Basketball 3×3 is making its Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham next year, with the Australian men’s and women’s teams qualified amongst the confirmed 14 nations vying for the gold medal.

After successfully stealing the show in its Olympic debut in Tokyo, Basketball 3×3 has been included in other major sporting events such as the Asian Games and now the Commonwealth Games joins its ranks.

The Australian sides are hungry to establish themselves as the most dominant Basketball 3×3 team in the Commonwealth, after not having the opportunity to play together due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with the women’s side narrowly missing out on an Olympic berth earlier this year.

The Australian men’s team are the reigning two-time FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup champions, going undefeated on their way to a gold medal when the tournament was last held in 2019.

While the Australian women’s team are the 2019 Asia Cup where they beat Kazakhstan in the final.

WNBL stars Bec Cole, Keely Froling and Maddie Garrick have led the charge for the women’s team in the 3×3 program, while Gold Coast 2018 gold medallist Alice Kunek has also been a core member of the 3×3 team over the past few years.

One of Australia’s best women’s 3×3 basketball players Garrick is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the sport to Australian fans and the rest of the nations and territories in the Commonwealth and bring the party to the Birmingham Games.

“We are super excited to go, I’m super excited, I’m obsessed with anything to do with the Australian Team at the Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, I love the Opening Ceremonies,” Garrick said during Commonwealth Games Australia’s ‘300 Days to Go’ show.

“So having the opportunity to be a part of it and for the sport of 3x 3, for our 3×3 squad members, and being a part of the whole Australian Team is exciting.”

 

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“It is excellent news that our Australian men’s and women’s 3×3 teams have qualified for the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Australian 3×3 Coach David Biwer said.

“After a disrupted Tokyo Olympics qualifying campaign due to COVID-19 and the heartbreak of missing out on qualification, we know our squads have put all their efforts and focus on making sure they are ready to be bold in Birmingham.

“Australia has enjoyed a golden history in basketball at the Commonwealth Games, with our 5×5 Boomers and Opals sides winning gold at the Melbourne 2006 and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and now our 3×3 squads have the opportunity to add their own chapters to the story.

“We are excited to be again involved with the Commonwealth Sport movement and thrilled not only to see Basketball 3×3 make its Commonwealth Games debut but also Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 makes its debut on the sports program in Birmingham.”

Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM said it was exciting to see team qualifications beginning to take shape.

“We welcome the formal announcement of the qualification of our Australian Basketball 3×3 teams for the Games,” Thomas said.

“Australians love basketball, and it is exciting to welcome a new sport in Basketball 3×3 and Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 into the Commonwealth Games environment.

“The qualification announcement is thrilling for our Australian Basketball 3×3 players who are motivated to don the green and gold in Birmingham, and we hope our Australian Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 teams will receive the same good news soon after the qualification tournament taking place in 2022.

“These Basketball 3×3 teams will join the Australian women’s T20 cricket team and the Australian Diamonds netball team in having their qualifications confirmed and we are also beginning to see athletes setting individual qualification performances for the Games, which is all bringing the countdown to the Games into a sharp focus.”

Fourteen men’s and women’s teams have qualified for Birmingham with the final spots to be determined at the Home Nations Qualification Tournament on December 28 in Paisley, Scotland, where Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will compete.

Men’s Category

In the men’s, Great Britain receive two qualifications as England directly qualify as hosts and another country will also be included through the Home Nations Qualifier.

The hosts might even dare to dream of gold but 3×3 powers Australia and Canada loom as favourites given their experience, depth of talent and success on the big stage.

It’s a loaded field with New Zealand, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago also experienced campaigners in major events.

Women’s Category

It is expected to be a hard-fought battle between 3×3 powers Canada and Australia, who are two of the best in the business.

Basketball has previously been played at the Melbourne 2006 and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, where the Australian Opals and Boomers won gold at both Games.

But that was the standard 5×5 full court version, fans at the Birmingham Games will experience the fast and furious version of the sport.

With only half a court and just one hoop for both teams to attack, gaining possession and using it well is the key to the game.

The court isn’t the only thing that’s been cut in half.

With just 12 seconds on the shot clock instead of the 24 permitted in full court basketball, 3×3 offers high octane action at every turn.

Each team is made up of three players, plus one substitute.

Shots scored from inside the arc-shaped scoring zone are worth one point each, while shots taken from behind the arc area put two on the board.

The Birmingham Games will also feature the historic debut of Wheelchair Basketball 3×3, as part of the biggest Para-sport program in Commonwealth Games history.

The Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 teams are yet to be announced.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place from 28 July to 8 August, with the 3×3 basketball tournament to take place at Smithfield in downtown Birmingham from Friday 29 July through Tuesday 2 August.

To be in the stands in Birmingham supporting the Basketball 3×3 teams and the rest of the Australian team, for the first time Australian families and fans will be able to access group tickets for all events at the Commonwealth Games.

The Family & Fans Tour ensures Australian families and fans can sit and cheer together, stay together and play together at the Birmingham Games.

Tour packages are available for all sports; however, numbers are limited.

Bookings are now open, learn more about the Family & Fans Tour below.