Canada Basketball – SASKATOON, SK (March 2, 2018) – The FIBA 3×3 World Tour will return to downtown Saskatoon this summer, once again in conjunction with Taste of Saskatchewan on July 21-22, 2018.

“The first edition of the Saskatoon Masters was a thrilling success,” said Alex Sanchez, FIBA 3×3 Managing Director.  “We were genuinely impressed by the quality of the organization and how much the entire city embraced the event from the devoted volunteers to the enthusiastic spectators.”

Entering the second year of a three-year agreement, Saskatoon will host North America’s only FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters event through 2019.

“The FIBA 3×3 World Tour really captured the heart of Saskatoon and provided a valuable platform to market the youth and vitality of our destination,” said Todd Brandt, President & CEO of Tourism Saskatoon.  “I am proud of the leadership provided by our Host Organizing Committee, chaired by Nicole Orr and Kara Lackie. FIBA has proven to be a strong partner, with an exceptional social media platform and proven capacity to grow this amazing sport as they build toward its first inclusion in the 2020 Olympics,” Brandt said.

The FIBA 3×3 World Tour Saskatoon Masters will once again kick off the World Tour season and be comprised of 12 teams of four players from around the world participating in a two-day tournament. In addition to the main event, a dunk contest and a shoot-out contest will take place in between games. Live music, cheerleaders, dance teams and other entertainment will be held throughout the weekend. An amateur 3×3 tournament is also being planned to take place on satellite courts alongside the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters.

“The host committee, along with Saskatoon Sports Tourism, are thrilled to be hosting the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Saskatoon for the second year,” said Kara Lackie and Nicole Orr, Co-Chairs of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour host committee.  “Building off the success of year one, we are excited to work with FIBA and Canada Basketball to continue to elevate the profile of 3×3 basketball in our community and our country.”

Much to the dismay of spectators, the two-time World Tour winners Ljubljana (SLO) won the first edition of the Saskatoon Masters after defeating hometown fan favourites Team Saskatoon (21-14) in the title game last year.

In the lead up to the Masters, eight regional events will take place across the country as part of Canada Basketball’s 3×3 Canada Quest series. The winners of the elite division in each of the eight regionals, along with an additional wild card team, will qualify for the 3×3 Canada Quest Finals. The top two finals teams will qualify directly to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters in Saskatoon.

Registration is now open for 3×3 Canada Quest events across Canada, tipping-off May 12 in Calgary, AB at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

DATE	LOCATION
May 12-13	Calgary, AB (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
May 18-20	Kelowna, BC (City Park)
June 2-3	Edmonton, AB (Saville Centre)
June 9-10	Montreal, QC (Complexe Desjardins)
June 16	Hamilton, ON (McMaster University)
June 22-24	Winnipeg, MB (Canada Games Sport for Life Centre)
June 23	Ottawa, ON (Landsdowne Park)
June 23	Richmond, BC (Richmond Olympic Oval)
July 6-8	Canada Quest Final – Edmonton, AB (West Edmonton Mall)
July 21-22	FIBA 3×3 World Tour – Saskatoon, SK

Returning for its fourth season, the 3×3 Canada Quest also offers a recreational division for males and females of all skill levels (age 18-45) in a fun and friendly environment.

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For more information, contact:

Julien Debove

3×3 Communications Manager

FIBA

Direct: +41798484597

Julien.debove@fiba.com

Matt Walker

Manager, Communications

Canada Basketball

(289) 244-9993

mwalker@basketball.ca

Heather Bury

Sport and Event Sales Executive

Saskatoon Sports Tourism

Direct: (306) 931-7583

hbury@tourismsaskatoon.com

 

About FIBA 3×3 Basketball

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. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court. The sport will make its first-ever Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

For further information about 3×3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3×3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube or contact 3×3@fiba.com.

About Canada Basketball 3×3 Quest 

The 2018 3×3 Canada Quest boasts seven regional events across the country, with the winners of the elite division qualifying for the finals in Edmonton, AB. The top two finals teams will qualify directly to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Saskatoon. For more information, visit http://www.basketball.ca/en/page/3×3-canada-quest-2018

About Saskatoon Sports Tourism

Saskatoon Sports Tourism was created to guide the attraction, retention and creation of sports tourism activities in Saskatoon. Saskatoon Sports Tourism assists event organizers to locate local suppliers, sports venues, and hotel accommodation, and helps increase local awareness and attendance at events. For more information, visit www.saskatoonsportstourism.co