Slam dunk success! ‘Street’ basketball proves a big hit

While basketball has long been one of the most popular sports played within the Jewish community, a new form of it is currently taking the country by storm and Maccabi GB was on hand at the weekend to offer anyone who wanted to, an opportunity to take part in it.

Put simply, 3x3 is the 'street' version of basketball, with each game being 10 minutes long and played in half a court with both teams attacking a single basket.

Speaking about the sport and MGB offering people the chance to play it, Jordan Sapler, MGB’s Head of Sports, Health and Wellbeing, says: “The sport is technical, fast-paced and extremely exciting to watch. We're delighted to have seen a rise in Jewish basketball over the last couple of years with membership of the Maccabi GB Basketball club growing each week. It therefore made sense for us to bring together not just those young members, but also stalwarts of Maccabi GB basketball in the past to compete in this new form.”

Oz Simani, Jonathan Damon and Avraham Sassooni won the U18 event. Picture credit: Georgia Rosenberg[Missing Credit]

The Maccabi GB Community 3x3 tournament was held on Sunday afternoon, with competitions held for U18 and an open age group. Interest in the fast-growing version of the sport was illustrated by the fact that 31 players took part, including five teams in the U18 competition and four in the open category.

Commenting on the amount of interest being generated for 3x3 basketball, Sapler says: “It’s huge. We're lucky to have Dan Tannenbaum as Maccabi GB Basketball chair, he has been instrumental in the setting up and re-starting of junior basketball in the community. There are also several members who play regularly in other teams, with our aim being to provide a space within the community for everyone.”

The winners of the open age category event. Picture credit: Georgia Rosenberg[Missing Credit]

While Sunday’s event was MGB’s first, Sapler is already looking forward to the next. “We will definitely be holding future events”, he says. “While talk of a League is a possibility, that is for further down the line. At the moment we are organically growing the sport and we will see where it takes us, however a lot of the players are currently playing in high quality teams around London and beyond.”

Jonathan Damon (left) in action during one one of his side's matches on their way to winning the U18 event. Picture credit: Georgia Rosenberg[Missing Credit]

Speaking of beyond, 3x3 basketball already has its own place at the Maccabiah Games and European Games, with Sapler hoping MGB can field a team at future tournaments. “It is already played there, usually staged over a couple of days as it's such a fast format. We were lucky to have four GB teams play at the European Maccabi Youth Games last summer and will be taking some younger athletes to the JCC games this summer.

“We are always hopeful of taking teams to the Maccabiah and would urge anyone interested in taking part to get in touch with us.”