Burger King 3x3 Tour hits the Mount

IN CONTROL: W.O.S. player Sam Paterson makes a basket versus Anytime Anyplace at the Burger King 3x3 at Blake Park on Saturday. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

More evidence of the rapid growth in basketball was on show at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

The fourth Burger King 3x3 Quest tour drew record number of teams competing. The winners of the open men's grade will join the other 14 regional winners at the 2017 World Tour Qualifier Final, to be played in Auckland on March 25, with the top New Zealand team to go to World Tour Masters in Asia.

3x3 (pronounced 3 on 3), also known as street ball, is played three a side on one hoop. It is the largest urban team sport in the world (ESSEC study commissioned by IOC) with over 250 million players worldwide and is helping to grow the surge in basketball in New Zealand.

General Manager of the Tauranga City Basketball Association, Mark Rogers, says basketball participation continues to grow considerably as it becomes increasingly popular and more accessible.

"For the second year running Tauranga City Basketball has been running a summer series of 3x3 events over December and January. Numbers at the events have grown by almost 100 per cent so interest in the 3x3 game is definitely growing," Rogers said.

"We are also planning a twilight 3x3 series over February, which is a new initiative this year that will give players even more opportunity to step on court.

"It is great to have the National 3x3 tour back in Tauranga...the opportunity to be part of a national programme with the chance to qualify for an international event for the men is very exciting."

Basketball New Zealand's 3x3 Manager, David Huxford, says the Burger King 3x3 Quest Tour gives players a great opportunity to be spotted by the national talent selector.

"New Zealand was an early adopter of 3x3. In 2017, Basketball New Zealand will be sending five teams overseas to play in FIBA 3x3 events, so we're looking for some really talented players to sign up.

"And who knows, maybe there's a few future Olympians in the bunch - one of the most exciting events this year will be the announcement in June by the IOC as to whether or not 3x3 will be included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

"We've been directing our 3x3 programme towards this, so we're waiting for the announcement with bated breath."

In action at Blake Park on Saturday was Joe Lowe, 24, from Tauranga's W.O.S team.

He says 3x3 is "quick, it is hard work, is more fun and less organised, so you can get away with a bit more on court".

"They have come here today from out of town so it is good for Tauranga basketball and basketball in general."

Lowe says the popularity of the NBA in New Zealand, particularly due to Steven Adams at Oklahoma Thunder, is a massive part in the rise of basketball.

"We all follow the NBA and obviously follow Steven Adams. You will see heaps of kids with Thunder uniforms because of him."