3×3 (pronounced 3 ex 3), also known as street ball or street basketball, is a form of basketball played three a side on one hoop.
It is the largest urban team sport in the world (ESSEC study commissioned by IOC) with over 250 million players worldwide and ranked among the most played recreational sports on the planet, 3×3 basketball is increasingly becoming an important influence in the development of basketball worldwide. In June 2017, 3×3 was officially announced as a new Olympic sport and debuted at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
3×3 is played on a half court, 1 hoop, 2 teams, 3 players per team (and up to one substitute) and no coach on court. Coaches or instructors have a role in helping in preparing for competitions or raising skill level of players. One of the biggest strengths of 3×3 is its simplicity both in terms of rules and in terms of required facilities, allowing it to be held in the most spectacular settings, using iconic landmarks as backdrops. 3×3 is widely played throughout the world in street courts, yards, parks, squares, basketball courts and gyms.
The 3×3 discipline is being promoted and structured by FIBA, the sport’s governing body. Its flagship competition is an annual FIBA 3×3 World Tour comprised of a series of Masters and one Final awarding six-figure prize money in US dollars. There are also annual an Open World Cup, U18 World Cup with Youth Olympic events every four years and also Zone Cups around the world.
3×3 events are authentic urban culture festivals that can be hosted virtually anywhere: in the heart of the city or in iconic locations downtown with non-stop music throughout the event. Due to the nature of the 3×3 basketball game and the street culture that it embodies, side events such as concerts, dance competitions, art exhibitions and, especially slam dunk contests among other creative activities, are able to be incorporated into the event run down.
Want to play 3×3 but don’t know the rules? Check out our “How to Play 3×3” video here.
You can also get involved through your school and compete at the NZ 3×3 Secondary School Nationals. All information can be found here.
Events hosted in NZ have been endorsed by FIBA as Quest events, which means players will receive the maximum points for playing.
By joining FIBA’s play.fiba3x3, you’ll be able to compare your skills with your friends, and even with pros on the international circuit. The more events you play, the more ranking points you’ll get. You may even catch the eye of national selectors as they look to identify talent for New Zealand representative 3×3 sides to compete at the following events – Men’s and Women’s FIBA 3X3 U18 and Open World Cups and FIBA 3×3 Asia Zone Cups.
