Kiwi 3x3 Basketball Challenge, Founder's Cup

Expressions of interest are now open for the 2014 season of the Kiwi 3x3 Basketball Challenge.  The season will start in May with the Founder's Cup. This is the start of a series of tournaments every month with the monthly winners going for the overall championship in December 2014.

Our primary purpose is to nurture, promote and develop character building through 3x3 basketball.  This league is designed for young boys and girls who are 9-15 years old who love to play 3x3 basketball.  There are four categories: U11, U13, U15, and a girl's team.  Number of players per team should be 3-4. Registration fee is $10 per player.  Open to all multicultural groups.

According to the New Zealand Institute of Sport, basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.  And this will only increase from now on with the glowing performance of Steven Adams in the NBA and the forthcoming World Basketball Cup in Barcelona, Spain when the New Zealand Tall Blacks will play in the group with Team USA.

For more information please send your email to info@kiwi3x3basketball.co.nz.

Bikini Basketball League

A new kid on the block ... but they don't wear bikinis ... the players wear sports bras and boy shorts.  This is the Bikini Basketball Association an American women's basketball league.  This sport is trying to follow the footsteps of beach volleyball.

When beach volleyball started in the 1920s it was the nudists who were the early adopters.  The concept was later on adapted by others until it became a popular outdoor sport.

Bikini Basketball is gaining traction, just look at the number of teams signed up. The team names are very creative and imaginative.  So far it hasn't reached yet the shores of New Zealand but I've heard of some people talking about it and probably going for it in the near future.  Perhaps by next summer?  Watch this space!

Kiwi 3x3 Basketball Challenge, Founder's Cup

The Kiwi 3x3 Basketball Challenge, Founder's Cup is now accepting expressions of interest for boys and girls who would like to play 3x3 basketball.  This will be the first in a series of tournaments for 2014.  There will be four categories: U12, U15, U18, and a girl's team.  Games are tentatively set at the YMCA-Hamilton gym on Pembroke Street.

Recent action during BK3x3

Our primary purpose is to nurture, promote and develop character building through 3x3 basketball.  This tournament is designed for boys and girls who are 9-18 years old who love to play 3x3 basketball.

Form a team now of 3-4 players.  Registration fee is $30 per team.  Deadline is on April 22, 2014.  Please send in your team details to info@kiwi3x3basketball.co.nz.  This is a project of FunRunMedia Limited.

According to the New Zealand Institute of Sport, basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.  And this will only increase from now on with the glowing performance of Steven Adams in the NBA and the forthcoming World Basketball Cup in Barcelona, Spain when the Tall Blacks get to play with Team USA.

Palestine's first international player

Palestine has always been in the headlines.  This time they're there for a different reason---basketball.  Please click interview with Sakakini to read on. I believe music is a universal language, one may not know the lyrics but the melody evokes familiar feelings and thoughts.  It's the same now with basketball, one may come from different countries and cultures but all get into the groove when playing basketball.

Hooray for music and basketball, two of my favourites and both with a universality that transcends boundaries, leading to a peaceful and beautiful world!

FIBA's new 3x3 rules tested in Romania

Bucharest, Romania is described by Sports Illustrated as the "Mecca of 3x3 Basketball." and it was the perfect place to try out FIBA's new 3x3 rules.

New 3x3 rules were tested
in Romania recently.

The main rule is in relation to personal fouls, which have now been eliminated.  Once a team has committed 7 fouls, the opponent gets 2 free throws.  Should the fouls exceed 10, the opponents get 2 free throws and regain ball possession.

Let's see how this new rule works here.  My personal take on this new rule, as long as it doesn't get in the way of a fast-paced game, I'm all for it.  I don't want to see the game come down to a "free-throw contest" to determine the winner.  I see 3x3 basketball as one that needs strategy and a good play to make it work.

FIBA still hoping that Rio 2016 door may open for 3x3

I got this bit of information from Inside the Games.  It would be interesting how this will progress with less than four years to go before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  But for the moment, we Kiwis should continue honing our skills and preparing our body and mind for the game of 3x3 basketball.  We won the first FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championship held in Rimini, Italy in 2011. Let's keep that in mind.

Should we have naturalised basketball players in our national team?

NZ had a 4th-place finish at the 2002 FIBA World Championship held in Indianapolis, USA.  We've always sent competitive teams overseas.  This year we're in Group C together with the USA and Turkey for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

Since 1992, countries have started sending their players to play in the NBA and bring back that experience when they play for their respective countries.  Other countries have began naturalising potential players who can boost their national teams.  Historically, we've only had 3 players in the NBA:

Sean Marks (6-10) started his 12-year NBA experience (1998-2010) with the New York Knicks, then moved on to the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Seattle Supersonics, New Orleans Hornets, Charlotte Bobcats, and competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games as well as in our 4th-place finish at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.

Kirk Penney (6-5) had a first taste of NBA experience with the Miami Heat in 2003, then he played mostly in the European league with some stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Ashville Altitude, NZ Breakers, and Sioux Falls Skyforce. At present he plays in the highly competitive Turkish league.

Steven Adams (7-0) was the 12th overall NBA draft pick and was picked up by the Oklahoma City Thunder.  This NBA Rising Star is closely watched by players, coaches, fans and the media.  So far, he has had a very credible performance.

Our best bet to have a good track record in the coming FIBA Basketball World Cup is to bring Steven Adams home to play for the Tall Blacks.  Or should we also do whats done by other countries, naturalise potential players?  I'll leave the crystal-ball gazing to you!