'Gold or bust': Gangurrus set sights on glory

The Australian Gangurrus’ mission to claim gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow continues on Wednesday night, as both teams hit the court for their respective Semi-Finals.

The men’s team, coached by Cairns’ Adam Forde, takes on hosts Scotland from 8.30pm AEST, before Damon Lowery’s women’s outfit clash with Jamaica at 10.30pm AEST.

The latter, whose side features Paris Olympian Marena Whittle, two-time WNBL champion Lara McSpadden, UC Capitals’ Amy Atwell and Townsville’s Emma Clarke, will be looking to improve on their 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medal.

“It’s hundred per cent [gold or bust],” Whittle said on a recent episode of NBL Now.

“We talked about it, and at the last Comm Games, it was the first time we had just started a new cycle and were just happy to be here.

“Anything was amazing, so we were happy to walk away with the bronze.

“But now after the experiences that we've had, the medals that we've won, the way that we've been playing, our focus really is gold and we'll be pretty disappointed if we don't get it at this rate.”

A gold medal in Glasgow would cap off a strong run of tournaments for the Gangurrus women, which includes a World Cup silver medal and victories at back-to-back World Series events.

Whittle puts this rich vein of form by the Gangurrus down to their continuity.

“[Our success] is all about chemistry,” Whittle said.

“Basketball skill is assumed at this level, but how you work together, how you win together is really the difference maker, and we play great basketball.

“We're fortunate that we've all been around and we've played a couple of tournaments together, which is wonderful.

“We know how we want to play, and it's selfless. We're all strong, we're all aggressive.

“It all starts on defence, and as Dee [Damon Lowery] says, when the defence is good, you win basketball games.”

The Gangurrus men’s team features Perth Wildcats’ Jesse Wagstaff and Brisbane Bullets’ Sam McDaniel, as well as former NBL players Jonah Antonio and Jarred Bairstow.

Both the Australian men’s and women’s wheelchair teams will also hit the court in Semi-Final action, both taking on Scotland from 9.30pm and 12am respectively.

Australian teams at the 2026 Commonwealth Games (All game times in AEST)

‍Wednesday, July 29
‍Australian men: Australia v Scotland – 8:30pm
Australian wheelchair men: Scotland v Australia – 9:30pm
Australian women: Australia v Jamaica – 10:30pm‍

Thursday, July 30
‍Australian wheelchair women: Scotland v Australia – 12:00am