Media Release: Basketball Australia
The stage is set for the first-ever 3×3 trans-Tasman basketball showdown later this month, with Basketball Australia (BA) announcing the women’s and men’s “Gangurrus” teams to play New Zealand for an inaugural 3×3 series in Invercargill from October 25-28.
While Australia’s women secured the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup gold medal earlier this year, the team traveling to New Zealand is a new-look group, providing a valuable international opportunity to play against the 3×3 Tall Ferns.
Basketball NSW would like to congratulate our two NSW representatives in the men’s team Josh Dent (Illawarra Hawks & CoE) and James O’Donnell (Norths Bears & CoE) on their selection in the team. They wil be joined by Dan Trist (Frankston Blues).
The women’s team is Mikhaela Cann (Logan Thunder), Teyla Evans (Eltham Wildcats), Bride Kennedy-Hopoate and Jacqui Trotto (Ringwood Hawks).
The tournament is the first international competition since the announcement by Commonwealth Games Australia of Green2Gold2Great funding, which will benefit both the women’s and men’s 3×3 programs, as well as the 3×3 wheelchair programs.
The series is played out over eight games for both men’s and women’s, with the winner taking home the inaugural 3×3 Trans-Tasman Challenge Plate.
The national team games are the showcase event of the 2023 edition of the 3×3 Cup, which brings together some of the best young talent from across Aotearoa to compete for the 3×3 Cup trophy.