Ever since 3×3 basketball made its Olympic debut in 2021, excitement around this unique take on the game has steadily grown. This weekend, eight teams of four women each will be vying for prize money and a berth at a FIBA (International Basketball Federation) 3×3 tour event at this weekend’s 3×3 Basketball Association (3XBA) tournament in Spokane, Washington.
Among the competitors will be 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Cierra Burdick, Columbia alumna Camille Zimmerman and recent Harvard graduate Harmoni Turner, who earned gold at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup. The participating players comprise over 20% of the women selected in April’s WNBA Draft.
“I played 3×3 when it was super unknown, and it was the most fun basketball I’ve ever played,” said Lakin Roland, general manager and head of operations for 3XBA, who played 5×5 at Dartmouth and internationally. “It’s such a refreshing opportunity to play a very similar game but with totally different strategy and tactics. The pace, the lack of a coach, the way that you win and lose is different.”
Olympic and World Cup style 3×3 is played in the half court. Coaches are not allowed on the court. Each basket, including free throws, inside the arc receives one point. Outside the arc is two points. The first team to 21 points wins. If neither team has 21 points at the end of 10 minutes of play, the team with the higher score wins.
“I like the pace, I like the autonomy that we have on the court — being able to coach ourselves and critique things or continue to do what is working,” said Turner. “The joy that you have is hard to explain until you experience playing it. You have so much fun playing 3×3 because you can’t do anything but get better the more games you play. I’m really stoked for this opportunity.”
FIBA’s 3×3 women’s series runs May to September. The winning team of the 3XBA tournament will play at the upcoming event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 3XBA staff picked the athletes and assigned the teams for this Spokane tournament. The players are taking part in a training camp before the competition. The two-day tournament will be featured during a massive Hoopfest event, with outdoor courts being constructed around the streets of Spokane.
“All of our games are going to be on one court, which is called center court,” said Roland.
The tournament will stream through the All Women’s Sports Network on Pluto TV as well as air on the local NBC affiliate in Spokane.