Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Age won’t be an obstacle for six-time NBL champion Jesse Wagstaff in Australia’s search for 3×3 basketball gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Perth Wildcats captain Wagstaff will compete at his third Games at age 40, leading debutants Jonah Antonio, Jarred Bairstow and Samuel McDaniel.
Wagstaff was part of the Boomers’ gold medal-winning run at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, before the 3×3 format was introduced at the following Birmingham Games.
The Perth forward was made to settle for silver in 2022 when the Gangurrus suffered a devastating 17-16 overtime defeat to England.
“Every time you get the chance to pull on the green and gold at a Commonwealth Games it means something special,” Wagstaff said.
Out of 16 able-bodied and para athletes, Wagstaff is just one of four to have Commonwealth Games experience.
Wombats captain Luke Pople, 35, will spearhead Australia’s bid to defend their title in the men’s wheelchair 3×3 event.
Three-time Paralympian Tom O’Neill-Thorne reunites with Rollers teammate Pople, with the pair part of the squad that finished fifth at the 2024 Paris Games.
“Winning gold in 2022 was an incredible moment for us, but we’ve all kept pushing to improve and grow as a group,” Pople said.
“To have the chance to go again and represent Australia on that stage is something we don’t take for granted, and we’re excited by the challenge ahead in Glasgow.”
Marena Whittle returns to the Games after helping Australia claim bronze after scoring nine points in a 15-13 win over New Zealand.
Whittle is joined by Olympic bronze medallist and Opals shooter Amy Atwell, alongside Emma Clarke and Lara McSpadden.
Birmingham bronze medallist Hannah Dodd leads the women’s Wombats team, with debutants Georgia Munro-Cook, Taishar Ovens and Ebony Stevenson.
The 3×3 format makes its second appearance at the Commonwealth Games, expanding from eight teams per gender to 12 in Glasgow.
AUSTRALIA’S COMMONWEALTH GAMES BASKETBALL 3×3 SQUAD: Jonah Antonio*, Amy Atwell*, Jarred Bairstow*, Emma Clarke*, Samuel McDaniel*, Lara McSpadden*, Jesse Wagstaff, Marena Whittle
AUSTRALIA’S WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL (3×3) SQUAD: Hannah Dodd, Tomas Klein*, Eithen Leard*, Georgia Munro-Cook*, Tom O’Neill-Thorne*, Taishar Ovens*, Luke Pople, Ebony Stevenson
* Commonwealth Games debutant
