Photo by Basketball in the City: The Rise of 3x3
I still remember the day when the German 3x3 basketball team won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. It was a moment of pure joy, and I couldn’t help but think about how this victory would impact the sport in our country. As a long-time fan of basketball, I’ve always been fascinated by the 3x3 format. It’s fast-paced, intense, and requires a level of skill and strategy that’s different from the traditional 5-on-5 game.
So, I decided to reach out to some of the key players in the German basketball scene to get their take on the current state of 3x3 basketball in our country. I spoke with Pia Mankertz, the captain of the Avides Hurricanes, a team that plays in the second division. Pia has played 3x3 basketball herself and has a deep understanding of the game.
“I don’t think 3x3 will replace traditional basketball,” she told me. “It’s more like a nice alternative to play over the summer.”
The Hurricanes have a talented young player named Luise Linke who has already made a name for herself in the 3x3 scene. She won a bronze medal with the German U17 team at the European Championships last year and is currently preparing for the World Championships in France.
Despite the success of the German team at the Olympics, it’s clear that there are still some challenges to overcome before 3x3 basketball can become a mainstream sport in our country. One of the main issues is the lack of dedicated 3x3 courts. While there are some outdoor basketball courts that can be used for 3x3, they often don’t have the correct markings or equipment.
“We need more courts that are specifically designed for 3x3 basketball,” said Lennart Sandrock, who is in charge of 3x3 development at the Niedersächsischer Basketball-Verband (NBV). “We have some mobile courts that can be set up in different locations, but we need more permanent facilities.”
The city of Göttingen has invested 50,000 euros in a new 3x3 court, which is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to support the growth of the sport.
So, what’s next for 3x3 basketball in Germany? Will we see a boom in popularity following the Olympic victory? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the future of 3x3 basketball looks bright.
