Historic Debut: Nigeria Joins Men’s 3×3 Basketball At Commonwealth Games
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
Nigeria to Make 3×3 Basketball Debut at Glasgow 2026
NIGERIA is set to make history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as the men’s 3×3 basketball team earns its first-ever qualification for the Games. The announcement came on Tuesday when Commonwealth Sport released the official list of qualified nations for the basketball events.
The tournament will be staged at the Scottish Event Campus from 24 to 29 July 2026. Nigeria will join fellow debutants Guyana and Malaysia in the men’s competition, while Uganda will make its first appearance in the women’s 3×3 event.
Basketball 3×3 is a fast-paced variant of traditional basketball, played on a half-court with three players per team. Matches are timed at 10 minutes or until a team reaches 21 points, whichever comes first, with a 12-second shot clock to maintain continuous action and high-intensity play. The format emphasizes speed, agility, and skill, promising a thrilling spectacle for fans.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August, featuring 10 sports across Glasgow’s major venues, including Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Nigeria’s inclusion in the men’s 3×3 basketball event represents a milestone for the country’s basketball program, offering young players a platform to showcase their talent on a global stage and further expand the sport’s growing popularity across Africa.
