With the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup set to tip off in 20 days’ time, Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) has named an experienced 3×3 Tall Blacks and 3×3 Tall Ferns side for this pinnacle event – held in Singapore from 27-31 March.
2degrees 3×3 Tall Ferns head coach, Anthony Corban has named his squad as: Ella Fotu, Lauryn Hippolite, Esra McGoldrick and Sharne Robati.
Hippolite, McGoldrick and Robati return to the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for the second straight time after they earned silver at the 2023 edition – Robati named to the Tournament Team for her efforts – with this trio also representing New Zealand in the five-on-five setting at last month’s FIBA Olympic Qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Fotu is a welcome return to the squad after she was forced to sit out the majority of 2023 due to injury.
3×3 Tall Blacks head coach, Piet Van Hasselt has announced his side as: Dom Kelman-Poto, Chris McIntosh, Nikau McCullough and Tai Wynyard.
Kelman-Poto, McIntosh and Wynyard also return from a successful FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup outing in 2023, with the team earning bronze and Wynward earning tournament honours – the 6’10” big man, considered among the top 3×3 athletes in the world – also earning a professional 3×3 contract in China for his efforts.
More recently, Kelman-Poto, McIntosh and McCullough teamed up for the 3×3 Tall Blacks to beat Australia 7-1 in the 3×3 Trans-Tasman Series last November.
For the third straight year, Asia’s biggest 3×3 event will be held in Singapore; with the seventh edition of the tournament seeing 43 teams – 23 men’s and 20 women’s – in contention for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup gold medal.
The 2degrees 3×3 Tall Ferns have been placed into a tough Pool D, where they will face defending champs Australia in a re-match of last year’s final. A yet-to-be-determined third team will also join this pool from the Women’s Qualifying Draw round.
Meanwhile the 3×3 Tall Blacks face arguably an easier road to the Semi-finals, taking on both Qatar and the winner of the Men’s Qualifying Draw round in their Pool D matchups.
For the 3×3 Tall Blacks, the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup will also act as a precursor to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1, which will see them travelling to Hong Kong on 12 April to take on Pool B opponents Mongolia, Latvia and Egypt.
If they can finish top of their pool, they will face the winner of Pool A (Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland or Hong Kong) in the grand final – with the prize a coveted ticket to the Paris Olympics.
The 3×3 Tall Blacks and 2degrees 3×3 Tall Ferns travel to the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore from 27-31 March. All games will be available to watch live at www.youtube.com/fiba3x3
- Find out more about the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup at fiba3x3.com/2024/asiacup
- Follow the 3×3 Tall Ferns and 3×3 Tall Blacks at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, via our social channels: facebook.com/BBNZ3x3 | instagram.com/BBNZ3x3 | twitter.com/BBNZ3x3
2degrees 3×3 Tall Ferns Squad – 3×3 Asia Cup 2023
Ella Fotu
Lauryn Hippolite, Casey Cavaliers
Esra McGoldrick
Sharne Robati, Casey Cavaliers
Head Coach – Anthony Corban
Assistant Coach – Kat Jones
S&C Support – Alex Yang
BBNZ Representative – Nikolay Mikhalchuk
3×3 Tall Blacks Squad – 3×3 Asia Cup 2023
Dom Kelman-Poto, Franklin Bulls
Chris McIntosh, Auckland Tuatara
Nikau McCullough, Northside Wizards
Tai Wynyard, Shanghai Sharks
Head Coach – Piet Van Hasselt
S&C Support – Alex Yang
BBNZ Representative – Nikolay Mikhalchuk
