Julius Joseph awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours

Former GB and England international and now founder of Ball Out 3×3, Julius Joseph, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list with an MBE for services to basketball.

The Godfather of 3×3 in the UK he formed the iconic Ball Out 3×3 tournament in 2014, building a small local 3×3 park tournament into a national tour that reaches thousands every summer.

From there he was thrust into coaching the 3×3 national teams, making history when he led England to gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The 49 year-old then headed up the British 3×3 programme in 2024, helping Hafeez Abdul, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Ashley Hamilton and Evan Walshe to qualify for the men’s FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup tournament – a maiden appearance for GB.

“Firstly, none of this would have been possible without the support of my wife over the years,” said Joseph, who also won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal as a player in 2006.

“I am grateful for everyone that’s been a part of my journey; from local courts, where it all began, to Steve Alexander and all the incredible mentors I had through my playing professional career.

“I’ve had amazing team-mates, with the likes of Steve Bucknall and Peter Scantlebury to name just a couple. Amazing supporters who believed in me, and their love motivated me to give as much back to the game as I possibly could.

“Through coaching young people, to the historic gold medal accomplishment and completing 10 years of Ball Out 3×3, it was done with an amazing team behind me, who worked incredibly hard to make achieving the milestones a whole lot easier.”

During his time playing in the USA for Georgia College & State University in the NCAA, Joseph was one of the top players in Division Two and was named First Team All-Conference and an honourable mention All-American during his tenure there. He was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

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