Jordan 3x3 tournament gets FIBA recognition

AMMAN — FIBA, the world governing body for basketball , has upgraded a tournament being held in Jordan next week so that it now becomes an avenue towards qualifying for a World Tour, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service. 

The Jordan 3x3 Spring Championship will take place at the King Hussein Business Park on May 5-6 and will feature many of the country’s top basketball players competing in a thrilling version of the sport.

There will be four categories with 16 teams confirmed for the men’s event, and a further eight taking part in the U-18 category. There will be eight teams in each of the seniors and the U-18 women’s categories.

“The event provides an opportunity for fans of the sport to see a new high speed and action packed version of basketball which has become a global craze,” said organiser, Ramez Kawar.

“We are delighted to announce that it has been given official recognition from FIBA who have upgraded the event to a ‘satellite’ tournament with the winner of the men’s going through to the next stage of eventually trying to make the 3x3 World Tour.”

That next stage is a “Challenger” event in Taiwan from September 9-10, and there is an added incentive for the women with the winners qualifying through to a tournament in Lebanon.

3x3 is gaining a foothold in Jordan who will include a male team for the upcoming 4th Islamic Solidarity Games to be held in Baku next month. The women, meanwhile, are also set to compete internationally for the first time with an U-18 3x3 side entered for the U-18 Asian Cup taking place in Malaysia, also next month.

“There is a lot planned locally for 3x3 which is growing in popularity in Jordan because it is fast and requires less space and equipment to play,” added Kawar.

“We are building a concrete base from which to grow. Next week’s tournament will showcase the sport to a wide audience and I encourage people to come down to see what it is all about.

“Some of the best male and female players in Jordan will be taking part so we expect a very high caliber event.”

3x3 is played on a half court with just one backboard and basket used. The clock rarely stops with possession changing hands immediately after each basket. Matches are 10 minutes long, or until a team reaches 21 points. Instead of two and three point baskets, 3x3 awards one and two points. The shot clock is just 12 seconds as opposed to 24 seconds in the full game and substitutes can only be made when the ball is dead.