Wagstaff ready for another shot at Games glory

21 Jul 2026

boomers

Jesse Wagstaff is preparing for his third Commonwealth Games as Australia eyes 3x3 basketball gold in Glasgow.

By

AAP

Despite the heartbreak of Birmingham, Jesse Wagstaff returns to the Commonwealth Games saying there are no thoughts of redemption or revenge.

The 40-year-old, a six-time NBL champion, will compete at his third Games in Glasgow.

After Wagstaff won gold with the Boomers on the Gold Coast, the Commonwealth Game format changed to 3x3 and Australia lost to England 17-16 in overtime for the gold medal at the last Games.

Wagstaff and his fellow Australian basketballers flew into Glasgow on Monday, along with the country's weightlifting team.

The one missing weightlifter is Australia's best chance of a gold medal, with Eileen Cikamatana to arrive on Friday.

Wagstaff said regardless of previous results, it meant a lot to play again at the Games.

"I still remember, quite clearly, obviously on the buzzer in OT, in front of their home crowd," Wagstaff said of the Birmingham loss.

"It was a cracking game. We were on the wrong end of it, but it would be nice to go one better. There are some very good teams here, it's a tough draw.

"In terms of redemption, or using it as motivation ... if I'd won a gold last time, I'd be just as motivated.

"Sure, it would have been nice to come home with gold last time, but it certainly doesn't aid, in any extra motivation."

Wagstaff said Australia would face a tough draw, nominating England, New Zealand, Nigeria and Scotland as particularly strong opposition.

While Jonah Antonio, Jarred Barstow and Samuel McDaniel are making their Commonwealth Games debuts, Wagstaff said he would lean on them given their extensive 3x3 experience.

"They're debutants at the Commonwealth Games, but two of them (Antonio and Bairstow) just came off a World Cup and they're all quite experienced at 3x3," Wagstaff said.

"So if anything, I'm the rookie coming in - I haven't played 3x3 for a while, so I will be relying on them as well."

The women's team of Amy Atwell, Emma Clarke, Lara McSpadden and Marena Whittle made history last month at the World Cup, winning silver for the first time.

Australia's wheelchair basketballers will also compete in 3x3 at the Games, with the men defending their gold medal.