Hoop dreams: 3×3 b’ball gains momentum

Picking up where it left off, Cook Islands launched a ground-breaking 3x3 event in a bid to continue developing its potent basketball programme after a fantastic FIBA Polynesia Cup and Pacific Games showing.

A massive 3x3 joust split into four divisions was witnessed at the Cook Islands Games last week.

In partnership with Cook Islands Sports National Olympic Committee, the Cook Islands Basketball Federation had its largest 3x3 event participated by 11 women’s, 11 men’s, 10 master’s, and nine mixed teams much to the pride of Federation president George Williams.

“This concept was a fantastic idea, the sporting federations embraced it. With four divisions in 3x3, the tournament was a fantastic event and something that we're looking to do every two or four years from now on,” Williams said.

“It’s the first time that the main island had an event this big. A multi-sport competition of this size is a historical event in our country.”

The trailblazing event is another step forward for the Cook Islands after a masterful gold medal run of its women’s team in the 2018 FIBA Polynesia Cup, which paved the way for their return in last year’s Pacific Games after a long absence.

The Cook Islands eventually finished sixth in the stacked Pacific Games, including a silver medal finish in the 3x3 event while its boys’ and girls’ squads also qualified in the prestigious FIBA U17 Oceania Championships last year.

- FIBA

Full medal tally

U16 Division – Gold – Rarotonga, Silver – Pukapuka, Bronze – Rakahanga; Masters Division – Gold – Rarotonga, Silver – Aitutaki, Bronze – Pukapuka; Women’s Division – Gold – Manihiki, Silver – Atiu, Bronze – Pukapuka; Men’s Division – Gold – Rarotonga, Silver – Aitutaki, Bronze - Mauke