mystro
Years ago
NZ have again won the Fiba World 3x3 Champs after Reuban TeRangi, Tai Webster & Issac Fotu won the first tournament back in 2011.
Big men Sam Timmins & Tai Wynyard, stretch big Matt Freeman and Guard & Captain Nikau McCullough won this morning in Hungary beating out Argentina in the final 20-18.
Tai Wynyard was named Tournament MVP and finished second in scoring
Did Australia participate and how did they go?
Well done NZ
LC
Years ago
Australia did not attempt to take part and did not invest anything in trying to do so.
Mystro
Years ago
clearly Australia is watching the NBA finals and wasn't available
paul
Years ago
NZ beat Russia in the QFs and Spain in the SFs, super effort that. The US got beaten by France in the QFs.
The fact that the US lost in the quarters shows you how little significance this event has.
Anonymous
Years ago
Australia think they are above this comp, which is a shame as they would be able to get more athletes on the international stage
The U.S. put forward a team full of younger guys. This was somewhat of a second tier tournament - for nations other than NZ, at least
Wynyard is a beast.. He was man handling everybody. Had one hell of a block in the final too!
Ricey
Years ago
It's 3v3, and age capped too correct? Not really anything to aspire to nationally. Why would Australia bother wasting time and resources. Wouldn't even remotely help improve our actual focus, being 5v5. You know. Actual basketball games.
Mystro
Years ago
"Wynyard is a beast.. He was man handling everybody. Had one hell of a block in the final too!"
hell yeah that block on the Argentinians dunk attempt was awesome.
If anyone wants to watch the Final games go to youtube and FIBA 3x3 2015 and the day 4 recap has NZ Vs Russia, NZ Vs Spain and then the final against Argentina amongst the Dunk Comp and Womens games.
Timmons & Wynyard are both beasts but I was pretty impressed with Matt Freeman. A young athletic stretch big who moves his feet well on D against smaller quicker players and uses his length well and has the ability to step back and drain the 3 ball on offence. It will be interesting to see if he heads to the States or the Breakers Academy after High School.
"It's 3v3, and age capped too correct?"
Yes it's an under 18 FIBA sanctioned event.
It's a shame Australia don't participate. I guess they see more merit in taking a Senior Mens C or D Team to China each year (YouYi Games) than funding a small group of 16 and 17 year olds to play in a fun short tournament that allows them to showcase their individual skills more than traditional 5 on 5 basketball.
Yes it is a shame Australia do not enter these events. A couple of years ago Aus hosted the Youth Olympics which included 3x3 basketball and entered 2 teams as Hungary dropped out at the last minute and ended up with gold and silver in the men's and gold in the women's. I'm sure plenty of players would have jumped at the chance if offered.
I feel this is another example of just how broke BA actually are. The money for under age teams seems to be very tight. The curent U19 team at the worlds is a good example. Funding for Auscamps has been shrivelling for years. The original group targeted for this comp has been progressively shrinking with the demise if the AIS basketball program and shrinking back to the COE model.
Now we have a situation where economics is dictating that the national team includes all the under age scholarship holders because that saves money on having to bring players in to train in the lead up to the event. As there are not enough to fill a team the cheaper option then is to bring in the best from the recent u17 team as they are running the same game plan and will not require much training with the COE group to fit in.
This drying up of funding and commitment from BA, in my eyes, is the driving influence behind players like Ben Simons and Thon Maker choosing not to commit to Aus teams and focusing on forging their own way.
If funding is such an issue how is it they've flown a kid from the stats for the 17's
You need to be a registered user to post from this location. Register here.
Advertise on Hoops to a very focused, local and sports-keen audience. Email for rates and options.
An Australian basketball forum covering NBL, WNBL, ABL, Juniors plus NBA, WNBA, NZ, Europe, etc | Forum time is: 11:51 pm, Thu 26 Dec 2024 | Posts: 968,026 | Last 7 days: 754
