Sep 13 2026

Ireland took on Latvia and Lithuania at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup in Antwerp, Belgium, competing in the tournament for a second consecutive year. Following the two defeats, head coach Darren McGovern spoke about the influence of these tournaments on the 3×3 scene in Ireland.

“Playing at the highest level of European international 3×3 is a massive achievement for this group. We have put in a good body of work on and off the court to keep 3×3 building in Ireland. It’s a sport we can certainly develop and knock down some doors to one day win games here at the FIBA 3x3Europe Cup,” said McGovern.

“I want to thank the players this season. It’s up to them to make sure they are ready to go again next year at Qualifiers as we have targets on our backs there.”

Jordan Blount clinched a tournament double-double, racking up 11 points and rebounds over the two games. The squad remained unchanged from the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifiers in Kosovo, where Darren McGovern also selected Matt Treacy, Ryan Leonard and Lucien Christofis.

Treacy and Blount took to the court in Copenhagen in 2025 for the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup alongside Sean Jenkins and John Carroll, where Ireland lost out to previous 3×3 Olympic champions Latvia and Netherlands. This year, Leonard and Christofis accompanied the veterans having previously played together with the Dublin 3×3 team.

Ryan Leonard at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Antwerp, Belgium

Ireland drew the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup champions Latvia and the defending FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Champions Lithuania in Pool C of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup. The top two teams were guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals, meaning one win was enough to progress.

Latvia opened the scoring in game one with a lay-up by Kristaps Gluditis, only for Treacy to put Ireland ahead with a two-pointer, coming off the back of a Leonard block. Christofis and Leonard secured the next three Irish buckets, knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Latvia began to stretch the lead after the midway point, eventually taking a 19-12 lead with only two minutes to play. Treacy’s consolation lay-up in the final minute wasn’t enough as Latvia made it 21-15 with four seconds left.

Lithuania awaited Ireland in game two, with the Baltic side coming into the tournament in third seed. Lithuania took an early 3-0 lead inside the first minute, before Blount replied with Ireland’s first point. Blount’s turnaround two levelled the game up at 4-4, but Evaldas Šaulys’ lay-up gave Lithuania a one-point lead at the first timeout. The highlight of the game came at the five minute mark, when Blount found Treacy with a behind the head pass in the paint, narrowing Ireland’s deficit to six. Lithuania kept the pressure on, and ultimately won the game with a two-pointer to make it 21-9.

Tero Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. has officially launched Quest India 2026, bringing the dynamic and rapidly growing Olympic sport of 3×3 basketball to India with the backing of the Basketball Federation of India and FIBA.

Tero Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. officially launched Quest India 2026 3×3 basketball, as a first step in bringing the world’s fastest-growing urban sport to India. It is backed by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and endorsed by FIBA.

Understanding 3×3 Basketball: The Urban Sport Phenomenon

Unlike traditional five-on-five basketball, 3×3 is played on a half-court with a relentless 12-second shot clock. Games last just 10 minutes, or end the moment a team hits 21 points. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed, constantly moving high-energy game designed around skill and technique. With DJs spinning throughout FIBA 3×3 events and fans sitting right on the baseline, the sport naturally blends elite athleticism with street culture.

Since its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, 3×3 has rapidly evolved. It captivated audiences at Paris 2024, is set to expand from eight to 12 teams at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, and remains a staple of the Commonwealth Games.

Kicking off with the Quest event on September 12-13, 2026, at DLF Promenade – Emporio, the inaugural event will fuse elite, intense 3×3 competition with music, interactive fan zones, and the distinctive urban energy that has made the format a global phenomenon and an Olympic sport.

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GOLD COAST (Australia) – Oceania’s 3×3 development pathway continues to accelerate with the second FIBA Oceania 3×3 High Performance Camp, held on the Gold Coast.

Building on the momentum of the inaugural edition, this year’s camp brings together 20 female athletes, 10 coaches, and seven referees from across the region, supported through collaboration between PacificAus Sports, Olympic Solidarity, Commonwealth Sport, Griffith University, and the City of Gold Coast.

The camp directly supports the FIBA Global 3×3 Strategy, which prioritises strengthening high‑performance pathways, expanding the talent base, and elevating the standard of play across all regions. By bringing together emerging athletes, coaches, and referees from across the region, the program accelerates development in a discipline where Oceania continues to show rapid growth and competitive potential.

Athletes from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia have assembled for five days of intensive on‑court training, physical preparation, and education sessions designed to elevate their performance in the fast‑growing 3×3 discipline. Coaches from those nations, along with representatives from Vanuatu and Kiribati, are also participating in a dedicated development stream, while referees from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Palau are undertaking targeted officiating workshops and match play assessments.

This year’s camp arrives at a pivotal moment for the region.

Female athletes from Fiji, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea are in the final stages of preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where 3×3 basketball will feature prominently. Meanwhile, emerging players from Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Tonga are gearing up for next month’s FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania, which will serve as a key benchmark for the region’s rising talent.

Aligned with FIBA’s strategic priorities to empower National Federations and strengthen pathways in youth and women’s basketball, the camp provides a holistic development environment, combining high‑intensity training, competition scenarios, leadership development, and education around wellbeing, recovery, and the unique demands of 3×3.

“These camps are critical to building sustainable pathways for athletes, coaches, and referees in the 3×3 discipline,” FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said.

“Every participant here is part of a growing movement that is reshaping what high‑performance basketball looks like in our region. The commitment of PacificAus Sports, Olympic Solidarity, Commonwealth Sport, and Griffith University allows us to deliver opportunities that simply wouldn’t exist without their support.

With a shared focus on long‑term development, the second FIBA Oceania 3×3 High Performance Camp continues to strengthen the region’s competitive foundations, ensuring that athletes, coaches, and referees in the region are equipped to excel on the international stage and contribute to the community and global growth of 3×3 basketball.

About PacificAus Sports

PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program supports a range of Pacific sports, including basketball, rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women and men.

PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.