FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024: Australia men qualify for main draw with victory over Kazakhstan

The Australian men’s basketball team made the cut for the main draw of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024 after beating Kazakhstan in their final qualifier in Singapore on Thursday.

Playing at the Singapore Sports Hub, Australia defeated Kazakhstan 18-7 in the Qualifying Draw C encounter to secure their berth in the Pool C main draw of the tournament alongside Japan and the Philippines.

The Australian men’s 3x3 basketball team finished on top of Qualifying Draw C having won all three of their fixtures. The Gangurrus had previously beaten Tahiti 21-5 and Kyrgyzstan 21-6 on Wednesday.

Joshua Samuel Davey finished as the highest scorer for the Gangurrus with nine points, including two two-pointers and three free throws. Todd Blanchfield scored the only other two-pointer in the game and finished with three points.

It was Kazakhstan who first got on the scoreboard from a free throw. However, Blanchfield brought Australia back into the game.

With the score at 5-5, Davey took control of the match and helped the Gangurrus win the 3x3 basketball match comfortably. Samsin Ramazan, with four points, top scored for Kazakhstan.

Australia, the most successful team at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup with three titles, will face both Japan and the Philippines for their Pool C match on March 30.

Meanwhile, the Australian women’s 3x3 basketball team will commence their campaign directly in Pool D of the main draw. They are set to face New Zealand and the team that advances from Qualifying Draw D.

The Gangurrus women, who have three titles to their name and are the defending champions, will also play on March 30.

Now in its seventh edition, the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup features a total of 23 men's and 20 women's teams. The qualifying draw will conclude on Thursday. The main draw will start on Friday while the knockouts, including the finals, are scheduled for Sunday.