The Southland Sharks have announced their line-up to compete in the 3x3 Cup and transtasman series at ILT Stadium Southland from October 25-28.
Sharks players Alonzo Burton and Tom Cowie return from last year’s title-winning team, joined by 2023 Shark Ben Hall and welcome back Sharks number 32, Ethan Rusbatch, who was playing for the Hawke’s Bay Hawks.
The 3x3 Cup will have 28 teams — 14 men’s and 10 women’s competing for the cup, while the men’s and women’s national teams for New Zealand and Australia will play the Trans-Tasman Cup, engaging in non-stop action over the four-day event in Invercargill.
The league’s general manager Maree Taylor said she was excited to bring top-level 3x3 basketball action back to Invercargill for the third year in a row.
"We’re excited to return to Invercargill for the 3x3 Cup to let the local community watch the best 3x3 basketball in the country," Taylor said.
"We can’t wait to see the teams on display and are thrilled to be working with ILT Stadium Southland to bring the first top-level 3x3 international basketball to the region with the inaugural Trans-Tasman Cup where New Zealand will host Australia on our shores for the very first time."
There will be one pool of 10 women’s teams and one pool of 14 men’s teams who will play round-robin games for the first three days.
All the women’s teams and 10 of the men’s teams will advance to the playoffs.
"It is the most immersive basketball experience you can get in New Zealand."
