1. Nothing else like it
Firstly, there’s nothing else like it in the sports world. The tournament, from 15-18 November, pits the world’s best university teams against each other and has the ballers playing in their uni colours instead of national jerseys. University pride, on a world stage. Perfect setting.
2. The Mongolians coming straight from Buenos Aires
The Mon Altius Physical Education Institute of Mongolia killed it in Xiamen last year and there’s no reason to believe the defending champions won’t do it again. While it’s a different squad to the one that played in 2017, all four of these guys below, were competing for Mongolia at the Youth Olympics in October this year.
Team Mongolia (photo courtesy FIBA3x3)3. Blockbuster match on Day One
Bring out the popcorn for the clash between twice champions McGill University of Canada (2015-2016) and Lithuanian heavyweights Vytautus Magnus University on the very first day. It’s going to be a no-holds-barred contest as the Canadians aim to start on the best note, hoping to make up for missing out on the title last year. The full tournament schedule can be found here.
4. Philipp Sprung’s menu and play
German Philipp Sprung told us he loves to eat and is super excited about eating authentic Chinese cuisine in Xiamen. His Insta feed will tell us what he’s eating and then we absolutely have to check out if all that hot spicy food has him moving like a rocket on court the next day.
5. It’s an Olympic sport!
You want a serious reason? It doesn’t get bigger than this. 3×3 Basketball is now an Olympic sport in its own right. It was officially announced as a new Olympic sport in June 2017 and will debut at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. In fact, the race to Tokyo starts right about now, with the ranking points earned between November 2018 and November 2019 deciding qualification for Tokyo.
6. The game lasts 10 minutes
Yes! Plus, it is played on half a court with just one hoop. And that means the intensity is nonstop. There’s no halftime, no quarters, and therefore not a minute that isn’t knock-your-socks-off exciting. No wonder it is the world’s most popular urban sport. So, get with it. Rules explained here.
7. Big man Zac Easthope
The towering 6-foot-9-inch, 120-kilo Aucklander (left) is already an imposing figure on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour and he’s thrilled about heading to Xiamen. “3×3 basketball is special because it has opened up so many pathways to international play that may not have been an option for a lot of players,” he says.
8. Nonstop action
As if a new match starting every twenty minutes wasn’t enough, the days’ schedule will be peppered with courtside entertainment, host institute Huaqiao University’s cheerleading squad, constant music that is now a hallmark of 3×3, and lively emcees who will keep the crowd on their feet.
9. Five continents represented
Just like in World Cups, the qualifying format is such that each of the 5 continents are represented by their best teams. All 16 teams in both, the men’s and women’s fields, have come through tough continental qualifiers held in Oceania, Asia, Americas, Africa and Europe. Say yay for diversity.
10. An insane final day!
Mark November 18 on your calendars as you will get to watch quarterfinals, semifinals and finals back to back. Add to that the 3rd place playoff matches and what you have is 16 matches in the day, i.e. a bonanza for basketball fans. Not to be missed.
The FISU 3×3 World University League 2018 Finals will be held in Xiamen, China, from 15-18 November.
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