New Zealand teams win FIBA 3x3 World Cup Qualifier Asia 2022, earn last tickets to Antwerp

26 Mar 2022

DOHA (Qatar) - Both New Zealand teams qualified to the Crelan FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2022 after winning the Asian Qualifier in Doha, Qatar on March 25-26.

In the men's category, New Zealand defeated Iran in an absolutely thrilling final (21-20). After both teams had a chance to win the game, it was the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2015 MVP Tai Wynyard who drove to the basket for the game-winner, which sent the 3x3 Tall Blacks to Belgium. This marks New Zealand's comeback to the FIBA 3x3 World Cup with the men's team after missing the last edition in Amsterdam in 2019.  

The speedy 24-year-old Nikau McCullough led all scorers in the men's category with 37 points. He had 11 in the final only, including a clutch two to tie the game at 20.

New Zealand also went undefeated in the women's competition but gave their fans a little more breathing room, with a 19-12 triumph in the final against Uzbekistan. The 23-year-old Tiarna Clarke shot the lights out for the 3x3 Tall Ferns in Doha. She led all players in scoring with 30 points, with a game-high 10 in the final.

FINAL STANDINGS

Men:
1.  New Zealand
2.  Iran
3. Qatar
4.  Malaysia
5.  Sri Lanka
6. Kazakhstan

Women:
1. New Zealand
2. Uzbekistan
3. Iran
4. Kazakhstan
5. Sri Lanka
6. Qatar

The seventh edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup will take place in Antwerp, Belgium on June 21-26. 

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About 3x3

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly  professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions.

3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Wilson is the Global Ball Partner. FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks and the Magic Sky canopy system.

For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on DouyinFacebookInstagramSina WeiboTencentTikTokTwitch, TwitterYouku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.