Hoop It Up to showcase first-ever FIBA Americas U18 3x3 Championships

19 Aug 2013

WASHINGTON D.C. (3x3) - The talent-loaded event will highlight the World 3x3 Festival organised by America's 3x3 pioneers in Washington D.C (USA) on 31 August-1 September.

Hoop It Up is the original 3x3 national grassroots streetball tour established in 1989 reaching more than 500,000 players over the past two decades and is a key partner for FIBA in the development of 3x3 in the US.

On 10-11 August, three teams coming from Hoop It Up tournaments took part in the San Juan Masters of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour, the top 3x3 competition featuring teams representing cities regardless of their nationalities.

The FIBA Americas U18 3x3 Championships join a growing network of national team 3x3 competitions. Canada, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Belize and the USA will feature in the men's tournament while Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the USA will highlight the women's tournament.

Several teams will use the experience and fierce competition to prepare for the upcoming 2013 FIBA U18 World Championships hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 26-29 September. By playing in Washington, teams will moreover increase their chances to participate in the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.

A number of 3x3 and NBA prospects will hit the floor at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center including Team USA’s big man and high school prodigy Cliff Alexander.

The 2013 FIBA Americas U18 3x3 Championships will headline the World 3x3 Festival, which also stars the Hoop It Up Nationals, a mouth-watering 3x3 event which will feature the best teams from the various Hoop It Up tournaments this year. Additional teams can register online. Deadline for registration is Monday 26 August 2013.

FIBA