving as non-travelling reserves.

“We begin early preparations so that we can get the best team possible. Despite having two sides in camp, it is important for the Under-23 players to realise they also stand a chance in the event the organisers choose to have the senior teams compete. The reserve, unfortunately cannot happen due to the age cap,” added Hilmi.

Speaking on the road to Paris 2024, Hilmi says the Under-23 sides will have their circuit in May which Kenya is currently bidding to host as they begin their quest to qualify to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Kenya's 3x3 teams ready up for Commonwealth Games

The Teams will also be heading out to the Africa World Cup Qualifiers in December in Morocco. The Winners of the qualifiers book a place to 3x3 Basketball World Cup in 2023 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Provisisonal Squads

Men

William Spencer, Davies Siaji, Philip Tobias, Brian Letina, Jordan Otieno, Larry Shivanga, Domnic Adero, Faheem Juma, George Darril, Martin Buluma, Timothy Ayieko, Brian Gichana, Fredrick Odhiambo, Niva Morgan, David John, Gabriel Onyango.

 Women

Mercy Mumo, Debra Obungo, Melissa Akinyi, Stella Wekesa, Jemima Omondi, Hilda Ndegwa, Christine Omondi, Joy Mupalia, Leah Wambasi, Winnie Chebet, Nicole Otieno, Lavenda Opondo, Hilda Indasi, Natalia Akinyi, Medina Okot, Victoria Reynonds, Babra Diana