Julius Joseph given reins of Team England 3×3 Commonwealth Games squad

Image Credit: Basketball England

Basketball England has given the reins of the Team England 3×3 Commonwealth Games squad to former England and GB international Julius Joseph.

With England already qualified as the host nation for the 2022 event, Joseph will be looking to add to his bronze medal from the 2006 Commonwealth Games England team as he takes on his first national team coaching position.

“Being appointed as the Head Coach for the 3×3 national team is quite an honour,” Joseph told Hoopsfix.

“I have pioneered and promoted 3×3 basketball in the UK for 8 years so I have a wealth of experience in the discipline. As a former Commonwealth Games athlete I understand the pressure involved with international basketball.

“I’m looking forward to working with our best and most suited 3×3 players to build a programme that will compete and win on the international stage. We have a lot of work ahead of us, as other countries have started their 3×3 programmes a few years before us, but I still believe we have what it takes to be successful.”

On the women’s side, former GB international Stef Collins – also a Commonwealth Games medal winner – has been given the role.

And BE’s Technical and Talent Performance Manager Steve Bucknall believes he has selected a duo with the pedigree and mentality to be successful.

“These two are both winners,” said Bucknall, a teammate of Joseph when England’s men claimed bronze in 2006.

“They have the pedigree and experience in the game and know what it means to be successful.

“We looked at some very high-calibre candidates to fill these important roles and I am confident the two we have selected can handle the pressure and have the right personalities to lead our mission in Birmingham, which is to win medals.”

Joseph is is one of the leading lights in the UK 3×3 scene having a run the successful Ball Out UK tour for almost a decade.

The pair will lead a Team England training camp at Manchester’s National Basketball Performance Centre next month ahead of two squads of four players being entered into the qualifier for the Europe Cup in Romania later in June as Great Britain.

BE is collaborating with GB Basketball to help prepare Team England for 2022.

GB have entered male and female teams made up of England players at two FIBA events this year – the Europe Cup qualifier and the Under-23 League of Nations – as preparation for next year’s Commonwealth contest.

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