Blacktop Tales | Season 2 | Episode 5 | Jamell Anderson | Motorpoint Arena
Nottingham is a tough city—its reputation extends beyond its borders and across the Midlands. Names such as St Anns and The Meadows carry weight—don’t mess about. But for Jamell Anderson, toughness took a different shape. Growing up as one of the only Black families in Clifton—Europe’s second-largest housing estate—built resilience early. That resilience would define his basketball journey both on and off the court.
It was on full display when he stepped onto the Motorpoint Arena court for the Super League Cup Finals in March 2025. Though playing for the Sheffield Sharks, the chance to compete in his hometown as a pro fueled him. Usually a player who competes with a smile, this time, there was a grimace—Nottingham wasn’t just home; it was a reminder of the journey so far.
Basketball first entered Jamell’s life through Space Jam, his all-time favourite movie, sparking an early admiration for Michael Jordan. The interest faded over time, only to resurface in secondary school when his Year 8 PE teacher, Coach Tate—an American in the UK—pushed basketball into the rigid British curriculum. By Year 11, Jamell’s game had developed further under Curtis Xavier, the highly respected coach behind the renowned Adidas Camps that swept the country in the ’90s and ’00s. With Xavier drilling him in the art of defense, the foundation for hard work was set.
That work would be tested at just 17 when Jamell’s career was nearly derailed by a rare heart condition. Two separate heart operations and months in the hospital put his basketball future in doubt. But after a brief break, he returned, attended an U20 GB trial with the simple goal of gaining experience, and unexpectedly made the squad.
"At the time, I was like, 'What is happening?' A few months before this, I was lying in a hospital bed thinking I might never play basketball again. Then suddenly, I was pulling on a GB jersey and stepping onto an international stage."
Hard work pays off. It was Jamell’s commitment to defense and attention to detail that earned him a place on Team GB. From there, both his career and life snowballed—winning the heart of his wife, Georgia, while playing 3X3 basketball at the 2012 FIBA World Tournament in Greece, and later, winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
"I would describe myself as somebody who wants to outwork people no matter who's around me. It doesn't matter how good you are—I just want to outwork you. I'm still the same way now."
Back at Motorpoint Arena, fans looked on from the steep, rowdy stands as Jamell went to work on home hardwood. His fierce defense still holds strong, and now, he's an athletic two-way vet with a textbook jumper. Although the arena is more accustomed to gritty ice hockey battles, Nottingham provided the perfect setting for a basketball Cup Final.
Anderson pulled up, released, and connected—draining a three-pointer to open the game. Thirty-nine minutes later, he was holding the championship trophy.
The moment carried extra weight because of who was in the crowd. His first coach, Coach Tate, had made the trip. After the game, Jamell shared a moment with him, taking the chance to express gratitude for everything Tate had set in motion.
"I told him, ‘I need you to understand—I wouldn't have met my wife, I wouldn't have played for England or GB, and I wouldn't have won any of these trophies if it wasn't for you.’"
Back at Motorpoint Arena, fans looked on from the steep, rowdy stands as Jamell went to work on home hardwood. His fierce defense still holds strong, and now, he's an athletic two-way vet with a textbook jumper. Although the arena is more accustomed to gritty ice hockey battles, Nottingham provided the perfect setting for a basketball Cup Final.
Anderson pulled up, released, and connected—draining a three-pointer to open the game. Thirty-nine minutes later, he was holding the championship trophy.
The moment carried extra weight because of who was in the crowd. His first coach, Coach Tate, had made the trip. After the game, Jamell shared a moment with him, taking the chance to express gratitude for everything Tate had set in motion.
"When I was younger, I had some very, very good influences along the way—even though they weren’t necessarily intentional. Now that I’m in the position I’m in, it would be a real shame if I didn’t make a conscious effort to inspire someone who might need it. When I was younger, I felt like a nobody, and even along the way, I’ve felt that in different parts of my journey.
Kids might see me in a GB kit and think, ‘This guy must be so confident, so sure of himself.’ No way. The whole way, I questioned myself. The whole way, I had imposter syndrome. But I just kept going anyway. I kept showing up.
I’m not saying this to act like I’m a megastar and you should be like me. I’m saying it because I’m normal. I get anxiety, I get stressed, I get nervous. The biggest thing is, I just kept showing up.
And it’s been an amazing journey so far."
At Motorpoint Arena, Jamell is wearing the Adidas AE1 Low 'Stormtrooper'. He likes the simple design of the shoe and it's efficiency without the need of any extra/unnecessary parts. In addition, Jamell appreciates that it represents a player who is true to himself.
