SME
The FIBA 3×3 Basketball World Tour in the futuristic city of NEOM for 2024 concluded this week with a thrilling finale, as Team Miami from the United States was crowned the world basketball champion after a strong final match in which they defeated Team Lehman of Serbia 22-19.
This victory marks a strong return to the forefront for Team Miami, whose last win was in Edmonton last July, and the team was able to regain its excellent form and achieve victory in NEOM after coming close to winning in the final stages. On the other hand, Team Zallaq from Bahrain was able to win the Women’s Cup title, adding an Arab success to the event.
Dylan Travis, star of Team Miami, praised the unique atmosphere that accompanied his team’s victory in the NEOM Beach Games Championship, stressing the importance of this achievement for the team that included James Bart, Mitch Hahn, and Trey Bardsley.
“Neither of us had ever won a tournament before, and this was the perfect way to end our long journey,” said Travis. “The NEOM community made us feel so welcome, with excellent hospitality and great food, and the camp was full of fun activities. “I felt like I was back in college, enjoying new experiences like diving and kayaking, and we made unforgettable memories thanks to this tournament and NEOM.” The NEOM stadium and the crowd atmosphere were some of the best in my professional 3×3 basketball career, and I look forward to returning next season.”
The fast-paced and exciting NEOM Basketball Championship attracted huge crowds for the third consecutive time, cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global destination for hosting major sporting events. As the world’s first team sport, 3×3 basketball has helped to increase the game’s popularity in the Kingdom and the Gulf region, underscoring the Kingdom’s strong support for international sports and its diverse sporting experiences.
Jan Patterson, NEOM Sports Director General, emphasized the significant development witnessed by the FIBA 3×3 Championship since its launch in NEOM during the first Beach Games in 2022, noting that this competition has evolved from the Super Quest event to last year’s Challenge, to the current edition that hosted the FIBA World Tour, which represents the pinnacle of FIBA 3×3 basketball.
Patterson said: “This progress reflects the commitment of the NEOM is committed to delivering world-class sporting events, supported by international partners, and developing a vibrant community around basketball. We are proud to be the destination for such global tournaments, which reinforces our position as a unique and attractive sports platform.”
Alex Sanchez, General Manager of FIBA 3×3, expressed his delight at the success of the World Tour in the stunning landscape of NEOM, saying: “We are delighted to see the appeal of our sport growing in Saudi Arabia, especially as we enter the third year of hosting 3×3 basketball in NEOM. We look forward to continuing our partnership with NEOM to bring more world-class events in this sport to this unique destination.”
The success of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in NEOM 2024 reflects NEOM’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s growing passion for basketball, as the tournament contributes to providing an amazing development platform for local talent, and inspires the next generation of 3×3 basketball stars
