Life looks a little different for Jamell Anderson these days but his ambition for Commonwealth gold remains the same.
Anderson was part of the Team England squad that won an historic gold at Birmingham 2022, as Myles Hesson drained a dramatic last-second winner to beat Australia.
Four years on, Anderson is a dad to daughter Harper and is balancing his basketball career with the world of corporate sales.
It is a juggling act that he thrives on and his new responsibilities have not dimmed his determination to retain the Commonwealth title this summer at Glasgow 2026.
“Balancing work, family and the sport isn’t easy, but I feel grateful for the opportunity and just try to make the most of it,” he said. “It’s been an absolute whirlwind.
“At the time, winning gold felt like it would be the ultimate moment because we’d worked so hard to get there. What I probably didn’t realise was that winning gold would open so many more doors and opportunities, many of which I’m enjoying now.
“The corporate world has been a fun challenge. Growing up, people tell you that sport gives you transferable skills, but you only really understand what those skills are when you put yourself in a position to use them. The work ethic, discipline and mindset that come from sport have all helped me.
“It’s about being able to switch mindsets; turning off work when I arrive in camp and turning off basketball when I return to work.”
Anderson is not the oldest on the squad heading to Glasgow but is enjoying his role as elder statesman, as the only player to return from Birmingham 2022.
Sharing his knowledge and experiences has been a key part of preparation as England prepare for a tougher competition this time around.
He added: “Since we won gold, other countries have reacted. A lot of teams now look more like the team we had in Birmingham. At the same time, we’ve changed our approach and evolved as a team, so the competition is different. We probably have a target on our backs now.
“I relish that challenge. Winning gold was difficult, and that’s how I like things to be. I don’t want an easy road. The fact the teams are different, the competition is stronger and I’m older now are all things I enjoy.
“I’m the captain, and that brings its own responsibilities. A big part of my role is helping the group understand what to expect.”
“All that experience would go to waste if I didn’t share it. The lights, cameras, the show they put on. If you’re not prepared for them, it will probably knock you a little bit.
“I keep telling them things so that when they get there, it’s not a shock to the system.”
With the 3x3 format growing across the world, Anderson wants to ensure that continues at home.
The 3x3 game uses just half a court and squads of four players, opening up more opportunities for players at both the grassroots and elite levels.
Anderson hopes another Commonwealth gold can help further fuel development on British shores.
He added: “Basketball has been trying to grow for the last however many years in this country and here comes a version of it where we've won a gold medal, where we're ranking internationally quite high as a country, as a nation and it takes a lot less to play it.
“There's fewer barriers, more people get to play because there’s only one sub.
“I would be really upset if we don’t win gold again, I don’t mind saying that, but at the end of the day we’re representing England, trying to do the best job we can, and what will be will be.”
