Scotland Unveils Basketball Lineups for Home Commonwealth Games
A total of 16 athletes have been selected to represent Scotland in basketball at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The nation will field four squads across both running and wheelchair 3×3 formats, with ambitions to secure the country’s first-ever team sport medal on home soil.
Experienced Talent Returns for Running Squads
Kyle Jimenez and Fraser Malcolm are set to make their third consecutive Commonwealth Games appearance. Both athletes were instrumental in Scotland’s fourth-place finish in the men’s 3×3 running competition at the Birmingham 2022 Games, where they narrowly missed a bronze medal after a one-point loss to Canada. The pair also contributed to the Caledonia Gladiators’ victory in the 2023 British Basketball League Trophy.
Jimenez expressed his excitement about competing on home turf. “This will be my third Games, but we are all super excited that we are going to be on home soil with our friends and family there,” he said. “My favourite thing is putting on my Scotland jersey and hearing the anthem before the game, so maybe winning a medal with friends and family there would be top level.”
Joining Jimenez and Malcolm on the men’s running team are Skyler White, captain of the Cheshire Phoenix, and Owen McCormack, captain of the Bristol Flyers. McCormack was recently recognized as Super League Basketball’s Most Improved Player of the Year.
On the women’s side, Claire Paxton and Hannah Robb are returning for their second Games. They have been key figures in the Great Britain 3×3 program since Birmingham 2022. Newcomers Kirsty Brown and Ella Doherty, who honed their skills in the US collegiate system before returning, complete the squad.
Paxton highlighted the evolving landscape of 3×3 basketball. “3×3 has grown massively since the last Games, so I think the competition is going to be harder,” she stated. “We want to represent ourselves well and enjoy the experience. The freedom of the game allows you just to go out there, be fearless and play hard. You never know what could happen.”
Wheelchair Teams Debut and Aim for Medals
Scotland’s men’s wheelchair basketball team will make their Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, having narrowly missed qualification for the Birmingham 2022 Games. The squad features emerging talents Finlay Erskine and Shayne Humphries, both 20 years old, alongside Ross McConnell, 47, and Tyler Baines. Baines previously earned a bronze medal with England at the Birmingham 2022 Games.
Erskine emphasized the significance of the opportunity. “It’s the highest level that we can play wheelchair basketball for Scotland, so this is really the top of the top for us,” he remarked. “It’s a really big step in my career, and it’s going to be amazing.”
The women’s wheelchair team will be led by Robyn Love, a world and European medallist who will also serve as the squad’s coach. She will be joined by fellow Paris 2024 Paralympian Jodie Waite, as well as Lea Smith and Kayli English, who secured a silver medal with the GB team at the 2025 European Championships.
Mark Stevenson, head coach of Lothian Phoenix, will coach the men’s wheelchair team.
Coaching Staff and Games Expectations
Donnie MacDonald, who coached the women’s running team at Birmingham 2022, will return in the same capacity for Glasgow 2026. Gareth Murray, with his own Commonwealth Games experience, will coach the men’s running team.
Elinor Middlemiss MBE, chef de mission for Team Scotland, expressed her enthusiasm for the selections. “After 3×3 debuting in Birmingham four years ago, it is great to see Scotland represented in both disciplines in the men’s and women’s competitions,” she said. “The atmosphere in the SEC should be electric, and I am sure our selected athletes are going to put on a great show and wear the jersey with pride and passion.”
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature expanded 3×3 basketball competitions, with eight teams per gender in the wheelchair category and twelve per gender in the running category.
