The Australian women’s 3x3 team has announced its squad for the upcoming FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) to be held in India from the 18th to the 22nd of March 2020.
The following players and staff have the opportunity to represent Australia at the first 3x3 OQT:
- Rebecca Cole – Southside Flyers
- Maddie Garrick – Melbourne Boomers
- Keely Froling – Canberra Capitals
- Kelsey Griffin – Canberra Capitals
- Lauren Nicholson – Adelaide Lightning
Coach – Dave Biwer Physiotherapist – Jessica Thornton Team Manager – Priyanka Karunakaran The Australian women’s side will compete against 19 teams for a top 3 finish to book a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where 3x3 basketball will be featured for the first time with eight men’s and eight women’s teams competing for Gold. Australia has been placed in Group B, along with Iran, Japan, Ukraine and Turkmenistan. ‘’We’re excited about the opportunity to make our way to Tokyo 2020 and the fact that players like Kelsey Griffin and Lauren Nicholson are showing interest in 3x3,” says Dave Biwer, 3x3 Head Coach and Pathways Manager for Basketball Australia. “It’ll be challenging to manage timelines with the proximity to WNBL finals, but we will do our best to make sure that the girls are ready for intensity and physicality of 3x3 basketball. Our eyes are firmly set on a ticket to Tokyo, with a top-three finish in India.” An exciting and fast-paced game, 3x3 officially was unveiled in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and has since become a fan favourite at FIBA 3x3 World Cup events. Played on a half-court with a 10-minute clock and a 12-second shot clock, the first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation, is the winner. Australia’s schedule at the 2020 OQT (all times are AEST): March 18
th: Japan vs Australia at 4:55 pm March 18
th: Australia vs Ukraine at 6.20 pm March 20
th: Turkmenistan vs Australia at 4.30 pm March 20
th: Australia vs Iran at 5:55 pm March 22
nd: Finals
