First-ever FIBA official competition at FIBA's Headquarters on FIBA 3x3 Women's Series' return

MIES (Switzerland) – The FIBA 3x3 Women's Series - the dedicated women's 3x3 professional circuit - is back, starting with a stop organized by Swiss Basketball in Mies on May 15-16. It will mark the first time a FIBA official competition (3x3 or basketball combined) is organized at FIBA's Headquarters, which have been renamed the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in 2018 in memory of the former FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee member.

''The Patrick Baumann House of Basketball has been host to several 3x3 events before but organizing a FIBA official competition at home in front of our headquarters, on the same day that Patrick is inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, will definitely have a special meaning to us,'' Zagklis added.

The FIBA Open - the largest 3x3 grassroots event in Switzerland - has been organized at FIBA's Headquarters since 2015 and will take place on June 19-20 in 2021.

''We are delighted to work with Swiss Basketball to bring the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series back after the great success of the 2019 edition'' FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said.

''One of FIBA’s three strategic pillars is the development of women in basketball and this competition will help the teams who are preparing everyday to get a chance to be the first women to play 3x3 at the Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 24-28, 2021.''

A total of 8 teams will play in Mies: Hungary, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain and Switzerland. For the first time, the players will compete for prize money.

Swiss Basketball rejoiced the opportunity to organize a FIBA 3x3 Women's Series event only two weeks before the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria on May 26-30.

''It is an honor for Swiss Basketball to be able to organize the first stop of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2021,'' Swiss Basketball President Giancarlo Sergi said. ''After a year like that, we are happy to be able to collaborate with FIBA again on an international event of this importance. It will be key for all the competing teams and especially for Switzerland considering it is the ultimate big test before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz.''

More FIBA 3x3 Women's Series events will be announced at a later stage.

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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 benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour and national-team FIBA 3x3 World & Continental Cups.

On 9 June 2017, 3x3 was added to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo Games.

Wilson is the Global Ball and Apparel Partner and Tissot the Official Timekeeper of FIBA 3x3.

FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, and the Magic Sky canopy system.

For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on FacebookInstagramSina WeiboTencentTikTokTwitterYouku , YouTube and Twitch or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.