The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced a four-man squad comprising Marcel Esonwune, Sean Ikechukwu Nwamu, Esosa Okundaye and Robert Ukawuba for the tournament, which will be held at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus.

The quartet will become the first Nigerian players to compete in 3×3 basketball at the Commonwealth Games after the country missed the sport’s debut at Birmingham 2022.

Nigeria secured qualification in February when Commonwealth Sport confirmed the nations that would contest the expanded men’s competition.

Former Tokyo Olympian Ike Nwamu is expected to provide leadership and experience for the team. The 6ft 5in guard has represented Nigeria at the Olympic Games, played in the NBA G League and several European leagues, and most recently featured for D’Tigers at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket.

The Glasgow Games will mark his Commonwealth Games debut.

Nigeria will compete against Australia, the Cayman Islands, Fiji, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland and Singapore, with one further European nation completing the 12-team field.

Glasgow 2026 will be the second Commonwealth Games to feature 3×3 basketball after the format made its debut at Birmingham 2022.

The competition has been expanded from eight to 12 teams in both the men’s and women’s events following the sport’s growing popularity across the Commonwealth.

FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis welcomed the increase in participating teams, describing it as recognition of the success of the sport’s Commonwealth Games debut.

“We are delighted that 3×3’s quota has been increased for Glasgow 2026,” Zagklis said.

“The decision is a testament to the great debut success of 3×3 at Birmingham 2022 and the growing popularity of 3×3 in Commonwealth nations and around the world.”

Played on a half court with one basket, 3×3 basketball features teams of three players and a 12-second shot clock.

Games last a maximum of 10 minutes, although matches end immediately if either team reaches 21 points, making it one of the fastest-paced events on the Commonwealth Games programme.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from 23 July to 2 August, with around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories expected to compete across 10 sports.

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