Edmonton, Canada, set to host next stop of FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series

GB Women 3x3 will set up shop in Edmonton, Canada, this week for the next stage of their FIBA Women’s Series.

For the first time, GB sent a 3x3 team to a FIBA Women’s Series, the highest level of professional 3x3 basketball, in July. GB secured qualification to the Pool Stage of the competition, defeating Japanese side Takasaki and Madagascar in their opening fixtures.

However, having already played two gruelling qualification games, GB were overcome by an experienced and talented Latvia team, before being narrowly beaten by CS Rapid, Bucharest, and ultimately falling out of Pool D.

With their first taste of professional 3x3 basketball a positive one, GB will have learned a lot and will look to take strides going into the next leg of the Women’s Series.

Sam Ashby drives the ball at FIBA Women's Series Sumqayit Stop

GB have been drawn directly into Pool C for the Edmonton stop of the Women’s Series, as there is no qualification stage for the stop of the competition.

Here, they will face the Netherlands U25 at 11:25 pm (BST) on 1 August, and Puerto Rico at 3:05 am (BST) on 2 August, technically the same day in Canada. If they win both fixtures, they will qualify for the Quarter Finals of the Women’s Series on 2 August.

The squad available to Head Coach Krumesh Patel is:

Samantha Ashby - Oaklands Wolves

Hannah Jump - IDK Eukostren San Sebastián (Spain)

Nina Rickards - AEL Limassol B.C.

Cheridene Green - Unattached

Young stars Hannah Jump and Sam Ashby performed extremely well in Azerbaijan, including a nine-point outing for Ashby in GB’s final fixture against CS Rapid, where she dropped three two-pointers.

Green and Rickards will provide important experience and physicality to balance the squad.

Coach Patel will want to push GB to new heights after a successful start to life in pro 3x3.

Speaking to GB Basketball, Coach Patel said, "The players have grown and will continue to grow as we get more experience in the Women’s series.

"They are an extremely good group of people and are getting better each day within our aims of developing in 3x3.

"The Edmonton stop is a great opportunity to keep growing and play against some really good, experienced teams."