BBNZ’s NZ Pro 3×3 Quest resumes this weekend, with some of New Zealand’s leading 3×3 ballers competing against their peers in Auckland.
The final two stops of the tour will be held at Auckland’s Pulman Arena this weekend, with two sessions over two days. The tour will then culminate in a 12-team National Final, held at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium on Sunday 3rd September – with entry to all NZ Pro 3×3 Quest events open and free to the public.
The new look NZ Pro 3×3 Quest was launched in November last year, with 18 stops in total held across Auckland and Christchurch. The invite-only competition has featured the top 3×3 basketball players in New Zealand, with the aim of earning enough FIBA ranking points to be in position to qualify for upcoming pinnacle FIBA 3×3 events, including the Qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
BBNZ 3×3 Programme Manager, Nikolay Mikhalchuk says that the NZ Pro 3×3 Quest has been a successful undertaking for BBNZ – both from a talent evaluation perspective and a chance for Kiwi athletes to generate valuable FIBA 3×3 ranking points in order to represent New Zealand on the international stage.
“We’ve seen some hidden gems unearthed during our 3×3 stops earlier this year, including the likes of Tyler Herbert, who was relatively unknown to us prior to these events – but proved his talent at the stops to earn a place on the 3×3 Men’s U23 National Team that competed in China back in May,” says Mikhalchuk.
“Our main goal is to try to replicate the FIBA 3×3 environment domestically and integrate our top players into it. By doing so, we will make sure our athletes know what to expect while they are representing New Zealand at the more challenging top-tier FIBA 3×3 International Events.
“For us as a Federation, the more FIBA ranking points we can generate, the better. We are currently battling with up-and-coming 3×3 Nations such as Chile and Egypt for the Olympic Qualification spot and we need to make sure we have done everything in our powers to produce the most ranking points.”
Follow 3×3 Basketball in New Zealand via www.facebook.com/BBNZ3x3 and www.instagram.com/BBNZ3x3
NZ Pro 3×3 Quest – Auckland Stops
- Pulman Arena, Auckland – Sat 12 August, 4-7.30pm
- Pulman Arena, Auckland – Sun 13 August, 11am – 2.30pm
NZ Pro 3×3 Quest– National Final
- Eventfinda stadium, Auckland – Sun 3 September, 11am – 6pm
