The Canadian men’s and women’s 3x3 U18 National Teams fared well in preliminary pool play, but were edged out of contention in the knock-out round of the third annual FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships. The Canadian men finished in twelfth place, while the women reached ninth. The heat and humidity under the Indonesian sun served as the backdrop as 32 squads were in action on the men’s side while the women featured 24 teams in competition.

The 3x3 U18 Men’s National Team began the tournament with a tough 19-17 loss to Switzerland, but quickly rebounded for consecutive victories over Italy (12-4) and Russia (17-16). The next day, the team notched consecutive victories over Thailand (21-17) and Romania (21-14). The second day of play also saw the 3x3 U18 Women’s National Team begin its tournament. After opening with an 18-8 handling of Andorra, the team squeaked by Brazil by a score of 7-6 before wrapping-up with a 21-6 win over the host-nation. The two Canadian teams compiled a combined 5-0 record on the day.

The Canadian men started the final day of pool play with a close 13-10 setback to Puerto Rico before registering a 22-16 win over Slovakia to finish with a 5-2 record after the preliminary round. In the round-of-16, the men fell just shy of advancing with a 15-14 loss to Spain. The Red and White women continued their momentum from the first day to tally victories over Bulgaria (9-6) and the Ukraine (15-14). The Canadian women finished first in their pool, but faced a surging Czech Republic squad that had also come-off two straight wins. Canada played well in the knock-out round match, but were defeated 19-15 in a tight contest.

Michele O’Keefe, executive director of Canada Basketball, discussed the teams’ results and the expansion of 3x3. “We are proud of the performances of both of our 3x3 U18 national teams. Their efforts in training throughout the summer and their play in Jakarta have given these young men and women a wealth of important experience as they learn to compete on the international stage. The tough field of competition they faced is a testament to the growth of 3x3 and the game of basketball around the world.”

The competition showcased the talents of 56 teams from 38 countries with the medalists from each of the men’s and women’s sides earning berths to the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Various teams spanning the globe will earn tickets to next year’s premiere youth competition through qualifying events. In addition, teams recognized as being committed to the development and promotion of 3x3 will be selected to join the competition.

2013 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship for Men

<table width="555" cellspacing="0" border="0">    <colgroup> <col width="185">    <col width="90">      <col width="150">   <col width="140">   </colgroup>    <tbody>        <tr>            <td><span><span><span><b>Date</b></span></span></span></td>            <td><span><span><span><b>Time (ET)</b></span></span></span></td>            <td><span><span><span><b>Opponent</b></span></span></span></td>            <td><span><span><span><b>Result</b></span></span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Thursday, September 26</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>6:00 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Switzerland</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>L 19 – 17</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Thursday, September 26</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>7:40 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Italy</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 12 – 4</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Thursday, September 26</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>9:00 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Russia</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 17 – 16</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Friday, September 27</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>6:40 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Thailand</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 21 – 17</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Friday, September 27</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>9:00 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Romania</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 21 – 14</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Saturday, September 28</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>5:20 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Puerto Rico</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>L 13 – 10</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Saturday, September 28</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>8:00 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Slovakia</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 22 – 16</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Saturday, September 28</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>10:30 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Spain</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>L 15 – 14</span></span></td>        </tr>    </tbody></table>

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2013 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship for Women

<table width="555" cellspacing="0" border="0">    <colgroup> <col width="185">    <col width="90">      <col width="150">   <col width="140">   </colgroup>    <tbody>        <tr>            <td><span><span><span><b>Date</b></span></span></span></td>            <td><span><span><span><b>Time (ET)</b></span></span></span></td>            <td><span><span><span><b>Opponent</b></span></span></span></td>            <td><span><span><span><b>Result</b></span></span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Friday, September 27</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>5:20 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Andorra</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 18 – 8</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Friday, September 27</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>7:40 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Brazil</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 7 – 6</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Friday, September 27</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>10:40 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Indonesia</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 21 – 6</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Saturday, September 28</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>7:00 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Bulgaria</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 9 – 6</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Saturday, September 28</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>9:20 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Ukraine</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>W 15 – 14</span></span></td>        </tr>        <tr>            <td><span><span>Saturday, September 28</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>10:50 a.m.</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>Czech Republic</span></span></td>            <td><span><span>L 19 – 15</span></span></td>        </tr>    </tbody></table>

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