Gangurrus 3×3 Basketball’s Road to Bronze: A FIBA Tournament Recap
Gangurrus 3×3 Basketball Claims Bronze at Inaugural Red Bull Champions Cup
Australia’s Gangurrus 3×3 basketball teams have secured bronze medals at the inaugural Red Bull 3×3 Champions Cup. Both the men’s and women’s squads demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience, finishing third in their respective draws with thrilling last-second victories. This achievement cements their position as strong contenders in international 3×3 basketball.
Gangurrus 3×3 Basketball Women Shine on the Global Stage
Led by Paris Olympian Anneli Maley, the women’s team overcame a tough start. Their campaign began with a challenging 13-21 loss to Spain. However, they bounced back strongly on day two, defeating Thailand (22-19) and France (21-18) to finish second in group play.
In the semi-finals, they faced Canada in a nail-biting contest, falling just short after a buzzer-beating two-pointer (16-18). Despite the heartbreak, they rallied in the bronze medal match against Germany. Hannah Hank’s late hook shot sealed the victory (18-17), securing the team a well-earned podium finish.
Maley dominated the boards, leading the tournament with 35 rebounds. Hank contributed 21 points, while Miela Sowah [Goodchild] emerged as the competition’s top scorer with 32 points. Isabelle Bourne also played a crucial role, adding 22 points. Sowah’s stellar performance earned her a spot on the Team of the Tournament.
Gangurrus 3×3 Basketball Men Make a Statement
The men’s team had a rocky start, falling to France (13-17). But they quickly regained momentum, overpowering Thailand (21-6) and stunning the United States (21-15) to advance to the semi-finals.
Facing world number one Serbia, the Gangurrus fought hard in overtime but fell just short (19-20). In the bronze medal match, they met the USA once again. Jonah Antonio’s sharp shooting and Dillon Stith’s dominant inside play helped Australia secure a dramatic 21-20 victory. Stith sealed the win with a clutch free throw.
Stith finished the tournament with 31 points, while Josh Davey anchored the defence with 14 rebounds. Higgins-Titsha made an impressive FIBA 3×3 debut, recording 37 points and seven blocks. His standout performance earned him a place on the Team of the Tournament.
Eyes on the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup
With the Red Bull Champions Cup behind them, the Gangurrus 3×3 basketball teams now shift focus to the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore. Both teams will aim to build on their success and defend their gold medals on the international stage.
Stay tuned for more updates as Australia’s Gangurrus 3×3 basketball stars continue to make their mark on the global stage!
