The Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns 3×3 squads have again dominated the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier Asia 2022 in Doha overnight, with both teams remaining unbeaten through the tournament to claim finals victory.
Their reward? Qualification for the seventh edition of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, which will take place in Antwerp, Belgium on 21-26 June 2022, and a chance to win the coveted 3×3 World Cup for the first time.
3×3 Tall Ferns
The 3×3 Tall Ferns enjoyed a relatively easy run through the tournament, advancing into the semi-final round following day one victories over Qatar and Iran. They matched up against Kazakhstan in the semi-finals, earning a 12-8 victory and a place in the finals against Uzbekistan.
The final game would see 23-year-old Tiarna Clarke shoot the lights out for the 3×3 Tall Ferns, helping her team to a 19-12 triumph. Clarke led all players in the tournament in scoring with 30 points, including a game-high 10 in the final.
3×3 Tall Blacks
In the men’s category, the 3×3 Tall Blacks faced a rockier road to their win. After handily defeating Qatar and Kazakhstan in day one competition, they faced off against Malaysia in the semi-finals, earning a 21-14 win and a date with Iran in the finals.
And what an absolutely thrilling final it was. With the scores all tied late in the game thanks to a clutch two from Nikau McCullough, both teams had a chance to claim victory – but it was the Tall Black’s Tai Wynyard who drove to the basket for the game-winner; New Zealand winning 21-20.
24-year-old McCullough led all scorers in the men’s category with 37 points, including 11 in the final game, as the 3×3 Tall Blacks head to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2022 after missing the tournament in 2019.
The FIBA 3×3 World Cup will take place in Antwerp, Belgium on 21-26 June 2022.
Women’s Category:
Semi-finals: New Zealand 12, Kazakhstan 8
Finals: New Zealand 21, Uzbekistan 9
Watch the final game here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gc7JcyDoCs
Men’s Category:
Semi-finals: New Zealand 21, Malaysia 14
Finals: New Zealand 21, Iran 20
Watch the final game here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXPqu8Rtfxc
