New Zealand’s U21 and U23 Men’s and Women’s 3×3 basketball teams have delivered a stunning performance at the FIBA Nations League, marking a golden chapter in our national 3×3 programme. With grit, skill, and relentless determination, our youth teams have climbed the global ranks to sit proudly at number two in the world, a feat that speaks volumes about the talent and tenacity of our athletes.
Both the Men’s U21 and U23 teams clinched first place overall in their respective competitions. The U23 Men have officially qualified for the U23 World Cup in September, setting the stage for another thrilling showdown. Across all stops of the Youth Nations League, our teams secured podium finishes at every event, winning 9 out of 24 stops—the most wins by any country!
Aidan Tonge, Campbell Scott and Josh Book are now ranked among the Top 10 Men’s Youth players in the world. Maia Jones, Dominique Stephens, Kate Herman, Anika Hyland and Maddy Timms have broken into the Top 20 Women’s Youth players globally.
U23 Men’s Captain Aidan Tonge reflects on his journey from casual weekend tournaments to the world stage:
“My first introduction to 3×3 basketball was through the Burger King 3×3 events, which I entered with my mates just for a bit of fun—something to do on a Saturday. At the time, we were all playing 5×5, so 3×3 was just another way to enjoy the game.
As I went through high school, I joined the Senior A teams that competed at nationals. Even then, it was still mostly for fun—another form of basketball that kept things fresh and exciting.
When I applied to the University of Canterbury and submitted my scholarship applications, I included all of my basketball experience, including the national 3×3 events. Piet Van Hasselt came across my application and took notice. After that, whenever a 3×3 opportunity came up or PVH(Piet Van Hasselt) asked if I was interested, I gave it a go.
That initial interest turned into real passion. I became more confident and developed into a stronger 3×3 player. Now that I’ve graduated, I’ve had the chance to represent New Zealand in the Men’s and U23 teams. I’ve also played for an EXE team that traveled to Japan, a Challenger team that competed in Taiwan, and I’m currently contracted with a club in Malaysia for the remainder of 2025.”
“I think the attraction to 3×3 is different for everyone. What some people love about it might not appeal to others. For me, it’s the balance between individuality and structure. You get to bring your personal style to the game, while still playing within a team system and strategy.
3×3 is growing rapidly in New Zealand. As a nation, we’re just beginning to tap into our potential. We’ve already achieved some incredible milestones, but there’s so much more ahead. I want to be part of that journey.
Competing at the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, and the World Cups is what drives me. I know New Zealand has what it takes, and I’m determined to be one of the players representing our country when that moment comes.”
U21 Women’s Captain Anika Hyland shares her perspective on the game’s unique demands and the team’s future:
“It’s been unique, I was given the opportunity to be in the programme last year and have kind of built off that as I prepare for the next chapter that announces itself. I started playing 3×3 in my senior years of high school and have grown a passion for the game.”
“It’s a fast paced game so making decisions quickly and adjusting quickly is necessary. It is intimate and I like the fact you can’t hide and how team cohesion is an intangible component to be successful. I love that the game requires players to have more responsibility, you can really see teams flourish from that.
We are on the way to becoming one of the higher competitive teams. The U21 team I travelled away with on the most recent tour, was a great opportunity to see where we stand against big nations. I really look forward to seeing the direction we take for our future, as I believe we can be great.”
In addition to the men’s success, both the U23 and U21 women’s teams finished second in their respective conferences, accumulating a significant number of points in the Nations League standings. The U21s are currently sitting on 490 points (out of 600 max possible), and now, New Zealand has a very real shot at qualifying for the U23 World Cup as a wildcard, being the best second-ranked team across all conferences.
This incredible run is a testament to the hard work of our athletes, the strategic brilliance of our U23/U21 3×3 coaches —Piet Van Hasselt, Kat Jones, and Olivia O’Niell —with the support of international consultant and European 3×3 legend Simoin Finzgar, and the unwavering support of our teams’ staff and High-Performance support of 3×3 Programmes Manager Nikolay Mikhalchuk. To see both our Youth Men’s and Women’s teams ranked second in the world is a monumental achievement, and a clear signal that New Zealand is a rising powerhouse in global 3×3 basketball.
We’re not just celebrating success; we’re building a legacy. And with eyes now set on the number one spot, the journey is far from over.
