What is 3x3 basketball?
Julius Joseph laughed candidly before taking a deep breath. An icon of British basketball, Joseph is a pioneer of the 3x3 format and so it is a testament to his patience - a key trait needed to have success in the game - that he could provide such a measured and enticing answer ahead of 3x3’s debut at the Commonwealth Games, where he will try to coach Team England to glory.
“3x3 basketball is a new discipline of the sport which is faster paced and more exciting than regular basketball,” Joseph exclusively told Mirror Sport. “There’s a 12-second shot clock, so a lot more shots are taken per game which is great, and in basketball, you play until time runs out - but this game is over when you get to a certain score.
“It creates a level of intensity and excitement which five-on-five basketball doesn’t have.”
Joseph is the head coach of England as they look to reach the podium at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and he is proud of how much the 3x3 format has grown. He began developing the game as retirement neared and while there is plenty of on hype surrounding the game, Joseph believes there is plenty o potential waiting to be unlocked when it comes to the highest level.
“It’s a great honour to see it develop the way the game has,” Joseph added. “I’ve always seen the potential in 3x3 basketball as I started playing at a very early age and just ran these tournaments on a much smaller scale in the beginning. It’s nice to see it develop and grow - there’s so much potential in terms of the elite side of it, and now you could win a Commonwealth Games or Olympic medal.
“For the Commonwealth Games, it will be on mainstream TV which provides a huge challenge for 3x3 basketball - there’s a lot of pressure on the guys to succeed because it means so much to the basketball community. It’s already had a huge surge in popularity with the Red Bull Half Court tournaments we’ve been running, and these events create a buzz; people start to love and enjoy the game.
“It ticks all the boxes and is inclusive, too. The overall package is great and can provide opportunities at the grassroots level.”
In the United Kingdom, basketball is the second-most played team sport among school children but a lack of funding and career paths means prospective players with the passion to succeed often fizzle out. For Joseph, 3x3 basketball provides an excellent opportunity to enhance everyday skills by placing a key emphasis on teamwork and strategical thinking.
While he acknowledged a perimeter threat is needed in the form of a three-point shot - although it is worth just two points in 3x3 while a standard basket is worth one point - Joseph insists teamwork is the most important skill for a side to have success on the court. He believes this is the key difference between the format and standard basketball, where individual brilliance can and often does reign supreme.
“You can’t have greedy basketball players playing 3x3 - it just doesn’t work. It’s got to be about the greater good and being selfless,” Joseph said. “It’s a great teaching skill that should be implemented in school sessions, and I believe kids would benefit from 3x3 basketball in schools.
“If we’re talking about a five-on-five game on the international stage, players would look to attack the basket, look to beat their man and pass them to score. With 3x3, it's about the teamwork; the people without the ball are probably more important than the person in possession to create easy, open opportunities to score the ball. It’s a unique way to play the game, and players love it.
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“The game is so physical, players can’t just dribble and score - they have to outwit their opponent by using teammates in advantageous positions. It’s very strategical in terms of how to play the game and find success.”
After 3x3 basketball made its Olympics bow at the Tokyo 2020 Games last summer, Joseph understands Team England are under pressure to deliver. Maybe not due to their reputation around the sport, but because of how a successful Commonwealth Games appearance could inspire a generation of players - and ensure the format is here to stay.
A promising training camp saw England perform well and achieve strong results against countries like Spain, Denmark, Portugal and Romania, nations with a pedigree in basketball that possess experience at the highest level. Despite the quality on offer in the men’s bracket, including the likes of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Joseph is eyeing a medal for England to cement 3x3 basketball as a viable game amid the crowded British sporting landscape.
“If we are successful on the international stage and can be a team that men and women from all walks of life are inspired by, then it’s something that people can get behind and the resources will trickle down to help grow and develop the game,” the 46-year-old concluded. “We might be able to ensure the game is getting the recognition it deserves.
“With success, there’s scope for more resources, more tournaments, more engagement and more facilities - the list can go on and on; there’s just so much potential and opportunity for people to play and experience this game.”
To learn more about Red Bull Half Court and the 3 v 3 game, head to: https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/event-series/half-court
Find out more about how basketball can change lives and get involved at basketballengland.co.uk
