About 3 on 3 Basketball

The 3 on 3 game is internationally recognized as a form of recreational basketball. Tournaments like Hoop It Up, Gus Macker, and Spokane HoopFest are known as the leaders in the market. The Spokane HoopsFest is host to over 7,000 teams playing on over 400 courts in front of crowds in excess of 200,000. 3 on 3 basketball tournaments are scheduled in just about every town in America at a grassroots level. One of the biggest strengths of 3 on 3 is its simplicity both in terms of rules and required facilities, allowing it to be held in unique locations with iconic landmarks, providing atmosphere exclusive to 3 on 3 basketball.

The amount of athletes who participate in 3 on 3 basketball around the world is astronomical and constantly growing. There are over 150 countries that play basketball, with over 450 million players worldwide basketball ranks among the most played recreational sports on the planet. 3 on 3 basketball is part of the Youth Olympic Games held in locations like China and Singapore as well as the U18 World Championships held in Indonesia, Spain, and Italy. The recently concluded FIBA 3x3 World Tour Beijing Masters is a tribute the game’s popularity with over 1,800 teams competing. Hungary hosts the 2015 3 on 3 World Championships which have been previously played in Greece and Russia. The tournament features 24 teams from countries around the world including New Zealand, Brazil, China, Netherlands, Uruguay, and the United States.

"Every country needs to look at the 3-on-3 format and how it best fits the development of the game of basketball. There are going to be many countries like Syria and Guam. They currently may not be considered as 5-on-5 powers, but the 3-on-3 format could be a tool for these countries to develop. It's like giving a home to all street ball players," - Patrick Baumann, President of the International Basketball Federation.

3 on 3 basketball is increasingly becoming a catalyst in the development of basketball. If you travel to any scholastic, collegiate, or professional team you will see each and every coach use the 3 on 3 methods to teach the game. John Wooden, UCLA Basketball’s Head Coach and winner of numerous NCAA Championships, routinely taught the game using 3 on 3 basketball. This has duplicated itself worldwide. 3 on 3 basketball has distinguished itself, standing apart, from the traditional 5 on 5 game.

The future of the 3BA involves highly organized competitions and professional leagues around the United States and the world. The high energy, fast paced, distinctive nature of 3 on 3 basketball is made for television and other digital forms of entertainment like streaming and video games. The 3BA offers an intense athletic competition that emphasizes speed, stamina, skills, and unique, contemporary, extreme rules. In addition, people love this game and want to play at a competitive level; sponsors can present their product or message to a vast audience; the costs to manage these events are low; and there is a vast amount of athletes that want to play 3 on 3 basketball.