FIBA 3×3 at Spokane Hoopfest
What’s better than a little 3×3 and 3on3 mash-up, right? That’s what we thought too, so this year to make the Best Basketball Weekend on Earth just a little bit better, we’re pairing up with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and their style of 3×3 basketball. The Spokane Hoops 3×3 World Invitational is coming to Spokane Friday, June 28th in the middle of all the action at Nike Center Court.
FIBA added 3×3 basketball in 2010 at the Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore and it will become an Olympic event in 2020 at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Eight men’s and women’s teams will qualify for the Olympics in 2020 and there are two routes to get there; First by gaining points from winning tournaments in the World Tour (the professional circuit) or by qualifying via your country’s team through World Cup events.
“With the addition to the Olympics in 2020, 3on3 is about to take center stage in basketball worldwide and Hoopfest is thrilled to be one of the first organizations in the US to dive into the 3×3 movement. As a leader in 3on3, we believe it is important for Hoopfest to have a role in the developing 3×3 in the US as we ramp up to Tokyo 2020,” says Connor Walsh, Project & Events Manager, “The hope is to use this year’s event as the launching point into greater events that will have Olympic implications to bring some of the best 3×3 athletes from around the world to Spokane to add another exciting element to the Hoopfest week.”
What you’re going to see in 3×3 is a little bit different than the typical street ball you see at Hoopfest. The 3×3 game is played with a fast-paced style in only 10-minute games. There’s a 12-second shot clock, and no breaks or checking after scoring, players just take it back anywhere behind the three-point line. The game is to 21 points going by 1’s and 2’s and nonstop music playing to amp up the intensity. During the tournament there will be teams from the United States and Canada. There will be eight men’s teams playing in two pools of 4, with the top four teams advancing to the Semi Finals.
You can see 3×3 and 3on3 come together at the Spokane Hoops 3×3 World Invitational on Friday, June 28th from 12:00 pm-6:00 pm at Nike Center Court. The event is free for everyone. You can even check out the Hoopfest store, check-in your team and prep for the big weekend at the Toyota Shootoff while you’re there!
