8 Jun 2015
DEBRECEN (2015 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships) - Just four years after their success at the inaugural FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships, New Zealand's men regained their crown while France's women won for the first time in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday.
The 2.05m Tai Wynyard was just 13 years old and did not even make his school basketball team when the likes of Isaac Fotu and Tai Webster won the 2011 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships in Rimini, Italy. Just a few years later, those two were playing for New Zealand’s Tall Blacks at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Wynyard won MVP honours this past weekend and led his country to a thrilling win over reigning champions Argentina in the final (20-18). He was the top scorer in the title game with eight points and made his presence felt on defense, including a memorable block on Martin Ariel Fernandez. The Argentinian star also scored eight points in the decider, finished the event as top scorer and joined Wynyard on the Team of the Tournament.
The third player to get the accolade was high-rising Killian Tillie, who led France to the bronze medal following a win over Spain (16-13) with a little help from team-mate Bathiste Tchouaffe.
Les Bleues did even better in the women's tournament, as they upset the United States in the final (20-19). Since 2012, the USA had won all five 3x3 women's competitions (U18 and senior). France's speedy Lisa Berkani caught fire in the final, scoring 11 points and received the MVP award.
Two-time 3x3 gold-medallist Arike Ogunbowale scored nine points in the final, finished as the women's top scorer and was a member of the Team of the Tournament.
Hungarian crowd favourite Nina Aho also found a spot on the list after spearheading her team to bronze following a win over Israel (14-11).
The individual contests confirmed the French domination in Debrecen as Berkani won the Skills Contest and Tchouaffe the Shoot-Out Contest.
Michael Matuskova collected silver for the Czech Republic and Germany’s Luana Rodefeld claimed bronze in the Skills Contest.
In the Shoot-Out Contest, Tchouaffe narrowly beat Spanish contestant Lucia Alonso, who had to settle for silver and Italy’s Giulia Ciavarelli, who took bronze.
Last but not least, Filipino sensation Kobe Paras successfully defended the Dunk Contest title he won two years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia. Jalek Felton (USA) came just one point short of Paras and took silver. Agustin da Costa put Uruguay on the 3x3 map, collecting a bronze medal.
MEDAL COUNT
| Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Men's event | New Zealand | Argentina | France |
| Women's event | France | USA | Hungary |
| Dunk Contest | Kobe Paras (PHI) | Jalek Felton (USA) | Agustin da Costa (URU) |
| Skills Contest | Lisa Berkani (FRA) | Michael Matuskova (CZE) | Luana Rodefeld (GER) |
| Shoot-Out Contest | Bathiste Tchouaffe (FRA) | Lucia Alonso (ESP) | Giulia Ciavarella (ITA) |
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
MEN: Tai Wynyard (NZL)*; Martin Ariel Fernandez (ARG); Killian Tillie (FRA)
WOMEN: Lisa Berkani (FRA)*; Arike Ogunbowale (USA); Nina Aho (HUN)
* Denotes Tournament MVP
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ABOUT FIBA 3X3
Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefitted from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour (www.fiba.basketball/3x3worldtour) and national-team world championships.
Nike is FIBA 3x3's Founding Partner.
FIBA 3x3 events are played on Sport Court's floors with Schelde backstops and benefit from Wilson's innovative and specially-made ball for 3x3.
For further information about 3x3, visit fiba.com/3x3, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.com.
FIBA