Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) are pleased to announce the U17 3×3 National Teams who will be heading to the FIBA 3×3 U17 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia later this month.
The U17 Men’s team travelling to Malaysia includes: Louie Gordon, Mitchell Corkery, Nicholas Hayward and Joel Brown. The squad will be coached by Cam Wilson.
The U17 Women’s team for Malaysia is made up of: Olivia Lassey, Tia Pavihi, Aliyah Newton and Zoe Richardson, with the squad coached by Frances Tilly.
In addition Jo Mumm is on board as Team Manager, while Nikolay Mikhalchuk travels to Malaysia as the BBNZ 3×3 Representative.
The 2022 version of the FIBA 3×3 U17 Asia Cup is being held at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from 13-16 October, with 35 teams tying for the men’s and women’s Asia Cup titles. The top three teams who emerge from this event will progress to the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in 2023.
The U17 Women’s team has been placed in Women’s Pool A alongside Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka, and head coach Frances Tilly says that although things came together quickly for this squad, she is confident they can compete for a top 3 finish.
“We were able to identify the girls through nationals and talking with other coaches around the country; so the four athletes we’ve picked are young – but they’re all versatile and have high basketball IQ,” says Tilly.
“So it’s really exciting to be able to take these young players and give them their first taste of international 3×3 play, this event will give them vital tournament experience; being exposed to that international level will teach the girls the physicality, the IQ and skill-set needed for 3×3, and the really exciting thing is that 3×3 is a really viable pathway for athletes as well – so being able to give them a taste early helps set up their basketball future if that’s the pathway they want to go down.”
The U17 Men’s team will compete in Men’s Pool B against Uzbekistan and India. Head coach Cam Wilson says that his squad are excited to be able to compete internationally on the 3×3 stage, with a medal finish also a goal for his team.
“The players are absolutely over the moon, for them it’s a chance to represent their country in 3×3 so of course they’re rapt; they’re excited to get out and test themselves against some of the international competition they haven’t seen for the past few years,” says Wilson.
“I’m seeing these athletes still playing both [3×3 and 5 on 5 basketball], but there’s more and more opportunities becoming available for those who are playing 3×3; there’s more tournaments popping up all the time, from secondary school to Quest tours – players are getting exposure from these events and it gives another type of athlete the chance to reach their peak level as well.”
The FIBA 3×3 U17 Asia Cup tips off on 14 October for the U17 Men’s team and 15 October for the U17 Women’s team; see full schedule below. All games will be available to watch online at www.youtube.com/FIBA3x3
3×3 U17 Men’s Team – 3×3 U17 Asia Cup
Joel Brown, North Harbour
Mitchell Corkery, Canterbury
Louie Gordon, Canterbury
Nicholas Hayward, Waikato
Hugo Gonzalez Garcia, Canterbury*
* Selected by unable to travel
3×3 U17 Women’s Team – 3×3 U17 Asia Cup
Olivia Lassey, Waikato
Aliyah Newton, North Canterbury
Tia Pavihi, Wellington Basketball
Zoe Richardson, North Harbour
Men’s head coach – Cam Wilson
Women’s head coach – Frances Tilly
Team manager Jo Mumm – Team Manager
BBNZ 3×3 Representative – Nikolay Mikhalchuk
3×3 U17 Asia Cup Schedule
14 OCT (Men’s Pool B)
8:50pm NZT, India vs New Zealand
10:40pm NZT, Uzbekistan vs New Zealand
15 OCT (Women’s Pool A)
4pm NZT, Uzbekistan vs New Zealand
5:50pm NZT, New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
The top two teams from each Pool will advance to the Quarter-finals on 16 Oct.
