Image credit: Australian Olympic Committee
The Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team are set to make history in Paris, as the Gangurrus contest the Olympic 3×3 Basketball competition for the first time.
Captain Anneli Maley leads the team, with Birmingham 2022 bronze medallists Alex ‘Ally’ Wilson, Lauren Mansfield, and Marena Whittle joining her on the court.
All four players will make their Olympic debut, with the format itself only appearing on the sport programme for the second time following its debut in Tokyo.
The Gangurrus will face off against all other nations contesting the 8-team 3×3 tournament, taking on Canada, Germany, China, USA, Azerbaijan, Spain, and France.
3×3 Basketball provides a fast-paced, shortened form of the game, that utilises half the court and only one hoop for scoring.
Maley said Aussie fans are going to fall in love with the 3×3 format.
“I’m so incredibly proud to be going to the Olympics,” she said. “This is the 3×3 Olympic debut for Australia and to be part of that history is absolutely wild.
“Our team is incredible, we have overcome so many challenges to get here so we won’t be leaving anything on the court in Paris. This is a dream for me and for those who don’t know about 3×3 – tune in you’re gonna love it. Bring on Paris I can’t wait.”
The 3×3 Basketball competition will be held from Tuesday 30 July to Monday 5 August at the La Concorde venue in Paris.
With thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee and Basketball Australia.