The world’s best young 3×3 athletes will descend on the court in Wuhan, China, with Australia set to feature in both the men’s and women’s tournaments from September 15-19. 

But for the Gangurrus U23’s, this World Cup is more than just another international tournament. 

With Australia’s senior 3×3 programs continuing to establish themselves among the world’s best, the next generation now has its opportunity to make a statement of its own. 

The Gangurrus U23 men enter the tournament as the 19th seed, while the women sit 20th, placing both teams among the underdogs heading into the competition. 

Yet, with eight prospects eager for success the Gangurrus U23’s will be looking to defy the rankings and make a mark on the international stage. 

The men will face an immediate test, opening their campaign against 11th-seeded Poland before taking on sixth-seeded France later that day. 

Their pool campaign will then continue against 14th-seeded Kenya before a potentially decisive clash with third-seeded Algeria. 

With limited room for error, the squad featuring Griffin Biwer, Devan Craig, William Mahoney and Keegan Phillips will aim to put their underdog status to the test. 

Meanwhile, the U23 women face a similar daunting path. 

Tayla Brazel, Carla Pittman, Sophie Taylor and Catelyn Van Es will open their campaign against fifth-seeded Japan before taking on Kenya, 13th-seeded Slovenia and fourth-seeded United States. 

With the world’s best U23 3×3 players gathered in Wuhan, the tournament provides an opportunity for Australia’s U23’s to take the next step towards the senior international stage. 

3X3 Gangurrus U23 Men’s Squad
Griffin Biwer	William Mahoney
Devan Craig	Keegan Phillips
Coach: Shane McDonald
3×3 Gangurrus U23 Women’s Squad
Tayla Brazel	Sophie Taylor
Carla Pitman	Catelyn Van Es
Coach: Hannah Lowe

 

Schedule: Access the full FIBA 3X3 U23 World Cup Fixture here. 

 

Broadcast:  

Watch every game LIVE via the FIBA 3X3 YouTube channel here. 

Marena Whittle in action against the USA. Photo credit: FIBA 3×3

With only one win to their name after three games, the women’s Gangurrus team looked to be under the pump as they vied to return to the podium at this year’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland.

They may have only just survived the group stage, but this team, comprising Amy Atwell, Marena Whittle, Hannah Hank and Emma Clarke (and coached by Damon Lowery) were a resilient bunch with palpable chemistry. They didn’t just make it out of the pool stage, they came within one shot of winning it all.

Australia’s campaign began with a pool game against 10^th-seeded Mongolia. While the 21-15 final scoreline looks relatively comfortable, this was probably Australia’s least convincing effort, and despite a size advantage and some flashes of slick ball movement, they struggled to close out the game. Hannah Hank set the tone for her tournament by relentlessly hunting mismatches and finished with nine points and six rebounds, while Emma Clarke’s dominance on the boards (nine rebounds) helped Australia win this stat 26-16, and the extra possessions went a long way towards the win.