3X3 APPEALS, HESSON REVEALS

Myles Hesson wants to be a hometown hero at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Great Britain men’s captain, who has re-signed for French side Chalon, has set his sights on being part of England’s team for the 3×3 competition in his native Birmingham when the Games begin in exactly two years time.

The competition venue has been unveiled on the site of the city’s former Smithfield Markets, now a derelict space within walking distance of The Bullring.

And the outdoor hub, also slated to be home to wheelchair basketball and beach volleyball at the Games, is a stage I’d love to play on, Hesson claims.

“Birmingham 2022 is a fantastic opportunity for us to really showcase basketball to the nation,” he said.

“The 3×3 form of the game will be a really exciting and engaging way to show people this version of the sport and basketball in general.

“And the idea of playing for my home country right in the heart of my home city is personally something that is also very attractive to me.”

Games chiefs opted not to return the five-on-five basketball version of the sport to the Birmingham schedule following its comeback in Gold Coast in 2018. Few nations were able to field full-strength teams for a Games which were held in the middle of the European and NBA seasons.

Previously, 3×3 has been a neglected after-thought in the UK with Great Britain making little attempt to qualify for its debut at what has become the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

However, British Basketball have now launched a specific refereeing initiative while Basketball England have confirmed they will adopt a “fast-track policy” for selecting players and coaches, using “3×3 rankings, domestic 3×3 talent identification processes and 5×5 GB player format transfer opportunities” with professionals and specialists at the shorter game to be considered in an attempt to capitalise on its turn in the spotlight.

“It will be the first time that 3×3 basketball and wheelchair basketball will be at the Games and it will be a great opportunity to showcase the sport’s diversity,” said former GB international Dominique Allen, who was a part of England women’s charge to silver in 2018.

“I was lucky enough to be a part of the women’s team that won a silver medal at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast and I have no doubt that the same excitement and success will be felt in 2022.”

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Organisers insists the Commonwealths – set to be the largest sporting event in the UK since the London 2012 Olympics – will leave a legacy for its sports and bring a return on heavy investment.

“We’re on track with our plans to host a spectacular event which will not only put Birmingham and the West Midlands centre stage but will also be an integral part of the region’s recovery plan following the global pandemic, bringing jobs for local people and contracts for local businesses,” said Birmingham 2022 chief executive officer Ian Reid.

“Smithfield is a fantastic location for these two sports, allowing us to bring together thousands of local people and spectators from further afield and enabling us to create a key hub for the Games in the heart of the city centre.

“It’s currently a blank canvas which will allow us to transform this location into a vibrant venue for two exciting sports that will no doubt bring a festival atmosphere to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”