Kiah Stokes competed in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, the first major event to showcase 3x3 hoops internationally.
FIBA launched its 3x3 initiative with inaugural competitions in 2010, and the game and its reputation are quickly growing. Played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, four players to a team and no coach, 3x3 is fast-paced and challenging. The first major 3x3 international tournament was part of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. The Youth Olympic Games featured athletes age 17-and-under, and while the Games, organized by the International Olympic Committee, were based on an Olympic format – a multi-sport event with teams from around the globe living together in a village and competing in 26 different sports (up to 28 for 2014)– there were several differences. The major revision that stood out among basketball aficionados was the fact that FIBA and the IOC organized the basketball tournament in a 3x3 format. FIBA was already looking ahead to requesting the IOC add 3x3 as a basketball discipline in future Olympic Games, and it was an immediate hit. Played outside in a festive atmosphere, the basketball tournament quickly became a fan favorite. |
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