The sport, which was born out of the urban basketball scene in the 1980’s, has undoubtedly enjoyed its greatest official competitive growth over the last 15 years; making a Youth Olympic debut in 2010, before securing senior status at Tokyo 2020. 

Birmingham 2022 saw 3x3 Basketball make a spectacular Commonwealth Games entrance, with fans revelling in the spectacle athletes delivered during five days of undeniable drama. 

Those from the host nation had plenty to celebrate with England topping the men’s podium, while their women’s team placed second behind Canada. 

“That whole experience into 2022 was definitely one for the books,” says Green. “The atmosphere was crazy and I think for a lot of people they realised for the first time, ‘oh we do have basketball players in the UK and it’s a thing!’” 

“Now I think about it a lot because we have Glasgow 2026 coming up and I’m wondering what that will be like. It’s a hard act to follow with the support we had in Birmingham but I think even though it’s in Scotland we’ll have lots of fans cheering for us.”

 

As the host nation, Scotland receives guaranteed places in the women’s and men’s tournaments, while England will need to officially gain a place via the European qualification competition, which is expected to take place in Spring 2026. 

Green is clearly confident and, together with her team-mates, will continue preparations for that event via the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 5-7 September, while representing Great Britain. 

“Things are going really well and it’s important to have these events as a lot of us play 5x5 so we need time to integrate because in many ways it’s a whole different kind of sport,” she says. 

“We have new players (since Birmingham 2022), but as well as myself Hannah Jump is still here and we’re all looking forward to taking on Hungary and Spain (in Pool C) before hopefully going further.” 

GAINING PERSPECTIVE AFTER SEASON-ENDING SURGERIES 

Green made her senior international debut in 2019, playing in the traditional 5x5 format of the game, and admits her appreciation of the sport has changed significantly since then, particularly after overcoming serious knee injuries. 

“Since Birmingham (2022) I missed two seasons and this is my first year being back into full-time playing,” the 29-year-old reveals. 

“I had a meniscus lateral tear and a couple surgeries as the first one failed, and I had to get it repaired again. I’ve had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury before and that’s supposed to be worse, but it’s been a longer recovery (than anticipated).” 

She had begun feeling some discomfort in her knee shortly after the last edition of the Commonwealth Games and missed several internationals later in 2022 before her meniscus tore in late March the following year. 

“Coming back into it now, I definitely appreciate the sport more, because I didn't realise how much release you get from being so active and I’m just happy to playing,” Green admits. 

“I'm also more appreciative of receiving help from my teammates, whereas before I’d clap hands, high-five and just like be there for everybody else, but I wasn’t used to being in a position to receive help or feel comfortable opening up. 

“One of the biggest things I talk about is that you don’t have to try and push through it (struggles) and think you’re a ‘tough cookie’ because no athletes need to; resting and taking care of yourself is very important too.”

 

REFRAMING SUCCESS AND GOING FOR GOLD IN GLASGOW 

Qualifying for and then reaching Glasgow 2026 in peak physical condition are key focuses for Green over the next 11 months, particularly given how often she still recalls the 3x3 final showdown against Canada just over three years ago. 

Despite impressively defeating the Canadians in the pool phase, 21-17, their North American rivals rallied in the gold medal match, prevailing 14-13 after an action-packed encounter. 

“I think about this all the time, like, we got so close,” recalls Green. 

“When people ask, ‘oh, how did you do?’ I think, ‘we did great, we got silver,’ but it still hurts my heart because we could have got more.” 

When pushed about whether that means only one result will satisfy her, should England reach Glasgow 2026, she laughs, before admitting; “exactly, we have no choice but to go all the way to the end.” 

(Image courtesy of Basketball England)

Green is though keen to emphasise that gold is not the only way she will assess the success of her team’s possible Commonwealth Games campaign, insisting public perception is also key. 

“I feel like when we were in Birmingham, we may not have the most talented or athletic team across the board, but we were very cohesive with great chemistry, and we had a great work ethic, which helped us get towards the end because we never gave up. 

“That was our identity and for Glasgow, when people ask me about what success would look like you might think winning, but what does ‘winning’ look like? 

“For me having people know us for being resilient and overcoming adversity, that would be really important because without those and that identity, you’re not going to go far.” 

 By Nick Hope, Glasgow 2026 Content Specialist