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, 3X3 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 will debut 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 3X3 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. 3X3 is widely played throughout the world in street courts, yards, parks, squares, basketball courts and gyms.
The 3X3 discipline is being promoted and structured by FIBA, the sport’s governing body. Its flagship competition is an annual FIBA 3X3 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 4 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.
3X3.EXE Premier is one of the fastest growing 3×3 competitions in the world. Starting with humble beginnings in Japan 2014 with 7 teams. The competition in 2019 encompasses four countries; New Zealand, Korea, Thailand and Japan with a total of 72 teams.
New Zealand has two Conferences in this league, based in Christchurch and Auckland; Each conference has 6 teams competing for the opportunity to head to Japan for Finals in September.
The top two New Zealand teams from each conference will travel to Japan for 3×3.EXE Premier Playoffs in Tokyo, 7-8 September where they will compete for a share of USD$20,000 in prize-money. North Island and South Island Conferences will each play eight rounds between 18 May and 25 August in 3×3.EXE.
Click here for more information.
The 3X3 Quest Tour is returning to a community near you. This summer’s tour will be visiting 7 locations around the country between January and March 2019. It is a fun-filled event with a friendly atmosphere, grades for all, prizes, and this year we have your entry fee covered – so entry is FREE!
The winners of the Open Men’s Grade at any of the 6 regional events are eligible to play in the 2019 World Tour Qualifier Final, to be played in Auckland on 9 March 2019.
Register your team and come along to a court near you this summer. Click here for more information.
All 3X3 Quest Tour events are endorsed by FIBA as Quest events, which means players will receive the maximum points for playing. By joining FIBA’s play.fiba3x3.com, 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 3X3 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.
