3BL Season 3 is being hosted between 8^th to 21^st March 2022 in Chandigarh.

• 3BL earned exclusive recognition from the Basketball Federation of India, making it India’s only authorized professional basketball league. 
• 3BL also has recognition from the International Federation (FIBA).
• Apart from prize money, top placed teams get all-expenses paid trip to compete in the FIBA 3×3 World Tours and Challengers.
• All players gain valuable FIBA 3×3 ranking points thereby elevating India’s overall 3×3 ranking and helping Indian 3×3 National Teams qualify to the Olympics.

• Top Indian players are participating in 3BL Season 3.
• International Women’s 3×3 specialists to be seen in action for the first time in the women’s league.
• All the games are being live streamed on Sony LIV as well as the 3BL Youtube Channel.

Chandigarh, 8^th March 2022: The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) backed 3×3 Pro Basketball League (3BL) has returned for the third straight season. All the games are being played in Hotel Wyndham Chandigarh Mohali.

Defending Champion Gurugram Masters win Men’s Round 1 Conference A Title

Living up to their reputation, the reigning champions Gurugram Masters went 4-0 en route to start their 3BL Season 3 title defence on a winning note.

Facing fellow Pool A league rival Bangalore Machas for the second straight game in the finals, the Masters pulled away to a 21-12 win. This was an almost identical scoreline to their Pool stage win against the Machas, when they won 22-12.

The final one sided scoreline belied a neck-and-neck start. The teams were tied at 7-7, before Masters built up a 15-9 lead that would prove to be the difference.

Gurugram Masters’ Marcus James Hammonds II (from USA) was declared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for Day 1.

Meanwhile home town team, Chandigarh Beasts, missing its key India player Amjyot Singh Gill, found the going hard, getting knocked out in the pool stages itself.

3BL Players Return to Action after long COVID hiatus

Key players from various teams spoke about the opportunity of participating in 3BL, after a long COVID-induced break:

“It was not an easy game. But it was the first game so were anxious. We will improve for sure,” said Carlos Martinez, Mumbai Heroes’ Spanish player, after their opening Pool B win against Hyderabad Ballers.

“It was a great game and great platform to play here. It feels amazing. Our team played really well. We are just hoping to continue the flow,” said Arvind Arumugam from Bangalore Machas after their first Pool A victory over home team Chandigarh Beasts.

“I want to thank 3BL and Commissioner Rohit Bakshi for giving players like myself a platform to do what we do. We have been waiting so long (after the COVID induced break), it feels amazing [to be back on court],” said Inderbir Singh Gill of defending champion Gurugram Masters. 

Commemorating International Women’s Day

Earlier in the afternoon, prior to the start of the games, 3BL Director Mrs Prerna Sharma highlighted the occasion of International Women’s Day. “I would talk about talent. Not ‘women’s’ or ‘men’s’ talent. I would like to call my players, ‘players’. Not ‘women’s players’ or ‘men’s players’.” Specifically addressing the participating women’s players, Mrs Prerna Sharma added, “Many girls are looking forward to become like you, like Anmol(preet Kaur), Raspreet (Sidhu), Stephy (Nixon) and Ariadna (Geli Perez). The point is becoming a better human being and a better player, more than anything else.”

Prior to the Men’s Finals, a Women’s All-Star exhibition game was held between specially created teams ‘Shooting Strees’ and ‘Prima Donnas’. Spanish streetballer Ariadna Geli Perez, the first foreign player in 3BL Women’s League history, shone bright, leading Shooting Strees to a 11-9 win. 

Day 1 (8/3/2022) {Men’s Conference A} Results

Knockout Rounds

• Finals: Gurugram Masters bt Bangalore Machas 21-12
• Semifinals (in chronological order)
  • Gurugram Masters bt Goa Snipers 18-15
  • Bangalore Machas bt Mumbai Heroes 21-17

League Rounds (in chronological order)

• Pool A: Gurugram Masters bt Chandigarh Beasts 21-11
• Pool B: Mumbai Heroes bt Hyderabad Ballers 15-13
• Pool A: Bangalore Machas bt Chandigarh Beasts 18-15
• Pool B: Goa Snipers bt Hyderabad Ballers 21-13
• Pool A: Gurugram Masters bt Bangalore Machas 22-11

Pool B: Mumbai Heroes bt Goa Snipers 21-15

All results, team lists, pools and schedule can be accessed on the FIBA 3×3 website here.

About 3×3 Pro Basketball League (‘3BL’) Season 3

3BL is India’s only Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) backed 3×3 Pro Basketball League. The third season of the League is underway in Chandigarh, between 8-21 March 2022, and will take place over six two-day rounds. 

There are 12 participating men’s teams and 6 women’s teams. While this is the third season for the Men’s League, it is the second season for the Women’s League.

The men’s teams have been divided into two conferences:

Conference A: Gurugram Masters, Chandigarh Beasts, Bangalore Machas, Goa Snipers, Mumbai Heroes, Hyderabad Ballers

Conference B: Delhi Hoopers, Aizawl Legends, Kolkata Warriors, Chennai Icon, Ahmedabad Wingers, Lucknow Ligers

At the end of every preliminary round, Men’s Conference A & B winners will be announced, while an overall women’s winner will be announced. 

In the sixth and final round, the separate conferences in the men’s section will be done away with, and the winner of this round will be crowned the Season Champion. Meanwhile, in the women’s section, the winner of the sixth round will be name the Season winner.

For 3BL Season 3, Nivia is the official Apparel Partner, Wyndham Chandigarh Mohali is the Hospitality & Venue Partner, Boxo Singh Sports Worldwide Pvt. Ltd. is the Name Partner, 94.3 My FM is the Radio Partner, Red Bull is the Energy Drink Partner), Sony LIV is the Live Streaming Partner and Fortis Hospitals is the Medical Partner.

3BL is the only exclusive provider for an opportunity to compete at FIBA 3×3’s international circuit such as Challengers and World Tours from the Indian Sub-continent directly. ‘3BL’ is an intellectual property of YKBK Enterprise Pvt. Ltd.

More information at www.3x3bl.com

Follow 3BL on social media:

About Basketball Federation of India (BFI)

The Basketball Federation of India or BFI is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI has been involved in conducting camps, clinics, events, and training sessions at its academies for the development of basketball. BFI came into being in 1935 and took complete control over Indian basketball in 1950. Prior to that time, the Indian Olympic Association handled the conduct of Indian basketball championships. Since 1950, the BFI has been conducting various such championships, from the grassroots to senior team participation in international tournaments. In addition, the BFI has been responsible for the establishment of strong sub-junior and junior level programs. The BFI has to its credit produced several international players of repute, among them 19 have been bestowed with the honour of Arjuna Awards, and two have been conferred the Padma Shri. 

More information at www.basketballfederationindia.org.

Follow BFI on social media:

About YKBK Enterprise Pvt Ltd

Founded in 2017, YKBK Enterprise Pvt Ltd is the exclusive rights holder for conducting 3×3 professional basketball leagues in the Indian Sub-continent, which includes six countries i.e. India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan. It also owns the rights to host a 3×3 professional basketball league in the Kingdom of Thailand located in South East Asia.

Under Directors Mr. Rohit Bakshi (who is also League Commissioner, 3BL) and Mrs Prerna Sharma, YKBK has a clear vision to grow and promote 3×3 culture and its potential throughout the Indian Sub-continent and South East Asia by organizing a Professional Circuit, Grassroots Programs and build indoor 3×3 basketball facilities for the betterment of existing and upcoming players. 

Email: info@ykbkenterprise.com

About 3×3 Basketball

Akin to the T20 version of cricket, 3×3 basketball is one of the fastest growing urban sports in the world. It is also played widely in Indian schools and colleges, as well as in casual neighbourhood ‘pick-up’ games.

3×3 Basketball is the fastest and shortest format of basketball in the world. All you need is one hoop, a half-court and six players. Games can be staged outdoor and indoor in iconic locations to bring basketball directly to the people. It’s a 10-minute game. Highest score in 10 minutes or first team to score 21 points wins. Three-pointers are awarded two points, and two-pointers are awarded 1 point. 3×3 is not only FIBA’s second official discipline but will be played at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the Commonwealth Games – Birmingham 2022 and at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
FIBA 3×3 Video for more details: FIBA 3×3