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MARCH 26, 2022
DOHA (Qatar) – Both New Zealand teams qualified to the Crelan FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2022 after winning the Asian Qualifier in Doha, Qatar on March 25-26.
In the men’s category, New Zealand defeated Iran in an absolutely thrilling final (21-20). After both teams had a chance to win the game, it was the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup 2015 MVP Tai Wynyard who drove to the basket for the game-winner, which sent the 3×3 Tall Blacks to Belgium. This marks New Zealand’s comeback to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup with the men’s team after missing the last edition in Amsterdam in 2019.
The speedy 24-year-old Nikau McCullough led all scorers in the men’s category with 37 points. He had 11 in the final only, including a clutch two to tie the game at 20.
New Zealand also went undefeated in the women’s competition but gave their fans a little more breathing room, with a 19-12 triumph in the final against Uzbekistan. The 23-year-old Tiarna Clarke shot the lights out for the 3×3 Tall Ferns in Doha. She led all players in scoring with 30 points, with a game-high 10 in the final.
FINAL STANDINGS
Men:
1. New Zealand
2. Iran
3. Qatar
4. Malaysia
5. Sri Lanka
6. Kazakhstan
Women:
1. New Zealand
2. Uzbekistan
3. Iran
4. Kazakhstan
5. Sri Lanka
6. Qatar
The seventh edition of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup will take place in Antwerp, Belgium on June 21-26.