Short-form game set to swamp the North

AN explosion in popularity of basketball’s shortest format will see more than 70 teams descend on Launceston for today’s 3x3 Big Hustle Tasmanian championships.

A total of 76 outfits from around the state from under-12s to seniors will take part in the tournament at Elphin Sports Centre, more than double the turnout Basketball Tasmania expected when it opened expressions of interest.

With 3x3 basketball set to feature at the Tokyo Olympics next year, Southern Huskies coach Anthony Stewart said the condensed version of the sport was growing rapidly around the world.

“Not just Tassie, but Basketball Australia and internationally it is something they are really trying to push and grow as quickly as they can,” Stewart said. “As an ex-professional sportsman, three on three was what it was all about, it was how you improved your game. It is fun, short and sharp, good to watch.

“No one can underestimate the grassroots and to have 76 teams in Launceston, that’s a lot more and is pretty overwhelming compared to the rest of the country.”

Winning teams from each division will represent the state at the national finals in April.

Action starts at 10am today and ends at 6pm.