Team England 3x3: The best images and reaction from our training camp

Head coaches Julius Joseph and Stef Collins put the players through a tough 3x3 practice regime at their first Team England training camp in Manchester - and were delighted with the results.

The pair have been appointed by Basketball England to lead the men's and women's squads in preparation for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Scroll down to see a selection of images.

The 3x3 form of the game will feature for the first time at the Games next year and the journey towards targeting medals has begun with 12 male and 12 female players invited to a get-together at the National Basketball Performance Centre this week.

Invited players went through five days of preparation, including competitive matches which involved guest teams from Myerscough, Nottingham Wildcats and the Asphalt Assassins.

Joseph said: "A great week of 3x3 basketball at the first ever Basketball England 3x3 camp. 

"It's the beginning of our journey to Birmingham 22022 and beyond and there's lots more 3x3 basketball to come!

"Huge efforts on and off the court all week - massive thank you to all the players and staff involved."

Collins added: "A great five days for our first 3x3 senior camp and amazing effort from the players - learning, adapting, competing and getting better each day. Looking forward to next time!"

The camp came ahead of BE collaborating with Great Britain to enter FIBA 3x3 competitions this year in preparation for England's Games mission. The England coaches will select and manage GB teams, starting with entry in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifier in Romania later this month.

There's a long way to go until the 2022 showpiece, but the first steps towards to Birmingham have been taken. 

Images: Pete Simmons, Mark Ferris, Adam Bates, Harry Collins

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