CURRENT and former stars from the WNBL and NBL as well as the top 3x3 players in the country, including former Shoalhaven Tiger Darcy Harding, have been named in the men’s and women’s teams for the upcoming 2018 FIBA Asia Cup.
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Held from April 27-May 1 in Shenzhen, China, the Australian women are the defending champions while the men previously took home bronze.
Both will be guided by head coach David Biwer this year.
The women’s team will see the return of Carlie Smith, an integral part of the gold medal winning lineup alongside WNBL stars Maddie Garrick, Bec Cole (Melbourne Boomers) and Keely Froling (Canberra Capitals)
The number one ranked 3x3 player in Australia, Andrew Steel, is joined by fellow bronze medallist Owen Odigie with Sydney Kings big man Tom Garlepp and Tom Wright the new additions to the team.
Both the men’s and women’s team are comprised of stars who have been actively competing in 3x3 hustle events around Australia, with many expected to suit up for the pro hustle events taking place in April and May where $15,000 in prize money will be on the line for both men and women in each event.
A FIBA Challenger tournament will also be held in Sydney at Circular Quay from May 19-20, when 11 teams from Asia-Pacific and Europe take on five Australian teams that finished in the top five of the pro hustle series.
In addition to the teams for the Asia Cup, an extended squad has been named with these players stepping in should the teams need to be altered prior to the start of the tournament.
Names in that squad include NBL veterans Anthony Petrie, Oscar Forman, Peter Crawford, Tommy Greer, 3x3 Asia Cup bronze medallists Lucas Barker and Darcy Harding along with 2017 SEABL MVP Simon Conn.
For the women, AFLW star Monique Conti joins Carley Mijovic, Amelia Todhunter, Nadeen Payne and former 3x3 Asia Cup gold medallists Chantella Pererra and Sarah McAppion among those putting their hand up for selection.
The 2018 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup begins on April 27 when both Australian teams will have to advance to the official tournament through a qualifying draw.
The men must finish on top of Group B against Indonesia, Iran, Samoa, Guam and Hong Kong and if they are successful, they will take on New Zealand and Kazakhstan in Pool D of the official tournament.
The women will come up against Sri Lanka, Thailand and Samoa and if they finish that qualifying draw on top, they will take on Japan and Iran starting April 29.
Australian 3x3 teams for 2018 FIBA Asia Cup:
Men: Andrew Steel, Owen Odigie, Tom Garlepp, Tom Wright
Women: Maddie Garrick, Bec Cole, Carlie Smith, Keely Froling
Extended 3x3 squads for the 2018 FIBA Asia Cup:
Men: Anthony Petrie, Oscar Forman, Peter Crawford, Tommy Greer, Darcy Harding, Lucas Barker, Simon Conn
Women: Monique Conti, Carley Mijovic, Amelia Todhunter, Nadeen Payne, Chantella Pererra, Sarah McAppion
