This new discipline is fast breaking, fast growing, and perfect for parks and rec departments
3x3 basketball might have been new to the Olympics (where the American women’s team won the gold medal), but it wasn’t new to anyone in the park and rec world, or those familiar with basketball in urban areas. In fact, the discipline—which has its roots in the urban game—has long been a staple of recreational play.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) first introduced 3x3 basketball (pronounced three-ex-three, not three-on-three, three-by-three, or any other permutation) as a sanctioned sport at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
Since then, 3x3 has grown internationally to include 3x3 World Cups at the U18 and open (adult) divisions. 2011 saw the first 3x3 U18 World Cups in Rimini, Italy. A year later, the FIBA 3x3 World Cups for the open divisions debuted in Athens. Countries, including China, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Spain, have all played host to FIBA 3x3 World Cups or FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cups.
USA Basketball is on a mission to grow it here. And park and recreation managers are the key to that growth.
“We’re hoping for development of the sport at the park and rec level,” says Jay Demings, who, as USA Basketball’s Youth & Sport Development Director, oversees all facets of the organization’s 3x3 teams, as well as youth basketball initiatives.