The Australian women’s Gangurrus team of Anneli Maley, Lauren Mansfield, Marena Whittle and Ally Wilson enter the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 seeded 19^th out of the 20 nations competing in the tournament being held in Vienna, Austria this week. It is the eighth time that the FIBA 3×3 World Cup has been held. The Australian women’s team are competing in the tournament for the fifth time, their best result was winning a bronze medal at the inaugural FIBA 3×3 World Cup held in Athens, Greece in 2012.

Australia have a history of achieving better results at 3×3 tournaments than their seeding indicates. The quartet of Maley, Mansfield, Whittle and Wilson that are pulling on the green and gold and representing Australia in Vienna achieved success earlier this year at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 held in Singapore from 29 March to 2 April. Australia entered the tournament as the 10^th seeds and had to make it through the qualifying draw to progress to the main draw. In the main draw Australia won all five games by at least 10 points, defeating New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal.

Lauren Mansfield and Marena Whittle playing for Adelaide Lightning against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022  

The article below covers:

• The history of 3×3 basketball
• 3×3 basketball rules
• The FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 tournament in general
• The history of women’s basketball at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup
• Player profiles on the four members of the Australian women’s Gangurrus 3×3 team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023

A brief history of 3×3 basketball

The 3×3 basketball page of Olympics.com states “Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide, and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. FIBA has developed 3×3 as the second basketball discipline to attract a new audience and provide more opportunities for its member associations and players worldwide.”1

An official 3×3 event was held for the first time at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. Typically there are two events held at each 3×3 tournament, a men’s event and a women’s event, however some tournaments have also included a mixed event where each team is comprised of two men and two women. In 2011 a FIBA 3×3 Under 18 World Cup was held in Rimini, Italy. The first senior 3×3 World Cup was held in Athens in 2012. In addition to World Cup’s the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) also holds regional events including the Asia Cup and Europe Cup.

The FIBA 3×3 World Cup has been held seven times – 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022. Only one nation has won the women’s 3×3 World Cup multiple times, the United States of America – having won the first two editions of the event in 2012 and 2014. Australia have won one medal in the women’s 3×3 World Cup, a bronze medal in 2012. Serbia have dominated the men’s 3×3 World Cup to win the gold medal five times – 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022. The history of the women’s tournament of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup is covered in more detail later in this article.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games the newer 3×3 format of basketball was included on the program in addition to the traditional five on five format of basketball. The United States of America won the gold medal in women’s 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Olympics and Latvia won the men’s event.

3×3 basketball was played at the Commonwealth Games for the first time at Birmingham in 2022. Canada won the gold medal in the women’s tournament and England won gold in the men’s event. The Australian men won a silver medal and the Australian women won bronze.  

3×3 basketball rules

Most of the rules for 3×3 basketball and the traditional five on five format of the sport are the same however there are some important modifications for 3×3 basketball. In 3×3 each team has three players on the court and one substitute. A substitution can be made in a dead-ball situation. 3×3 is played in a basketball half-court. When the defensive team gains possession they need to take the basketball past the arc before attempting a shot. The playing time for each game is 10 minutes, the game concludes at the earlier of a team scoring 21 points or the 10 minutes expiring. If scores are tied at the end of the 10 minutes the first team to score two points in overtime wins the game. Each team is allowed one time-out and at many tournaments TV time-outs are also called. The shot clock is 12 seconds. A made free throw in both 3×3 and the traditional five on five format of the sport scores one point however a different scoring system is used for shots in general play. In 3×3 a field goal made inside the arc scores 1 point and a successful shot from behind the arc earns 2 points. When it is a jump ball the defensive team gains possession. Whilst fouls are called in 3×3 basketball referees are more lenient than in 5 on 5 basketball which results in 3×3 being a more physical format of the sport. Team foul 7 and above result in the opposing team having two free throws.

Venue, Pools and nations competing in Women’s 3×3 Basketball at the World Cup 2023

The venue for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 is the Rathausplatz, located in the town square of Vienna, Austria. At the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 being held from Tuesday 30 May to Sunday 4 June three events are being held, a men’s 3×3 tournament, a women’s 3×3 tournament and a men’s dunk contest.

The 20 nations competing in each 3×3 tournament have been split into four pools of five nations. From 30 May to 2 June each nation plays the other four nations in their pool. For the men’s and women’s tournaments nations in Pool C and Pool A will play two matches on Tuesday May 30 and two matches on Thursday June 1, local time in Vienna. For the women’s and men’s tournaments nations in Pool B and Pool D will play two matches on Wednesday May 31 and two matches on Friday June 2, local time in Vienna.

Dunk test qualification will be held on 2 June at 10.10 pm Vienna time and the dunk contest final will be held on 3 June at 9.10pm. 

At the end of the pool phase of the two 3×3 tournaments the nation that finishes first in each pool qualifies directly to the quarter finals and the nations that finish fourth and fifth in each pool are eliminated from the tournament. The nations that finish second in each pool will have a Play-In game on Saturday 3 June against a nation that finished third in another pool. The winners of the Play-In games progress to the quarter finals later that day and the team that loses in the Play-In is eliminated. The Play-In games for both the men’s and women’s tournaments are:

2^nd from Pool A vs 3^rd from Pool D

2^nd from Pool D vs 3^rd from Pool A

2^nd from Pool C vs 3^rd from Pool B

2^nd from Pool B vs 3^rd from Pool C

The Play-In games will all be held on the fifth day of competition, 3 June, with the winners of these games advancing to the quarter finals later that day where they will play a nation that finished first in a Pool.

On the sixth and final day of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 on Sunday 4 June each of the nations that won a quarter final the previous day will have two opportunities to guarantee themselves of leaving Vienna with a medal. The two semi final winners in each tournament will progress to the final whilst the nations that are defeated in a semi final will battle it out against each other in the third place game.

FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 games are being broadcast on the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.

Australian Gangurrus women’s 3×3 team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023

Player                                           Number               Position

Ally Wilson                                       4                           Guard

Lauren Mansfield                            5                           Guard

Marena Whittle                             21                           Guard/forward

Anneli Maley                                  24                           Forward

Coach – Damon Lowery

The Australian Gangurrus women’s team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 comprised of guards Ally Wilson and Lauren Mansfield along with guard/forward Marena Whittle and forward Anneli Maley have all represented Australia at several 3×3 tournaments and have each won at least two medals. The current Australian 3×3 quartet have been regulars in their national 3×3 team over 2022 and 2023.   

Maley and Wilson have been teammates playing for Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons and have both signed with Bendigo for the 2023/24 season. During the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season Mansfield and Whittle were teammates at Adelaide Lightning.

Maley was the first member of the Australian Gangurrus women’s team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 to represent her nation in 3×3. As a teenager Maley was a member of the Australian team that won the gold medal at the 2015 FIBA 3×3 Oceania Championships held on the Gold Coast on 12 and 13 September.

Damon Lowery was the coach of the Australian women’s 3×3 team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier 2019 held in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 4 and 5 May. Whittle made her Australian 3×3 debut at the same tournament playing alongside Bec Cole, Alice Kunek and Keely Froling. Australia won all four games at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier 2019 to qualify for the 3×3 World Cup 2019.

From 2019 onwards Lowery has been the coach of the Australian women’s 3×3 team. At the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 held in Amsterdam the Australian team of Bec Cole, Alice Kunek, Maddie Garrick and Keely Froling fell just short of winning a medal, losing a semi final to China 14-15 and then were defeated 9-21 by France in the play off for third place. Australia’s fourth placed finish was the Australian women’s teams second best result at a 3×3 World Cup behind the bronze medal winning performance at the inaugural edition of the tournament held in Athens in August 2012.

At the start of 2022 Mansfield and Wilson were yet to make their debut for the Australian 3×3 team but had been members of the national 3×3 squad and had attended training camps along with Maley, Whittle, forward/centre Lauren Scherf and regulars in the team including Cole, Kunek, Garrick and Keely Froling.

For the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022 held in Singapore from 6 to 10 July Australia named a new look team of Maley, Mansfield, Scherf and Whittle. The three medal winners from the 2018 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup – New Zealand (gold medal), China (silver medal) and Australia (bronze medal) all faced difficult draws at the 2022 tournament as they were the three nations all drawn in Pool C. Australia split their Pool games, winning their opening game against New Zealand 21-11 and were defeated by China 20-12. Australia won their quarter final against Mongolia 21-10 and had a 21-13 victory over Indonesia in the semi finals. The two nations from Pool C that progressed to the knockout stage – China and Australia played each other in the final. With the gold medal on the line it was a closer encounter than their Pool game but China prevailed against Australia for the second time at the tournament, recording a 14-10 victory to win the gold medal with Australia winning silver and finishing in the medals for the fourth consecutive FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup. Maley was named in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022 Team of the Tournament.

Weeks later the Australian Gangurrus women’s team competed in the 3×3 tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham from 29 July to 2 August. Due to Australian Opals commitments Maley was unavailable for the Commonwealth Games and Ally Wilson was brought into the team to make her Australian 3×3 debut. 3×3 Asia Cup 2022 Gangurrus women’s team members Mansfield, Scherf and Whittle all suited up in the green and gold again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Australia won their three pool games at the 2022 Commonwealth Games to advance to the semi finals. In a semi final Australia were defeated by England 15-21. Australia trailed New Zealand 6-10 In the bronze medal game. Australia went on a 9-3 run to fight back and have a 15-13 victory to win the bronze medal.

Ally Wilson playing defense for Bendigo Spirit against Southside Flyers guard Bec Cole at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2023

Singapore was again the host city for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 held from 29 March to 2 April. The quartet that are playing for the Australian Gangurrus women’s team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 of Maley, Whittle, Mansfield and Wilson dominated at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 to win the gold medal in convincing fashion. Australia won three qualifying draw games and five main draw games by at least 10 points each and defeated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal. Maley and Whittle were both named in the Team of the Tournament for the Asia Cup 2023, Maley ranked first overall with 7.6 rebounds per game. Whittle was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP), ranked first overall with 8.6 points per game and sixth with 6.6 rebounds per game. The Australian women’s team have won five medals at 3×3 FIBA Asia Cups comprised of three gold medals (2017, 2019 and 2023) along with one silver medal in 2022 and one bronze medal in 2018.

On the weekend of Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May Australia had not one but two Gangurrus women’s teams competing in international tournaments. On this weekend a FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier was held in Eilat, Israel and the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop took place in China. Four players that had been members of Australia’s 3×3 squad and had attended training camps were able to gain valuable experience representing their nation. Due to WNBA commitments with Chicago Sky Maley was unavailable for either tournament.

Heading into a massive first weekend of May with two Gangurrus women’s teams in action Australian 3×3 women’s coach Damon Lowery told Basketball Australia “The clear goal is to finish top three and make the World Cup. We’re going to consolidate and strengthen our 3×3 strategies and values. The Gangurrus welcome in Miela Goodchild, Chloe Bibby, Amy Atwell and Emma Clarke for their first international 3×3 tournament in the green and gold.”2 

At the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier 2023 held in Eilat, Israel on 6 and 7 May the Australian team was comprised of Whittle, Wilson, Keely Froling and Miela Goodchild. Australia were challenged in their second Pool A game but were able to prevail 18-16 against Czech Republic. Australia had convincing victories against Madagascar 21-9 and Israel 21-11 in their first and third Pool A games respectively. With Australia leading Israel 20-11 Whittle made a free throw to secure victory which enabled the Australian Gangurrus women’s team to finish first at the tournament and qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023. Australia were led by 10 points from Whittle and nine points from Wilson in the victory against Israel.

At the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop on 6 and 7 May Mansfield’s experience playing for Australia at 3×3 level was invaluable alongside Australian 3×3 debutants – Amy Atwell, Chloe Bibby and Emma Clarke. In Australis’s third and final Pool A game Japan made a free-throw to tie the scores at 20 points apiece with one minute and 23 seconds remaining. Six seconds later Mansfield displayed composure to make a one point shot to secure victory for the Gangurrus and finished with a game-high 10 points. Australia defeated Sc. Yuanada 21-16 in a semi final led by 10 points from Mansfield. Host nation China defeated Australia 21-13 in the final, resulting in Australia finishing second at the Wuhan stop. Mansfield ranked second overall at the tournament with 7.6 points per game.

Earlier in May Australia named a five player squad comprised of Clarke, Maley, Mansfield, Whittle and Wilson for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 to be held in Vienna, Austria from May 30 to June 4. Maley became available after being waived by Chicago Sky on the eve of the 2023 WNBA regular season commencing. Maley told Basketball Australia “I can’t wait to be with my 3×3 family at the World Cup. Sometimes, as one door closes, another one opens and for me, to be able to represent my country with the Gangurrus means more than anything I can put into words.”3

Australian women’s 3×3 coach Lowery told Basketball Australia “Anytime we get the opportunity to represent Australia, we’re fired up. I couldn’t be happier with the way the team have been playing, with spirit, enthusiasm, and tremendous unselfishness. It’s going to be incredibly difficult over there and that’s just how we like it, we look forward to battling it out with the best in the world.”4

Last week Australia competed in a 3×3 Internationals exhibition event in Austria from Thursday May 25 to Saturday 27 May. The Gangurrus team was Mansfield, Whittle and Wilson along with Emma Clarke who was an Australian teammate of Mansfield’s at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop on the first weekend of May. Australia won each of their three Pool D games by at least seven points to advance to the semi finals. Australia defeated Canada 21-20 in a thrilling semi final and then had a 17-12 victory against Spain in the final to finish first at the 3×3 Internationals exhibition event. The Gangurrus have made one change to the team at the 3×3 Internationals exhibition event for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023, replacing Clarke with Maley. 

More details on the four members of the Australian women’s 3×3 team for the 3×3 World Cup 2023 are provided in the Player Profiles section at the bottom of this article, with details provided on the basketball careers of the Australian quartet in the traditional five on five format of the sport as well as the newer 3×3 format. 

Pool and schedule for the Australian women’s Gangurrus team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023

The Australian women’s team Pool and schedule at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 is:

Pool B

The Australian women’s Gangurrus team are in Pool B at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 and are seeded 19^th out of the 20 nations competing. Australia are joined in Pool B by Germany (seeded 2^nd), Japan (6^th), Poland (10^th) and Egypt (15^th).

Germany (2^nd seed)

Japan (6^th)

Poland (10^th)

Egypt (15^th)

Australia (19^th)

The Australian women’s team Pool schedule at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 is:

Wednesday May 31 

Japan vs Australia             6.15pm Vienna time,      2.15am Thursday 1 June AEST

Australia v Poland            8.50pm Vienna time,      4.50am Thursday 1 June AEST

Friday June 2

Egypt vs Australia             6.40pm Vienna time,      2.40am Saturday 3 June AEST

Australia v Germany       8.40pm Vienna time,      4.40am Saturday 3 June AEST

Whilst the seedings for most nations provide a good indication of how they are expected to perform, Australia are the exceptions rather than the rule. Australia compete in less 3×3 tournaments than most of the other nations in the field, however when Australia enter an event they generally perform well and finish much higher in the standing at the end of the tournament then the seeding they entered the tournament with.

A prime example of the Australian women’s Gangurrus team performing above their tournament seeding was at the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup 2023 held in Singapore in March. 10 nations qualified directly to the main draw of the Asia Cup and another nine nations competed in a qualifying draw to determine which two nations completed the 12 nation main draw. Australia and New Zealand both progressed to the main draw after winning their way through from the qualifying draw in dominant fashion.

Two nations that are in Pool B at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 competed in the main draw at the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup 2023, Japan as the 2^nd seed and Australia as the 10^th seed. Japan won their two Pool B games to finish first in the pool. In a quarter final Japan lost to Thailand 16-17 and finished fifth at the tournament. In the main draw Australia won all five games by at least 10 points, defeating New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal.

Two players from Japan’s 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup 2023 team will be representing their nation at the 3×3 World Cup 2023 – Yua Emura and Nana Santa. Tamami Nakada was a member of the Japanese team that finished fourth at the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup 2022 and is representing Japan at the World Cup in Vienna. Japan’s team at 2023 World Cup is completed by Shizuka Takada who represented Japan at 3×3 level for the first time last week in the 3×3 Internationals exhibition event held in Austria.  

At the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop in early May 2023 Australia played Germany in their opening Pool A game and the two nations have been drawn in the same pool again at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023. Three members of Germany’s team from Wuhan are representing their nation again in Vienna – Svenja Brunckhorst, Sonja Greinacher and Luana Rodefeld, this trio were all members of Germany’s FIBA 3×3 2022 World Cup team. Lauren Mansfield was the only member of the Australia team from Wuhan that is competing at the World Cup and played a pivotal role in Australia defeating Germany 21-16, making four of four three-pointers and scoring a team-high nine points. Forward Greinacher was the standout for Germany, scoring a game-high 10 points.

Germany are competing in a FIBA 3×3 World Cup for the sixth time in 2023 and have two 10 finishes – eighth in 2014 and ninth in 2022. The new addition to second seeded Germany’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup for 2023 is Marie Reichart, replacing Leonie Fiebich from the 2022 WC team. Two members of Germany’s women’s 3×3 team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 are in the top 10 on FIBA’s 3×3 women’s rankings – forward Greinacher (3^rd) and guard Rodefeld (10th).

At the 3×3 FIBA World Cup 2023 Australia play second seeds Germany in their final Pool B game on Friday 2 June 8.40pm Vienna time, 4.40am Saturday 3 June AEST. This match-up could determine which team finishes top of Pool B and goes directly to the quarter finals.

The other three pools for the women’s tournament at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 are:

Pool A

France (1^st seed)

Netherlands (8^th)

Spain (9^th)

Austria (17^th)

Brazil (20^th)

Pool C

USA (3^rd)

Canada (7^th)

Mongolia (11^th)

Hungary (13^th)

Czech Republic (16^th)

Pool D

China (4th)

Lithuania (5^th)

Romania (12^th)

Italy (14^th)

Israel (18^th)

France are competing in their eighth FIBA 3×3 World Cup and have finished in the top 10 at all seven previous tournaments including six placings in the top five. The only time France have finished outside the top five was when they were the host nation and finished 10^th in Nantes in 2017. France are the reigning FIBA 3×3 World Cup champions and are the number one seeds in 2023. The 2022 WC gold medal winning quartet of Myriam Djekoundade, Laetitia Guapo, Hortese Limouzin and Marie-Eve Paget are all members of the French team that are attempting to become the second nation in history to win back-to-back FIBA 3×3 World Cups. USA won consecutive gold medals at the first two editions of the tournament in 2012 and 2014 but had a completely different team at both tournaments. If France do win gold in 2023 their quartet will become the first individuals to win back-to-back gold medals in women’s FIBA 3×3 World Cups. France finished second overall at the FIBA 3×3 women’s series 2022 and finished on the podium at the first four Stops they competed in during the series.

Spain are one of only two nations along with France that have finished in the top 10 at the women’s tournament of the first seven FIBA 3×3 World Cups. Ninth seeds Spain are in Pool A at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 along with number one seeds France. Spain finished fifth at the 2019 and 2022 World Cups and are chasing an elusive first FIBA 3×3 World Cup medal. Three members of Spain’s 2022 WC team are representing their nation in Vienna – Marta Canella, Vega Gimeno and Sandra Ygueravide who is ranked ninth in FIBA’s 3×3 women’s rankings. The new addition to Spain’s WC team is Cecilia Muhate.      

USA are the third seeds in Vienna and are in Pool C alongside North American rivals Canada. USA are the only nation to have won a FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Cup multiple times, having won gold at the first two editions of the tournament in 2012 and 2014. USA won bronze in 2014 but have not featured on the podium again. FIBA 3×3 World Championships 2014 gold medal winner Cierra Burdick is representing USA at a FIBA 3×3 World Cup for the third time in 2023, having also been a member of the USA team that finished seventh in 2022. 21 year old guard Hayley Van Lith is representing USA at a FIBA 3×3 World Cup for the second time, having been teammates with Burdick on the USA team that finished seventh in 2022. The USA team in Vienna is completed by Cameron Lee Brink and Linnae Harper. Two members of USA’s 2023 WC team are in the top 25 on FIBA’s 3×3 women’s ranking – Harper (19^th) and Burdick (25^th).

Canada made a significant impact at their first FIBA 3×3 women’s World Cup in 2022, making it all the way to the final where they were defeated 13-16 by France. Canada’s team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 are all ranked in the top 10 on FIBA’s 3×3 women’s rankings. Canada’s silver medal winning quartet from 2022 of Kacie Bosch (ranked 6^th in the world), Paige Crozon (2^nd) and twin sisters Katherine Plouffe (4^th) and Michelle Plouffe (1^st) are all representing seventh seeds Canada in Vienna. Canada finished first in the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2022, finishing in the top four in all five Stop’s they competed in including finishing first at three Stops.  

Although the Czech Republic are only the 16^th seeds in Vienna they have a track record of finishing in the top 10 at FIBA 3×3 World Cups. Czech Republic finished in the top 10 at the first six editions of the women’s tournament at FIBA 3×3 World Cups including winning the gold medal in 2016. Czech Republic’s team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 is comprised of four players that are under 24 years of age – Katerina Galickova, Alzbeta Levinska, Anna Rylichova and Karolina Sotolova.  

China are the fourth seeds in Vienna and have made it to the medal games at the past three FIBA 3×3 World Cups, having finished fourth in 2018, won gold in 2019 and won bronze in 2022. ZhiTing Zhang is the only member of China’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 gold medal winning team that is representing China at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019. Zhang is playing in a FIBA 3×3 World Cup for the fourth time this week and each time China have made it to the medal games. Zhang is joined in China’s team for the 2023 WC by Ji Yuan Wan, Lili Wang and Yi Zhang.

At their first FIBA 3×3 World Cup in 2022 Lithuania made it to the medal rounds where they lost to France 14-16 in a semi final and were outplayed by China in the third place game, being defeated 11-21. Two members of Lithuania’s 2022 team – Kamile Nacickaite and Gabriele Sulske are representing their nation in Vienna, they are joined in the team by Giedre Labuckiene and Gabija Meskoynte. One of the matches of the Pool phase at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 will be the Pool D game between fifth seeds Lithuania and fourth seeds China in in a rematch of the 2022 bronze medal game.  

Women’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup history

The FIBA 3×3 World Cup is being held for the eighth time in 2023, having first been held in Athens, Greece from 23 to 26 August 2012 when it was known as the FIBA 3×3 World Championships 2012. The 24 nations competing were split into four groups of six. The USA team comprised of Skylar Diggins-Smith, Bria Hartley, Chiney Ogwumike and Ann Strother won all nine games they played at the tournament including two thrillers in the medal games to win the gold medal. Number 2 seeds USA defeated Australia 19-18 in the semi final and made it back-to-back one point victories by defeating France 17-16 in the final to win the gold medal.

The Australian team at the FIBA 3×3 World Championships 2012 was Sara Blicavs, Katie Ebzery, Alice Kunek and Tess Madgen. Australia belied their status as the 23 seeds to win all five Pool A games to top their pool and advance to the last 16. In the knockout stage Australia excelled to defeat Germany 21-4 in the last 16 and the Czech Republic 16-11 in a quarter final. After being defeated in a semi final by USA 18-19 Australia won a thrilling bronze medal game against the Ukraine 18-17 to finish on the podium at the 2012 FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Championships.

The FIBA 3×3 World Championships 2014 had 24 nations competing in the women’s tournament held in Moscow, Russia from 5-8 June. After winning the bronze medal at the 2012 edition of the tournament the Australian women’s team were unable to qualify for the 2014 tournament. In Moscow the seventh seeded USA team of Cierra Burdick, Sara Hammon, Jewell Loyd and Tiffany Mitchell were able to replicate their feat from 2012 and went undefeated for nine games to again win the gold medal. USA defeated Belgium 18-14 in a semi final and had a 15-8 victory against Russia in the final to again finish on the top step of the podium and claimed their second consecutive gold medal. In the third place game Belgium defeated Czech Republic 14-12 to win the bronze medal.

Tiffany Mitchell playing for Melbourne Boomers against Townsville Fire at the State Basketball Centre on 7 December 2022

At the FIBA 3×3 World Championships 2016 held in Guangzhou, China from October 11-15 Australia’s team of Kelly Bowen, Isabella Brancatisano, Maddi Rocci and two-time Olympian Jenni Screen were the 17^th seed. Australia lost to Argentina 18-16 in their second Pool B game but won their other three games including a 12-11 victory against Hungary in their fourth and final Pool B game. Hungary defeated Argentina 14-11 in their Pool B game. At the end of the Pool phase Argentina, Hungary and Australia all had three wins and one loss. Hungary scored 67 points in the Pool games to top the pool whilst Australia and Argentina were tied on 62 points apiece. Argentina won their head to head game against Australia and won the tie-breaker to advance to the quarter finals, Australia were eliminated and finished 11^th at the World Championships.

After USA had gone through undefeated at the 2012 and 2014 FIBA 3×3 World Championships in 2012 and 2014 the 2016 edition of the tournament was far closer with all women’s teams bar one suffering multiple defeats. The fifth seeded Czech Republic team of Sara Krumpholcova, Katerina Novotna, Michaela Uhrova and Tereza Vorlova had victories in six of their seven games at the FIBA 3×3 World Championships 2016 and won the gold medal. After a narrow 21-18 victory against USA in the semi finals Czech Republic defeated Ukraine 20-11 to win the gold medal in convincing fashion. In the third place game USA defeated Spain 20-14 to win the bronze medal and finish on the podium at the first three editions of the tournament.

The Australian team of Bec Cole, Carley Ernst, Nadeen Payne and Amelia Todhunter were seeded 20^th out of 20 nations competing at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Cup 2017, held in Nantes, France from 17-21 June. In their first game Australia lost to Ukraine 21-12. Australia won two games in a row, defeating China 21-7 and Japan 18-8. In their final Group C game Australia lost to Netherlands 14-16 in overtime. With a record of two wins and two losses Australia finished third in Pool C behind the Netherlands (4 wins) and Ukraine (3 wins). A nation in each of the four pools finished with a record of two wins and two losses. Among these four nations Australia’s 65 points for was the highest, resulting in a ninth place finish overall.

The Russian team of Anna Leshkovtseva, Anastasiia Logunova, Tatiana Petrushina and Alexandra Stolyar entered the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2017 as the number eight seeds and defeated number one seeds Hungary 12-10 in a Pool B game. The two nations met again in the final and Russia were even more convincing, having a 19-12 victory to win the gold medal. Russia went through the tournament undefeated, winning all seven games. Ukraine defeated Netherlands 15-13 in the third place game to win the bronze medal.

After being the lowest seed in 2017 Australia were unable to qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2018 held in Philippines from June 8-12. Italy’s team of Giulia Ciavarella, Raelin D’Alie, Marcella Filippi and Giulia Rulli became the second number eight seeds in succession to win the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, winning the gold medal in 2018. Italy won six of their seven games, with their only loss being by a solitary point to Czech Republic 20-21 in their fourth and final Pool A game. Italy defeated China 15-13 in a semi final and had a 16-12 victory against Russia in the final to win the World Cup. Italian guard D’Alie led the tournament overall with 52 points scored and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. D’Alie is the only member of Italy’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2018 gold medal winning team that is in the Italian team at the 2023 edition of the tournament. 

At the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 held in Amsterdam from 18-23 June, 25 nations participated in the women’s event and the Australian team comprised of Bec Cole, Keely Froling, Maddie Garrick and Alice Kunek were the 18th seed. Australia won four of their first five games, with the exception being a one point loss to France – 16-17 in their fourth and final Pool B game. In the knock-out stage Australia had a 19-13 victory against China in a quarter final. Australia lost a nail-biter against China 14-15 in a semi-final and then played off for third place against France. Australia were comprehensively defeated by France 9-21 and finished the tournament in fourth place.

China’s team of Jiayin Jiang, Yingyun Li, Di Wu and ZhiTing Zhang entered the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 as the number one seeds and lived up to their top billing by going undefeated, winning all seven games to win the gold medal. Following their 15-14 semi final victory against Australia China defeated Hungary 19-13 in the final.

Australia after falling just short of a medal in 2019 did not qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2022 held in Antwerp, Belgium from 21-26 June. Two members of France’s 2019 bronze medal winning team – Laetitia Guapo and Marie-Eve Paget were members of their nations 2^nd seeded team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2022. The 2022 French team was completed by Myriam Djekoundade and Hortese Limouzin. After winning their first three Pool B games in 2022 France were defeated in their fourth and final Pool game by USA 18-20 but learnt from the narrow defeat. France convincingly defeated Mongoloia 21-9 in a last 16 game. France lived dangerously for the rest of the tournament but prevailed in their next two games, having a 15-14 semi final victory in a quarter final followed by a 17-16 win against China in a semi final. France defeated Canada 16-13 in the final and won the gold medal after winning seven of their eight matches at the tournament. Guapo was named the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2022 MVP and is currently ranked fifth on FIBA’s 3×3 women’s rankings.

USA are the only nation that has won the women’s 3×3 World Cup multiple times, having won the first two editions of the tournament in 2012 and 2014. France lead the way with four podium finishes comprised one gold, two silvers and one bronze medal. USA and Russia rank equal second for medals won with three each. USA have two gold and one bronze whilst Russia have one gold medal and two silver medals. After seven 3×3 World Cups Australia is one of 11 nations that have won a medal, winning bronze at the inaugural World Cup in 2012. Six nations have won a gold medal, with USA, France and Russia being joined in this category by China, Czech Republic and Italy.   

Australia are competing in a FIBA 3×3 World Cup for the fifth time in 2023, having finished third in 2012, 11^th in 2016, ninth in 2017 and fourth in 2019. 14 players have represented the Australian women’s team at a FIBA 3×3 World Cup comprised of 12 players playing at one World Cup and two players – Alice Kunek and Bec Cole suiting up in the green and gold at two World Cups. Kunek was a member of both Australian teams that made it to the medal games.

Australian Gangurrus men’s 3×3 team for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023

The members of the 17^th seeded Australian men’s team at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup are Daniel Johnson, Mitch McCarron, Andrew Steel and Lucas Walker. The Australian men’s team is competing at a FIBA 3×3 World Cup for the second time, having made their debut appearance in 2019.

The only member of Australia’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 team that is pulling on the green and gold in Vienna is Andrew Steel. Other members of the 19^th seeded Australian team that won two of their four Pool D games and finished 10^t at the 2019 WC were Tim Coenraad, Greg Hire and Tom Wright. McCarron represented Australia in 3×3 for the first time last week in the 3×3 Internationals event in Austria where the Gangurrus men’s team finished fifth.

Steel and Johnson were both members of the Australian teams that won gold at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022 and silver at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023. Daniel Johnson was also a member of the silver medal winning 2023 team. The Australian’s men’s team competed in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for the first time in 2017 and have won a medal all five times they have competed in the tournament. The Australian men’s team won three consecutive gold medals at the in FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in 2018, 2019 and 2022. The Australian men’s team won the bronze medal in 2017 and the silver medal in 2023.

The Australian Gangurrus men’s teams pool and schedule at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023

The Australian men’s team are in Pool B at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023.

Pool B

United States (2^nd seed)

Latvia (7^th)

Austria (9^th)

Slovenia (15^th)

Australia (17^th)

Wednesday May 31 

United States vs Australia             7.20pm Vienna time,      3.20m Thursday 1 June AEST

Austria v Australia                            9.40pm Vienna time,      5.40am Thursday 1 June AEST

Friday June 2

Australia vs Slovenia                       5.10pm Vienna time,      1.10am Saturday 3 June AEST

Australia v Latvia                              7.45pm Vienna time,      3.45am Saturday 3 June AEST

Player profiles of the Australian women’s Gangurrus team at FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023

Anneli Maley

#24                                                    Position: Forward                  

Date of birth 1 September 1998       Height 186cm                         

Junior Club                                         Eltham Wildcats (Victoria)                          

WNBL debut: 2016/17                       WNBL games played: 87       

2022/23 WNBL Team: Bendigo Spirit

2023/24 WNBL Team:    Bendigo Spirit

Anneli Maley played her junior basketball with the Eltham Wildcats and has also represented Eltham at senior level in the NBL1 South conference from 2021 to 2023. At under-age level Maley represented Australia at several tournaments including Under 17 and Under 19 World Championships. Maley was a member of the Australian Gems team that won a bronze medal at the 2015 Under 19 FIBA World Championships held in Chekhov, Russia. Maley is an exceptional rebounder and at the 2017 FIBA Under 19 World Cup held in Italy led the sixth placed Gems for rebounds and ranked fourth overall at the tournament in this category.

Maley joined WNBL club Adelaide Lightning in December 2016, two months after the 2016/17 season started and made her debut in the league at 18 years of age. The following month in an Adelaide Lightning victory on the road against the Dandenong Rangers on 8 January 2017 Maley fell just short of recording a double-double, scoring 16 points and taking a team-high nine rebounds. Maley played 12 WNBL games for Adelaide Lightning in 2016/17 and averaged 3.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Playing off the bench for Adelaide Maley finished in the top five of the WNBL’s 2016/17 Rookie of the Year Award.

Anneli Maley playing for Adelaide Lightning against Dandenong Rangers at Dandenong Stadium on 8 January 2017

In the United States of America Maley played one season of college basketball for the Oregon Ducks in 2017/18, playing 37 games off the bench. Against Southern Utah on 9 December 2017 Maley scored an equal season-high nine points, made two of three three-pointers, took a season-high eight rebounds and made two assists in 15 minutes court-time. After the 2017/18 college season Maley transferred from Oregon to Texas Christian University (TCU). Maley played 10 games for TCU including three as a starter in 2018/19 before returning to Australia during the Christmas break.  

During the 2019/20 WNBL season Maley played for the Southside Flyers. In a Southside 81-62 victory against Townsville Fire at Dandenong Stadium on 13 December Maley started on the bench and recorded a double-double comprised of 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in just 16 minutes and eight seconds court-time. Maley played 25 games for the Southside Flyers off the bench in 2019/20, averaging 2.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 10.0 minutes per game.

Anneli Maley playing for Southside Flyers against Bendigo Spirit at Traralgon Stadium on 26 October 2019

During the 2020 WNBL hub season Maley flourished in a starting role with the Sydney Uni Flames. In each of Sydney’s last 11 games of the season Maley took at least eight rebounds and took more than 13 rebounds in a game six times. In Sydney’s 73-67 victory against Perth on 23 November Maley took 20 rebounds to set the season-high by a player in a single-game during the 2020 WNBL season. Maley was a revelation during the 2020 season for Sydney to average 7.9 points per game, a league-leading 12.1 rebounds, and 29.6 minutes court-time per game whilst also impressing with her defense. At 186 centimetres tall Maley consistently battles for rebounds against bigger bodies, however with the ability to read the flight of the ball superbly, together with great body positioning and timing Maley averaged 8.4 defensive rebounds and 3.7 offensive rebounds per game in 2020 to lead the WNBL in both categories. Highlighting how dominant Maley’s rebounding was her 12.1 rebounds per game during the 2020 regular season was 31.5% more than the second ranked player in the league – Australian Opals teammate Cayla George with 9.2 rebounds per game.

Anneli is from a basketball family, her dad Paul Maley played 270 NBL games from 1990 to 2001, was part of North Melbourne’s 1994 Championship winning team and during his first two NBL seasons in 1990 and 1991 averaged a double-double for the entire season. After his playing career ended Paul has held several sports related roles and has worked at Basketball Australia from April 2015, he has held an Executive General Manager role since March 2019. Paul’s current title at Basketball Australia is Executive GM, Major Events, Government & Stakeholder Relations.

On 4 May 2021 Bendigo Spirit announced that Anneli had signed with the club for two seasons. In early May 2021 Maley told the Bendigo Advertiser “The next step for me is being more of a threat offensively. In the NBL1 I’m able to put my offensive game in play, and I think I’m capable of doing that at the next level, but the key for me is doing it more consistently. Putting more scoreboard pressure on the opposition and being confident to take shots is what I’m working on. It would be cool to be known as not just a rebounder. I want to be an offensive threat as well.”5

In Bendigo Spirit’s fourth game of the 2021/22 season on 22 December Maley put on a shooting exhibition against the University of Canberra Capitals to score a career-high 38 points, made 14 of 20 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 70% and was even more effective from long-range, making five of six three-pointers at an astronomical accuracy of 83.3% to surpass her previous career-high of four three’s made in a season in a single incredible game. Against the Capitals in Round 4 at the National Convention Centre Maley took a game-high 20 rebounds comprised of nine offensive and 11 defensive. For her incredible Round 4 game against the Capitals Maley was named the WNBL’s Player of the Week. Maley’s 38 points against the Capitals was the most scored by a player in a WNBL game during the 2021/22 season.

Playing as a forward for Bendigo Spirit during the 2021/22 WNBL season Maley well and truly developed into an offensive threat, averaging a league-leading 19.8 points per game – a phenomenal 250% improvement on her previous season’s output. Maley averaged 15.7 rebounds per game in 2021/22 to again lead the WNBL in this category and also led the league for free-throws made and minutes played. Throughout the 2021/22 season Maley was remarkably consistent, scoring at least 13 points in 15 of her 16 games for Bendigo and fell a solitary point short of recording a double-double in every game. Maley was recognised for her incredible season, winning the 2021/22 Suzy Batkovic Medal for being the WNBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was also named in the All-WNBL first team.

To celebrate Maley winning the WNBL’s 2021/22 Suzy Batkovic medal for being the league’s Most Valuable Player an article comprehensively covering Maley’s incredible career was published on 5 May 2022. A link to this article is below:

The evolution of Anneli Maley from exceptional rebounder to Suzy Batkovic medal winner

As a teenager Maley was a member of the Australian team that won the gold medal at the 2015 FIBA 3×3 Oceania Championships held on the Gold Coast. From 2019 onwards Maley has competed in several NBL 3×3 Pro Hustle events and has had success playing on teams with her partner and fellow Australian Gangurrus team member Marena Whittle, including winning two Pro Hustle events as teammates.

During an interview on the 20 April 2021 NBL1 Show episode co-host Peter Hooley asked Maley “You do a lot of 3×3 stuff, part of the National squad for Australia in 3×3. What is the carry-over from a 3×3 game, training and preparation for that and then you go and play in a normal NBL1 game, anything that carries over or do you treat them both completely different?” Maley responded “I think that since I have started 3×3 my five on five game has excelled. I think that it really gives you the tools to be able to work on those one on one break-down stuff. It like levelled up my offensive game like nothing else, I think that when you are training for 3×3 obviously there is like no fouls it is very physical and fast-paced and you can’t hide your weaknesses. It is a fast-paced game so when you get it you have to be able to shoot, you have to be able drive, you have to be able to pass. In the 3×3 trainings and the games that we play against each other and stuff, I think that it has equipped me with the skills to carry over to five on five. The more 3×3 I do the more comfortable I feel with my one on one game in a five on five situation as well as the fitness that you get from a 3×3 game and the ability to finish through physicality, there’s just so many benefits that I carry over from one to the other.”

At the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022 held in Singapore in July Maley and Whittle were members of the Australian team along with Lauren Mansfield and Lauren Scherf. Australia had three wins and two losses at the tournament to win the silver medal. Australia’s two losses were both against China, in a Pool C game and a 10-14 loss in the final. Maley was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Singapore was again the host city for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 held from 29 March to 2 April. The quartet that are playing for the Australian Gangurrus team at the FIBA 3×3 World  Cup 2023 of Maley, Whittle, Mansfield and Wilson dominated at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 to win the gold medal in convincing fashion. Australia won three qualifying draw games and five main draw games by at least 10 points each and defeated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal. Maley and Whittle were both named in the Team of the Tournament for the Asia Cup 2023 and Maley ranked first overall with 7.6 rebounds per game.

In May 2022 Maley attended WNBA team Chicago Sky’s training camp. After being waived by Chicago Maley was signed as a hardship exception player due to several of Chicago’s players being injured or overseas due to other playing commitments. Maley played four regular season games for Chicago, averaging 2.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 11.0 minutes per game, before being waived when the players on Chicago’s roster returned.

On 31 May 2022 Maley made her debut with Australia’s senior women’s basketball team, the Opals in game three of the friendly series against Japan. Despite not being part of the Opals training camp due to her WNBA commitments with Chicago Sky and missing the first two games of the series Maley fitted in seamlessly. Immediately after being substituted in for her Opals debut at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre Maley took an offensive rebound off a missed free-throw and scored a field goal. Maley finished the game with 11 points and seven rebounds.

During the 2021 NBL1 South season Maley averaged 17.3 points and a league-leading 23.4 rebounds per game for her home club the Eltham Wildcats. After her stint playing in the WNBA with Chicago Sky and making her Opals debut against Japan in late May Maley joined the Eltham Wildcats during the 2022 NBL1 South season. Maley played eight games for Eltham and averaged 21.5 points, 19.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Maley led the NBL1 South Conference for rebounds per game, ranked third in assists and ninth in scoring.

At the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup held in Sydney from 22 September to 1 October  Maley made her major championship debut for the Opals. Against Mali in Australia’s second group game Maley made a three-pointer, took three rebounds and made one assist. Maley was a member of the bronze medal winning Opals team and played in five of Australia’s eight games for the tournament. 

In their road game against Townsville on 2 December 2022 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre Bendigo trailed 60-63 with four minutes and 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter. For the remainder of the quarter Maley made a lay-up and a three pointer to play an influential role in Bendigo going on an 8-3 run and winning 68-66. Maley took a game-high 16 rebounds – eight more than the second ranked player for the game. Two days later in a Bendigo home game against Sydney at Red Energy Arena Maley made 11 of 19 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 57.9% scored a game-high 26 points and took 11 rebounds in the Spirit’s 77-60 victory. Maley was named the WNBL’s Round 4 Player of the Round. 

Anneli Maley playing for Bendigo Spirit in a pre-season game against Southside Flyers at Dandenong Stadium on 22 October 2022

Against Adelaide Lightning on 28 December at Adelaide 36ers Arena Maley played all 40 minutes scored a team-high 19 points and was a monster on the boards, taking a game-high 24 rebounds comprised of nine offensive and 15 defensive in Bendigo’s 78-66 victory and was named the WNBL’s Round 8 Player of the Round. 

Maley played all 21 games for Bendigo during the 2022/23 regular season and averaged 16.2 points (ranked 9^th in the WNBL), 11.0 rebounds (ranked 2nd), 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals (ranked equal 10^th), 3.5 free-throws made (ranked 4th) and 34.2 minutes (ranked 4th) per game.

Anneli Maley playing for Bendigo Spirit against the Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2023

On 17 February 2023 WNBA club Chicago Sky announced that Maley had signed a 2023 training camp contract with the club. Maley played two games for Chicago during the 2023 pre-season before being the last player waived by Chicago before the regular season started. 

Maley has played three games for the Eltham Wildcats during the 2023 NBL1 South season and is averaging 21.0 points 18.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.0 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game to lead Eltham in all five categories. 

WNBL Achievements:          Suzy Batkovic medal winner 2021/22

                                               All-WNBL first-team 2021/22

                                              WNBL leading rebounder Award 2020, 2021/22

                                               WNBL leading scorer Award 2021/22

3×3 Achievements for Australia: Gold medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

                                                                                Gold medal 2015 FIBA 3×3 Oceania Championships

                                                                                Silver medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022

                                                                Team of the Tournament FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022, 2023

Lauren Mansfield

#5 Position: Guard                     

DOB 18 December 1989                Height 170cm                         

Junior Club                                       North Adelaide Rockets (South Australia)                          

WNBL debut: 2012/13                   WNBL games played: 176     

2022/23 WNBL Team: Adelaide Lightning

2023/24 WNBL Team:     Adelaide Lightning

Lauren Mansfield grew up in South Australia, played her junior basketball with the North Adelaide Rockets and went on to play her first two WNBL seasons with her home state club, the Adelaide Lightning in 2012/13 and 2013/14. Mansfield is half-way through a two year deal with Adelaide Lightning and is playing for North Adelaide Rockets in the 2023 NBL1 Central season.

Mansfield played two seasons of college basketball in the United States of America for Midland Community College in 2008/09 and 2009/10. In 2010/11 and 2011/12 Mansfield played college basketball for Iowa State University. Playing as a point guard Mansfield made 61 starts in 64 games for Iowa. In 2012 Mansfield captained the Iowa State Cyclones and was named in the Academic All-Big 12 Second team. During her two seasons at Iowa Mansfield had at least five assists in a game 26 times.

At World University Games Mansfield was a member of two medal winning teams for Australia, winning bronze medals in 2009 and 2013. In 2016 Mansfield was named in the Australian Opals extended 27 player squad.

At the 2017 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in the traditional five on five format held in India Mansfield played all six games for the silver medal winning Opals and was Australia’s equal leader for assists along with Katie Ebzery, ranked second for minutes played behind Ebzery and ranked equal third for steals and sixth for rebounds. After being named in the Australian Opals 12 player team for the 2018 FIBA World Cup in Spain Mansfield was a late withdrawal due to a foot injury.

Lauren Mansfield playing for UC Capitals against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 17 December 2016

At expansion club SEQ Stars first and only WNBL season in 2015/16 Mansfield had a break-out season as the Stars starting point guard to average 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game – ranked second in the WNBL behind Kelly Wilson. Due to an ankle injury Mansfield missed the final two rounds of the 2015/16 regular season as well as the finals.

Mansfield has played a total of 176 WNBL games in eight seasons comprised of 69 games for Adelaide Lightning, 21 games for SEQ Stars, 24 games for the UC Capitals, 42 games for Perth Lynx and 20 games for the Sydney Uni Flames. Mansfield was Sydney’s co-captain for both her seasons with the club however a calf injury ended her 2021/22 season after seven games.

In four WNBL seasons Mansfield has averaged at least 13.0 points and 4.4 assists per game – 2015/16 with the SEQ Stars, 2016/17 with the University of Canberra Capitals and in the 2020 and 2021/22 WNBL seasons with the Sydney Uni Flames.

After attending several training camps as part of the Australian 3×3 squad Mansfield made her debut for Australia’s national 3×3 women’s team at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup held in Singapore from 6 to 10 July. The Australian team comprised of Mansfield, Anneli Maley, Lauren Scherf and Marena Whittle had three wins and two losses at the tournament to win the silver medal. Australia’s two losses were both against China, in a Pool C game and in the final.

Weeks after the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Mansfield represented Australia in the women’s 3×3 tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham from 29 July to 2 August. The Australian team comprised of Mansfield, Scherf, Whittle and Ally Wilson won their three pool games to advance to the semi finals. In a semi final Australia were defeated by England 15-21. In the bronze medal game Australia trailed New Zealand 6-10. Australia went on a 9-3 run to fight back and have a 15-13 victory to win the bronze medal.

In 2021 and 2022 Mansfield played for the Gold Coast Rollers in the NBL1 North conference. During 2022 Mansfield played 11 games for the Gold Coast Rollers and averaged 19.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

A decade after commencing her WNBL career with Adelaide Lightning in 2012/13 Mansfield returned to her home state club for a second stint, signing a two-year deal with Adelaide for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. During the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season Mansfield returned to her home state of South Australia and was teammates at Adelaide Lightning with Australian 3×3 teammate Whittle. In a Round 3 Adelaide home game at Adelaide 36ers Arena on 19 November Mansfield put on a shooting exhibition against Sydney Flames to score a game-high 23 points at an incredible 88.9% from the field, took three rebounds and made an equal team-high four assists in Adelaide’s 87-67 victory. Amazingly Mansfield made all seven three-point attempts for the game which earnt her the WNBL’s Round 3 Player of the Round.

Lauren Mansfield playing for Adelaide Lightning against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022

Mansfield played all 21 games for Adelaide in 2022/23 and averaged 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists (ranked sixth in the WNBL) per game. Mansfield’s 2.3 three-pointers per game ranked equal sixth in the league. 

Mansfield is playing for the North Adelaide Rockets during the 2023 NBL1 Central season and was named the Conference’s Round 3 Player of the Week for her 24 point, nine rebound and eight assist performance for the Rockets in a 80-65 victory against Central Districts on 25 March. Mansfield has played eight games during the 2023 NBL1 Central season for North Adelaide and is averaging 18.0 points (ranked 8^th in the conference), 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game (5^th).

Singapore was again the host city for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 held from 29 March to 2 April. The quartet that are playing for the Australian Gangurrus team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 of Maley, Whittle, Mansfield and Wilson dominated at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 to win the gold medal in convincing fashion. Australia won three qualifying draw games and five main draw games by at least 10 points each and defeated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal.

Guard, Mansfield was a member of the Australian Gangurrus that competed in the FIBA 3X3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop in early May 2023 along with Amy Atwell, Chloe Bibby and Emma Clarke. In Australia’s 21-16 victory in their opening Pool A game against Germany Mansfield made four of four two-pointers and scored a team-high nine points.

In Australis’s third and final Pool A game against Japan Mansfield made a free-throw to tie the scores at 20 points apiece with one minute and 23 seconds remaining. Six seconds later Mansfield made a one point shot to secure victory for the Gangurrus and finished with a game-high 10 points. Australia defeated Sc. Yuanada 21-16 in a semi final led by 10 points from Mansfield. Host nation China defeated Australia 21-13 in the final, resulting in Australia finishing second at the Wuhan stop.  

3×3 Achievements for Australia: Gold medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

                                                           Silver medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022

                                                           Bronze medal 3×3 Commonwealth Games 2022

                                                           Finished second FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop 2023

Marena Whittle      

#21  Position: Guard/Forward       

 DOB  28 January 1994                   Height 180cm                         

Junior Club                                       Nunawading (Victoria)                          

WNBL debut: 2018/19                   WNBL games played: 95     

2022/23 WNBL Team: Adelaide Lightning

Whittle is a free agent for the 2023/24 Cygnett WNBL season.

Marena Whittle commenced her junior career with the Nunawading Spectres in metropolitan Melbourne and later on represented the Spectres at State League level, earning SEABL (now NBL1 South) All-Star five selection with Nunawading in both 2017 and 2018.

In a four-season college career with North Dakota State University from 2012/13 to 2015/16 Whittle averaged 11.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocked shots per game. Whittle led the Summit League with 10.3 rebounds per game in her senior season in 2015/16 and was named in the All-Summit League First Team.

For the 2017/18 WNBL season Whittle was on Townsville Fire’s roster but due to injury was unable to play a game during Townsville’s championship winning season. On 13 October 2018 Whittle made her WNBL debut for the Bendigo Spirit against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre and excelled, scoring a team-high 21 points.

From April 2018 onwards Whittle has been very successful on the 3×3 circuit, in a 13 month period from April 2018 to April 2019 Marena represented Spectres i-Athletic in six tournaments with the team winning four tournaments including the first two NBL Pro Hustle Events, and finished on the podium in the other two events. During May 2019 Whittle represented Australia in 3×3 basketball in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier 2019 tournament which Australia won, and since then has won several 3×3 tournaments on the Australian domestic circuit. Whittle has had success at several 3×3 tournaments playing on the same team as her partner and fellow Australian representative Anneli Maley including having won two Pro Hustle events as teammates.

At the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup held in Singapore from 6 to 10 July Whittle was a member of the Australian team along with Mansfield, Maley, and Scherf. Australia had three wins and two losses at the tournament to win the silver medal. Australia’s two losses were both against China, in a Pool C game and in the final.

Less than a month later Whittle, Mansfield, Scherf, and Ally Wilson represented Australia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham from 29 July to 2 August. Australia won their three pool games to advance to the semi finals where they were defeated by England 15-21. In the bronze medal game Australia trailed New Zealand 6-10. Australia went on a 9-3 run to fight back and have a 15-13 victory to win the bronze medal.

In late March 2019 Whittle told 3x3hustle.com “I love 3×3 because there’s so much freedom on the court and everyone matters, and gets the chance to play with the basketball and to have an impact in one way or another. I find in 5×5 that you can kind of get by just being a role player but in 3×3 there’s nowhere to hide out there. I love it because on every play and in every game you need to make an impact. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with that but I also have so much fun with it because there’s so much freedom and that’s how I like to play. The girls that are successful in 3×3 probably play quite similarly to that. I found that not only was 3×3 a lot of fun but it just adds a different dynamic to the game of basketball and I really enjoyed it.”6

Marena Whittle shooting a free-throw for the Bendigo Spirit against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 13 October 2018

After not playing a game in 2017/18 due to injury Whittle has played 95 consecutive WNBL games, having represented Bendigo Spirit in 2018/19, Perth Lynx in 2019/20 and Adelaide Lightning from 2020 to 2022/23. In her first three WNBL seasons Whittle averaged at least 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Whittle ranked second at Adelaide in 2020 for rebounding (5.3 rpg) and steals (1.2 spg), fifth for scoring and minutes played and led the Lightning with 1.9 offensive rebounds per game. Predominantly playing off the bench for Adelaide Lightning in 2021/22 Whittle ranked fourth for her club in rebounding (4.0 rpg) and third for steals averaging 16.7 minutes per game.

Whittle played her second consecutive NBL1 South season with the Ringwood Hawks in 2022. Ringwood had 18 wins and four losses during the 2022 regular season to finish second, two wins behind the Bendigo Braves. In the NBL1 South Grand Final at the State Basketball Centre on 3 September 2022 Ringwood defeated Bendigo 89-73 to win the South Conference women’s championship. In the Grand Final victory Whittle played the full 40 minutes for Ringwood, scored a game-high 33 points, made 13 of 22 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 59.1%, made both three-point attempts and five of six free-throws at an accuracy of 83.3%. Whittle took a game-high 19 rebounds comprised of eight offensive and 11 defensive, made four assists and an equal team-high two steals. In the Grand Final win Whittle registered an outright season-high in scoring, an equal season-high for rebounds and won the Grand Final Most Valuable Player Award.     

Marena Whittle shooting a jump shot for Ringwood Hawks against Bendigo Braves in the 2022 NBL1 South Grand Final on 3 September 2022 at the State Basketball Centre

Including finals Whittle played 21 games for the Ringwood Hawks during the 2022 NBL1 South season, averaging 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game. In 19 of 21 games Whittle scored at least 17 points and she registered 12 double-doubles for the season including all three finals. Whittle ranked second in the NBL1 South Conference for steals and in the top 12 for points and rebounds. Whittle was selected in the 2022 NBL1 South women’s All-Star 5, to earn Victorian State League All-Star 5 honours for the third time in her career, having been selected in the SEABL All-Star 5 in 2017 and 2018 whilst playing for the Nunawading Spectres.  

Marena Whittle playing for Ringwood Hawks against Launceston Tornadoes in the preliminary final at The Rings on 28 August 2022

Whittle played her third consecutive season with Adelaide Lightning in 2022/23 and was teammates with fellow Australian 3×3 team member Lauren Mansfield. Whittle played all 21 games for Adelaide during the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season including 11 games as a starter. Whittle flourished in a starting role late in the season and in each of Adelaide’s last four games of the season scored at least 16 points including three games with more than 21 points. Whittle registered four double-doubles for the season including a 27 point, 14 rebound performance to set game-highs in both categories against the UC Capitals on 18 February at the National Convention Centre.  In Adelaide’s 78-72 victory against the Capitals Whittle made 10 of 15 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 66.7% and made three of six three-pointers at 50%.

Marena Whittle playing for Adelaide Lightning against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022

During the 2022/23 WNBL season Whittle averaged 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game to set new career-highs in all three categories. Averaging 25.8 minutes per game Whittle ranked 15^th in the league for rebounds per game. 

The FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 was held in Singapore from 29 March to 2 April. The quartet that are playing for the Australian Gangurrus team at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 of Maley, Whittle, Mansfield and Wilson dominated at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 to win the gold medal in convincing fashion. Australia won three qualifying draw games and five main draw games by at least 10 points each and defeated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal. Whittle was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was selected in the team of the Tournament alongside Maley. At the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 Whittle ranked first overall with 8.6 points per game and sixth with 6.6 rebounds per game.

Whittle was a member of the Australian Gangurrus team along with Wilson, Keely Froling and Miela Goodchild at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier held in Eilia, Israel on May 6 and 7. Australia won all three games to finish first and qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023. Whittle scored a game-high 10 points in Australia’s 21-9 victory against host nation Israel in the Gangurrus third and final game of the tournament.

In the 2023 NBL1 South season Whittle is playing her third consecutive season with the Ringwood Hawks. In a road game against Keilor Thunder on 21 May Whittle scored a game-high 37 points shooting at 64% from the field, took a team-high 17 rebounds and made a team-high four assists in Ringwood’s 79-65 victory. Whittle has played eight games for Ringwood in 2023 and is averaging 23.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

3×3 Achievements for Australia: Gold medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

                                                                                Silver medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022

                                                                                Bronze medal 3×3 Commonwealth Games 2022

                                                                                Most Valuable Player (MVP) FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

                                                                                Team of the Tournament FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

Ally Wilson

#4                                                      Position: Guard                      

DOB 21 March 1994                       Height 175cm                         

Junior Club                                       Eastern Mavericks (South Australia)                          

WNBL debut: 2010/11                     WNBL games played: 204     

2022/23 WNBL Team: Bendigo Spirit

2023/24 WNBL Team: Bendigo Spirit

Ally Wilson is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman and one of over 10 players with Indigenous and First Nations heritage that played in the league during the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season. In an article published by The Pick and Roll on 14 February 2023 for the WNBL’s Indigenous Round held in Round 14 Wilson told Tristan Prentice“Indigenous round is very special to me as it gives an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture and be proud of that. At the same time – it is also an opportunity to highlight and bring awareness to the issues that Indigenous people face and provide education around the history of our people.”7 

Ally Wilson was born in Murray Bridge, South Australia and started playing basketball at four years of age. Wilson played her junior basketball with the Eastern Mavericks and was a teammate of 2020 WNBL Most Valuable Player Steph Talbot in the under 16’s and beyond. The Eastern Mavericks girls under 16’s team were runners up at the 2009 National Championships. At the 2013 Australian Under 20 Championships Wilson was part of South Australia’s silver medal winning team and had an exceptional tournament to win the Bob Staunton Medal as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

At 16 years of age Wilson made her WNBL debut with Adelaide Lightning in 2010/11 and played three games for the season. From 2011 to 2013 Wilson was an AIS Scholarship holder, another scholarship holder in 2011 and 2012 was 2022/23 Bendigo Spirit teammate Abbey Wehrung. At the 2013 FIBA Under 19 World Championships held in Lithuania from 18 – 28 July Wilson was a member of the bronze medal winning Jayco Australian Gems team. Wilson averaged 13.0 points per game, (ranked third for the Gems), 7.0 rebounds (second), 3.0 assists (third) and 24.4 minutes (fourth). At the 2017 World University Games held in Taipei in August Wilson and 2022/23 Bendigo Spirit teammates Megan McKay and Wehrung were members of the Emerging Opals team that won the gold medal, defeating Japan 85-78 in the final.   

Playing for the Townsville Fire in 2013/14 Wilson won the WNBL’s Rookie of the Year Award, averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Wilson was a member of Townsville’s WNBL Championship winning team in 2014/15.

From 2015/16 to 2019/20 Wilson played five consecutive WNBL seasons with the Sydney Uni Flames, winning a WNBL Championship with the Flames in 2016/17. In 2016/17 Wilson averaged 11.5 points per game and made 53 of 152 three-pointers at an accuracy of 34.9%. Wilson made 1.9 three-pointers per game – ranked ninth in the WNBL.

Ally Wilson playing for the Sydney Uni Flames against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 26 November 2017

In 2017/18 Wilson made more than 50 three-pointers for the second season in a row, made 52 of 151 three-pointers at an accuracy of 34.4%. Wilson averaged a then career-high 12.1 points per game and her 2.3 made three-pointers per game ranked equal third in the WNBL.

In Sydney’s 10^th game of the 2018/19 season Wilson suffered on a season ending knee injury. Wilson averaged 12.6 points per game and ranked fourth in the WNBL with 2.2 three-pointers made per game. Wilson set a new career-high with 3.9 assists per game – ranked eighth in the WNBL.   

Ally Wilson playing for the Sydney Uni Flames against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 30 November 2019

At state league level Wilson has excelled, playing for the Launceston Tornadoes Wilson was named in the All-SEABL team in both 2016 and 2018. Playing for the Eastern Mavericks in the Adelaide Premier League in 2017 Wilson averaged 26.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, won the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award and was named in the All-Star Five. After being out for five months with her knee injury Wilson made her return in Victoria in April 2019 with Diamond Valley Eagles during the 2019 NBL1 (now NBL1 South) season.

During the 2019/20 regular season playing for the Sydney Uni Flames Wilson made 34 three-pointers, ranked equal 8^th in the WNBL. In the 2020 Hub season playing for Adelaide Lightning Wilson averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 assists (equal fifth in the WNBL) and 2.0 three-pointers made (equal fifth in the WNBL).

Wilson joined Bendigo Spirit after the 2021/22 WNBL season commenced and was teammates with fellow Australian 3×3 team member Anneli Maley. Playing 12 games for Bendigo in 2021/22 Wilson averaged 8.8 points and 2.6 assists per game.

Ally Wilson playing for Bendigo Spirit against the Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 6 March 2022

Wilson had been on the fringe of Australian selection, having been named in Australian Opals squads including for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup and in addition to attending Opals training camps had also been part of Australia’s 3×3 squad. In July 2022 Wilson was able to represent Australia in 3×3 basketball at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham. The Australian 3×3 team comprised of Wilson, Perth centre Lauren Scherf and Adelaide Lightning duo Marena Whittle and Lauren Mansfield won the bronze medal.

In August 2022 Wilson commented to The Pick and Roll on becoming a member of the Australian 3×3 squad, saying “Honestly, I was invited into the 3×3 Australian Squad at the beginning of last year by the coaches who had watched me play WNBL and thought my style of game suited 3×3. I went to my first camp not really knowing what to expect! The first camp was challenging because it really is such a different style of game from 5×5. The more I have played 3×3, I have fallen in love with it more and more.”8

On the style of play in 3×3 and how it has helped her in the traditional five on five format of basketball Wilson told The Pick and Roll “3×3 is super tough and they don’t really call fouls! So, it has made me tougher in that sense with finishing under contact and being more physical defensively. The style of play is super quick with only having 12 seconds to shoot the ball, so it has helped with getting my shot off quicker under pressure and making quick decisions.”9

Ally Wilson driving to the basket playing for Bendigo Spirit against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2023

In a 7Sport television segment recorded at the Commonwealth Games Wilson commented “I am a proud Ngarrindjeri woman from South Australia. We have the aboriginal flag obviously and then the blue flag is the flag of my mob. Really special for me to have that out with the girls and I said to them after the game that I appreciate their love and support and holding it up, it means a lot to me and my people, yeah it means everything.”

Later in the 7Sport segment Wilson commented “Yeah, love being in the village in this environment and getting to meet people from so many different places. My path hasn’t always been easy, been told no a lot so it is all about that perseverance and resilience. Obviously getting to play with these girls is the highlight. Never give up, I know that is so cliché but that’s sort of been a big part of my story.”

Wilson played her second consecutive season with the Norwood Flames in the NBL1 Central Conference in 2022. Wilson played 15 games for Norwood and averaged 19.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Wilson led the NBL1 Central conference for assists per game, ranked second for steals and ninth in scoring. With her superb 2022 season Wilson earnt selection in the 2022 NBL 1 Central All-Star Five.

During the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL season Wilson played her second consecutive WNBL season with Bendigo Spirit. In Bendigo’s first game of Round 11 against the UC Capitals at Red Energy Arena on 19 January Wilson scored 18 points shooting at 46.7% from the field, took five rebounds, made five assists and had an equal team-high two steals in the Spirit’s 86-74 victory. In Bendigo’s road game against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 22 January Wilson scored 10 points, took five rebounds and made seven assists. Wilson was recognised for her excellent performances with selection in the WNBL’s Round 11 Team of the Week. In a seven game stretch from 6 to 25 January Wilson averaged 5.6 assists per game and had at least five assists in a game six times.

Ally Wilson playing for Bendigo Spirit against the Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 22 January 2023

Wilson played her 200^th WNBL game on 5 February in Bendigo’s road game against Melbourne at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville and achieved another milestone in the game by recording the 500^th assist of her career. Below is a link to an article published on Milestones and Misses celebrating Wilson achieving these two milestones:

Proud Ngarrindjeri woman Ally Wilson’s path to reach 200 WNBL games and 500 career assists

Wilson played all 21 games for Bendigo in 2022/23 and averaged 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 30.3 minutes court-time per game. Wilson ranked equal 14^th in the league with 1.6 three-pointers made per game and ranked 13^th for assists per game.

In her third consecutive NBL1 Central season with Norwood Flames Wilson filled up the stat sheet in a home against North Adelaide on 25 April with a game-high 48 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, an equal game-high three assists and three steals. Wilson made a game-high seven three pointers from 14 attempts at 50% and had a field goal accuracy of 60%. Wilson has played six games for Norwood during the 2023 NBL1 Central season and is averaging 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Wilson leads the conference for assists per game, ranks third for steals, fourth for rebounds and sixth for points.

Singapore was again the host city for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 held from 29 March to 2 April. The quartet that are playing for the Australian Gangurrus team at the FIBA 3×3 World  Cup 2023 of Maley, Whittle, Mansfield and Wilson dominated at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023 to win the gold medal in convincing fashion. Australia won three qualifying draw games and five main draw games by at least 10 points each and defeated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand 21-11 in the final to win the gold medal.

Wilson was a member of the Australian Gangurrus team along with Whittle, Keely Froling and Miela Goodchild at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier held in Eilia, Israel on May 6 and 7. Australia won all three games to finish first and qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023. In Australia’s opening game of the tournament Wilson scored a game-high eight points in a 21-9 victory against Madagascar.

WNBL Achievements:    Betty Watson Rookie of the Year 2013/14

WNBL Championship 2014/15 (with Townsville Fire), 2016/17 (with Sydney Uni Flames)

3×3 Achievements for Australia: Gold medal FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

                                                                 Bronze medal 3×3 Commonwealth Games 2022

Article and photographs by Dean Andrews

Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777

References

1 https://olympics.com/en/sports/3×3-basketball/

2 https://australia.basketball/3×3-womens-gangurrus-teams-prepare-for-jam-packed-weekend/

3 https://australia.basketball/world-cup-calling-for-3×3-gangarrus/

4 https://australia.basketball/world-cup-calling-for-3×3-gangarrus/

5 https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/7236886/wnbl-rebounding-machine-anneli-maley-signs-with-bendigo-spirit/

6 https://www.3x3hustle.com/news/whittle-thrives-on-pressure-to-perform-in-3×3/

7 https://pickandroll.com.au/p/awareness-and-opportunities-cubillo

8 https://pickandroll.com.au/p/games-flames-and-spirit-its-been

9 https://pickandroll.com.au/p/games-flames-and-spirit-its-been