%example code below.
clear, clc, close all
%texture mapping test
% import image
original = imread('imported_image.jpg');
imshow(original)
%% Plot a sphere
[X,Y,Z]=ellipsoid(0,0,0,10,10,10);
figure()
surf(X,Y,Z)
%%map the image as a texture to the sphere
h=findobj('Type','surface'); %h is a handle
set(h,'CData',original,'FaceColor','texturemap')
I'm following an example found at
https://youtu.be/djYowG_ITwk