GB RETURN TO 3X3 FRAY - Hoopsfix.com

GB RETURN TO 3X3 FRAY

Great Britain will – finally – field 3×3 teams this summer.

There will be men’s and women’s sides in two FIBA events this year – the Europe Cup qualifier and the Under-23 League of Nations.

It will be funded by Basketball England – who will solely select English players as part of the Team England player selection process and preparation for 3×3 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with a BBF release confirming: “It is an approach agreed with fellow Home Country Associations, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales.”

The other three UK home nations will receive a spin-off benefit, however. Provided GB remain above the next highest ranked European country from the Commonwealth in the world rankings at the end of September, then Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and some of the Channel Islands will enter a playoff tournament for one men’s and women’s entry in Birmingham next summer.

MVP understands the Commonwealth qualifiers will be played somewhere in Scotland between 29-31 December.

“This year marks a new start for the British Basketball Federation following December’s Progression lottery funding award, which has specific targets to re-establish the BBF, continue the improvements in both the women’s and men’s games and look towards Paris 2024 for 3×3 basketball,” said British Basketball Federation chair Toni Minichiello.

“What better way to do that than working in collaboration with the home countries, especially Basketball England the host nation, towards the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”