(Via USA Basketball)
Following the success of the 3×3 tournament at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and FIBA’s (International Basketball Federation) recent announcement that it will conduct the FIBA 1st Invitational 3×3 Youth World Championship for boys and girls 18 years old and younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1993) from Sept. 9-11 in Rimini, Italy, USA Basketball today announced the players who will comprise the USA boys and girls 3×3 teams for the event.
“There’s no question that 3×3 international basketball competition has great potential and the success of the 3×3 competition at last summer’s Youth Olympic Games in Singapore is a perfect example,” said USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director Jim Tooley. “USA Basketball applauds FIBA for taking another step in developing a worldwide 3×3 competition and we look forward to working with FIBA in expanding 3×3 international competitions and growing the game as a whole.”
Selected to represent the USA boys 3×3 squad were four members of 2011-12 USA Basketball Developmental National Team: Shaqquan Aaron (Mater Dei H.S./Apple Valley, Calif.), Rondae Jefferson (Chester H.S./Chester, Pa.), Malik Price-Martin (Monsignor Edward Pace H.S./ Miami, Fla.), and Jordan Swopshire (Fort Zumwalt South H.S./Ofallon, Mo.).
Representing the United States girls 3×3 team are four members of the 2011 USA U16 National Team that just recently helped the U.S. claim gold at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship in June. Accepting invites to play for the USA girls were: Kaela Davis (Buford H.S./Suwanee, GA), Rebecca Greenwell (Owensboro Catholic H.S. /Owensboro, Ky.), Linnae Harper (Whitney M. Young H.S./Chicago, Ill.), and Taya Reimer (Hamilton Southeastern H.S. /Fishers, Ind.).
The four selected girls helped lead the USA to a 5-0 record and gold medal at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Merida, Mexico. Greenwell finished the USA’s leading scorer averaging 15.6 points and added 5.6 rebounds a game; Harper averaged 9.6 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and a team best 3.4 assists; Davis contributed 6.8 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 2.0 apg; and Reimer added 4.8 ppg. and 5.0 rpg.
Both USA teams will train Sept. 3-5 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. The draw and game schedule for the 1st Invitational 3×3 Youth World Championship will be announced by FIBA at a later date.
The 3×3 Youth World Championship boys competition will feature 36 teams that will be divided into four preliminary round groups consisting of nine teams each. The first four finishing teams from each group will advance to the eighth finals, with the winners advancing on to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Boys teams expected to participate include Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Guam, India, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, South Africa, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Serbia, Spain, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Venezuela.
The girls 3×3 Youth World Championship competition will feature 24 teams that will be divided into four preliminary round groups consisting of six teams each. The first four finishing teams from each group will advance to the eighth finals, with the winners advancing on to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Girls teams expected to participate include: Angola, Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Guam, India, Italy, Japan, Netherland, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Venezuela.
Under FIBA’s 3×3 rules, each game will consist of two 5:00 periods, with one 1:00 overtime period if needed. If the game is still tied after the first overtime, a second and final overtime is played and the first team to score two points wins. The team leading after completion of regular playing time, or the first team to score 21 points, will be declared the winner. Shots made outside the 3-point line are awarded two points, shots made inside the 3-point line are awarded one points, and each made free throw is worth one point. Additionally, a 12-second shot clock will be utilized.
