Nuggets to field 3X3 team

The Otago Nuggets will take the court next year after all - for one weekend at least.

A team representing the newly regenerated franchise will play at a national basketball league 33 event.

The side will play alongside the seven NBL teams, fellow new team the Franklin Bulls and possibly another team at the two-night event on May 28 and 29 in Invercargill.

Both the Nuggets and Bulls have been granted provisional entry to the 2020 NBL.

However, both decided to delay a year and are targeting a 2021 entry date. The new event will give both teams a taste of the league before that.

It follows a push from Basketball New Zealand to get behind the three-a-side game, which is to feature at next year's Olympics.

"We're really excited about the whole concept of 33 adding another piece of silverware to the league,

especially with the game set to enter the Olympics literally weeks after we hold the inaugural 33 National Cup at ILT Stadium Southland," NBL general manager Justin Nelson said.

"It's such a different form of the game.

"It's fast and physical and makes for a lot of fun, either in person at the game or sitting back at home watching on television.

"We'll have a bit of fun with it and add some extra things."


 

Add a Comment