Sarah to Represent 3x3 for the US (merged thread) | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Sarah to Represent 3x3 for the US (merged thread)

Zarathustra said:
The "regular" USA squads are selected (to be best of my knowledge) in
line with the just finished U16 Women's American Women's Team: 52
players invited to Colorado training facility, a " cut " down " to 22
"Finalists" and then a chosen12. For 3x3 competition I would guess that
it is different, but similar? In the past the Girls 3x3 were chosen by
a competition between a number of teams (four players = one team). The "WOMEN's Series" goes on all year, all over the world and for each competition site it is a different "team". So a particular team may be "selected" based
on the individual players experience and skill set for a particular tournament/
championship. One interesting fact is the "seeding" for these
tournaments. The seeding is based on the "country's/team's" record
over an extended period. Thus, the USA's lowish "seeding" for the
Marseille competition. Cierra Burdick has been playing international
3X3 competition for quite a long time.
On another front I was wrong on some of my "facts" about the
FIBA "official" ball. There are four approved balls: one by VEGA (Chinese
from Zhangzhou, China); one from Molten (Japanese, from Hiroshima); and
one each from Wilson and Spaulding. On the FIBA website these balls have
the "specifications" of "Size "6", Intermediate, 28.5 " (they said Diameter, but
they must mean Circumference?!, see below), and the material
is described as "composite leather" for Wilson, and Synthetic Leather for Spaulding. They describe the balls has having the "same weight" as the
size 7 ball. (men's, I assume). The NCAA, women's ball, is a "size 6" with a circumference "between 28.5 to 29" and a weight between 18 -20 oz. The ball "when dropped from 6 feet will bounce between 51 - 56 inches. So, if I
understand this correctly, the FIBA balls are the same "size", i.e. a size"6". I am
still a little confused about the weight as it was posted as "Same weight as
a Size 7". I also looked up the WNBA official ball: 16 oz, 28.5 " (so there
is a clear similarity of these balls). My mistake was that I believe that
I once heard a reference to different ball sizes/"grip"/weight etc. but that was at
a FIBA 'dunking' contest for MEN. I seemed to have generalized too much.
Any better information on such things would be appreciated for further
clarification.
P.S. There is an Official Surface for all FIBA 3X3 competition and
even an official "canopy system" for the outdoor venue (rain and sun
variables). So, there is a guaranteed uniformity among all international
sites. All teams have to contend with the same wind... and many
announcers have made comments about the wind affecting the
players outside shooting accuracy. Too much info? I must
have too, too much time on my retired hands!! Z
Expand ...
Please continue... My interest in the 3x3 is probably recent and generated by the lull in regular NCAA activity in the summer. I would expect though that with the upcoming Olympic venues in the US that your explanations will prove valuable in our understanding of (1) why this is now an Olympic sport, and (2) how, with all the variables across countries, can the governing body determine rules and regulations to provide equivalence for all? Thanks again.
 
JellyBean said:
Tough one but a great learning experience.
Expand ...
"Learning experience"? Maybe for some pick up, playground basketball and 3x3 play but certainly not any learning when it comes to 5 on 5 Div I or WNBA. There is little in 3x3 that transfers over to the way Geno wants his players to play.
 
ERWUC65 said:
Please continue... My interest in the 3x3 is probably recent and generated by the lull in regular NCAA activity in the summer. I would expect though that with the upcoming Olympic venues in the US that your explanations will prove valuable in our understanding of (1) why this is now an Olympic sport, and (2) how, with all the variables across countries, can the governing body determine rules and regulations to provide equivalence for all? Thanks again.
Expand ...
You are most welcome! My hunch about the "why" of 3X3 being an
Olympic Sport is that "FIBA" has Organized Worldwide competition
in basketball for YEARS! FIBA stands for "Federation Internationale de
Basketball". It was organized on June 18, 1932. FIBA has divided the
international basketball world into 5 zones with 212 National Federations being members. To answer #2: FIBA is the WORLD governing body for the sport
of Basketball! They organized the events and set the rules! For example, if
you look at the FIBA basketball "refs" they are men and women from
essentially every country in the world! N.B. Mongolia is a very active
member in the 3X3 international community.! For more information
check out FIBA by googling and reading the Wikipedia site.
On the 5X5 side of things: The USA women's U16 team which was just selected will be competing in the FIBA AMERICAS Championship in Irapuato, Mexico from June 16 to June 22,2025.
UCONN POI who are on that team: Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, H.S.
class of 2027. She is 6'2" from the state of Maryland, and Oliva Jones,
H.S. class of 2026. Olivia is 5'11" and she plays for Long Island Lutheran
H.S. By the way H.C. Kim Mulkey of LSU has already set her sights on the "Big Girl" on this USA team: Caroline Bradley, the 6'5" center (age 16) from Louisiana. Ms.
Bradley is the current Gatorade POY for Louisiana.
 
Zarathustra said:
You are most welcome! My hunch about the "why" of 3X3 being an
Olympic Sport is that "FIBA" has Organized Worldwide competition
in basketball for YEARS! FIBA stands for "Federation Internationale de
Basketball". It was organized on June 18, 1932. FIBA has divided the
international basketball world into 5 zones with 212 National Federations being members. To answer #2: FIBA is the WORLD governing body for the sport
of Basketball! They organized the events and set the rules! For example, if
you look at the FIBA basketball "refs" they are men and women from
essentially every country in the world! N.B. Mongolia is a very active
member in the 3X3 international community.! For more information
check out FIBA by googling and reading the Wikipedia site.
On the 5X5 side of things: The USA women's U16 team which was just selected will be competing in the FIBA AMERICAS Championship in Irapuato, Mexico from June 16 to June 22,2025.
UCONN POI who are on that team: Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, H.S.
class of 2027. She is 6'2" from the state of Maryland, and Oliva Jones,
H.S. class of 2026. Olivia is 5'11" and she plays for Long Island Lutheran
H.S. By the way H.C. Kim Mulkey of LSU has already set her sights on the "Big Girl" on this USA team: Caroline Bradley, the 6'5" center (age 16) from Louisiana. Ms.
Bradley is the current Gatorade POY for Louisiana.
Expand ...
I'm embarrassed to say your explanations and details just generate more questions. I.E., is there a distinction between amateur and professional and is there an age range in play and one more, is 5x5 just as popular, or more, than 3x3 and do we go to FIBA to learn the rules of each? I am quite familiar with FIFA rules and regs as being an American soccer coach for several years back in the day, although we have historically been the ugly duckling in that venue, mostly not complying with international structure.
 
Sarah will be playing in the FIBA 3X3 Women's Series Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
championship on June 18 and June 19. This will be a prelude to the
Fiba (bigger) 3x3 Women's championship, also in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on
June 23 -25. In the second competition the USA will be in POOL B and
play Czechia at 1:40 AM ET and then the Netherlands at 4:20 AM ET.
on June 25 they play Japan at 11:50 PM and the final POOL game is
against Chile at 2 AM ? June 26.
Her teammates will be Morgan Maly (Creighton U) and
Mikaylah Williams (LSU) and Sahara Williams ( U of Oklahoma)
These games will be televised LIVE on YouTube.com/ FIBA 3X3
NICE to have two players from the BIG EAST!! GO SARAH!, go MORGAN!
 
Morgan was a really solid player for Creighton. Never really thought she'd make it in the W, but like Burdick, and I'm sure others, 3x3 is a different animal and can be a great outlet for players not quite good enough to excel in the W.

For Sarah, great experience. I assume it's after the summer session? Perfect timing for her if she doesn't mind traveling and not going "home". I will admit I know very little about Mongolia, but what a great opportunity for her not only from a hoops perspective, but also from a traveling and exploring the world perspective!
 
.-.
Additional information on the first competition:
See also htts://Women's Series.FIBA.com/Ulaanbaatar
or OVERVIEW/ FIBA 3X3 Women's Series Ulaanbaatar Stop 3X3 2025
This is a 12-team field. USA is in POOL C. Our first game, June 18th,
is at 4:55 AM against AUSTRALIA! and the second game is
again on June 18th and it is against "AMGALAN U24".
This first tournament is similar to the one in Marseille, France earlier
this year. My hunch is that we are in this tournament to
adjust to the time difference and get the team chemistry and
timing down (prior to the June 23 - 25 tournament). It was my opinion
that our "issues" in Marseille included the multiple adjustments that are needed
to competitively compete with the different style of play and rules, etc. etc.
Sarah, Mikaylah and Sahara have previously played together. Morgan Maly is the new member on the team. There is no schedule yet for the third game. The Opponent and time will be determined by the results of the first day POOL
results.
The first tournament is the FIBA 3X3 "PRO CIRCUIT" and includes
national team and non-national team. I just check the 12 teams for this
first tournament. USA is "seeded" #6. The Fiba Page still has the
USA team with the same roster as in Marseille: Sarah, Burdick, M. Williams,
and Sahara Williams. I suspect Morgan Maly will be replacing Burdick?
Canada is the #1 seed, with Ulaanbaatar "Amazons MGL" #2 , Austria
#3, Germany #4, and Singapore #5 then the USA. Seeded # 12 is
Ukraine with Kateryne "KATE" Koval, formerly at NOTRE DAME. Kate has
transferred to LSU for next season. She has
already participated in 49 games with Ukraine over the years.
 
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I was hoping she was done until the start of the official UConn practice. Always concerned about a season ending injury.
 
FYI: a review of the FIBA 'seedings" for the First Tournament
"PRO SERIES" (June 18 - 19th). I have only included the teams that
are schedule to also play in the SECOND TOURNAMENT "FIBA
3X3 Women's World Cup" (June 23 -29th). The second list will be
the FIBA "seedings" of the World Cup team. I find this interesting
because how the USA does in the First Tournament will give an
indication of their probability of success in the "World Cup"
June 18 - 19th seedings: 1. Canada 3. Australia 4. Germany
6. USA 8. Japan 9. Mongolia 10. Austria 12. Ukraine. Take away:
8 out of the 12 teams will be repeaters for the second tournament and
"in theory" our competition is Canada, Australia and Germany.
June 23 - 29th seedings: Note the TOP 4 seeded teams for the
tournament are divided between the 4 Pools. The second four
seeded teams are then divided again into same four pools (Pool A - D) etc.
Thus: the USA (seeded #6) is in POOL B matched up against the #1 seeded
Netherlands, # 10 seeded Czechia, #15 seeded Japan, and #17th seeded
Chile. The other #1 seeds are China, France, and Spain. The other number TWO
seeds are Germany, Canada, and Poland.
If you are handicapping the tournaments based on the results of
the Marseille "Pro Series", here are the results from Marseille:
The winner was SPAIN, second place was Czechia, fourth place
was Poland, SIXTH PLACE was the USA (Sarah, C. Burdick, M. Williams,
and Sahara Williams), 10th place was Australia, and 11th was Netherlands.
I apologize if anyone finds this boring.... I find it fascinating to
understand at the outset that the USA team is not the "favorite" in
either one of these tournaments (although I realize that the FIBA
seeding system is somewhat tortuous!). I am interested in the
possible BONEYARD interest to these Middle of the Night games.
Of course, there will be YouTube video replays at more sane
hour for sleepy UCONN fans. GO SARAH!! Beat Australia, Beat
Amgalan U24!
 
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.-.
First game opponent 4:55 AM, Wednesday, a12-hour time differential.
Australia: Alex Wilson age 31, 180 cm = 5' 11", a previous MVP at an earlier tournament site. Annel Maley age 26, 186 cm= 6'1'". She was briefly with LA SPARKS in training camp this spring. Miela Sowah, age 25, 177 cm = 5'10"; played at DUKE U., and Marena Whittle age 31, 180 cm = 5'11. You'll know her by the tattoos on her
right arm. USA heights per FIBA: Sahara Williams, 182 cm= 6'0", Mikaylah
Williams, 183 cm = 6'0", Sarah Strong 190 cm = 6'3" (per FIBA! 190 cm translates
to 74.8031 inches which is, of course, just shy of 6'3") and either
Cierra Burdick, 31 years old, 187 cm = 6'2"; or Morgan Maly, 6'1". Morgan was
briefly on the Connecticut Sun's Spring Training roster. Some confusion between
the current FIBA web site and the USA team "announcement" for the Second
tournament which has Morgan Maly, not C. Burdick.
The Second Game is about two hours later at 6:45 AM. I believe that this will either be "Amgalan U24" a "Pro" team from Mongolia or a Team called
the Ulaanbaatar "Amazons". The "Amazons", I believe, are the Mongolian National team. The "Amazons" may have a "national Hero" on this squad so there will be more than a little HOME COURT crowd support! I have not checked the roster
as of yet.
 
Follow-up: The USA's and Sarah's second game (tomorrow)
is against the "PRO" team "Amagalan U24". The heights of that
roster are: 5'6", 5' 10", 5' 7", and 5'7". The "National Hero" lady
is Khulan Onobaatar, 25 years old, 5' 11". She is on the
Ulaanbaatar "Amazons" team.
 
GOOD MORNING, Next up: USA vs Australia
So far. some upsets: Ukraine upsets Germany 15 - 13
Australia over Angalan U24 21 -6
Austria upsets Ulaanbaatar 17 - 11
Canada over Mongolia 21 - 6 and
finally, Germany in a MUST win over Singapore 21 - 17
Back in about 15 -20 minutes
******** VICTORY! USA 21 Australia 18 *************
Morgan Maly 8 points, Sarah Strong 4 points, Mikaylah Williams 3 points
and Sahara Williams 6 points.
USA falls behind early, comes back to tie at 11 - 11 and 13 - 13.
Australia with multiple two pointers to keep it tight. This was
a Physical, fast paced game. Multiple players winded and
missing some defensive assignments. This could have gone
either way. A number of missed offensive opportunities by
the USA left a BIG OPENING for an Australian comeback. On
a positive point for Sarah... she had at least two blocks.
Morgan Maly, Creighton, with some Critical late game free throws.
The announcer reported that this was the AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC
NATIONAL TEAM!
Back for the USA vs Amagalan U24 game at 6:45 AM.
 
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USA WINS 21 - 8 over Amgalan U24. USA
ADVANCES TO THE Quarterfinals WITH 2-0 record. They will play
a "to be determined" opponent at 5:35 AM tomorrow.
Again, the USA started SLOW! FALLING BEHIND 2 -5.
Scoring: Sarah either 5 or 6 points, Morgan Maly had 3 points,
Sahara Williams 8 points with two long range two pointers,
and Mikaylah Williams with 4 points. Sarah again with at
least two blocks. Interesting Morgan Maly had her shot
BLOCKED at least twice! The announcer reported that in
the first game Sarah had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and she had 3/6 shooting
and two blocks. He also reported that Morgan Maly had
a rating of 9.8 in the first game (very high).
The real surprise so far is UKRAINE being 2- 0 and in
the Quarterfinals. Kate Koval,6'5", was unstoppable.
Some interesting teams sre on the 'bubble' and may not
get to the quarterfinals with 1 - 1 records. The 0 -2 teams are
OUT. Therefore, multiple tie breakers may be in effect for the quarterfinals. "Aggravate Score" for each team in the first games is one of the tie breakers.
First game tomorrow is at 4:10 AM, USA's game is at 5:35 AM. Replay
videos for today's game is (I believe) on Fiba 3x3 THE 3x3 Basketball Channel - You Tube or YouTube.com/ FIBA 3x3. I believe both searches will get you there.
BYW, Paige Bueckers with 20 points in Dallas' win, 80 -71, over Kaitlyn Chen's
Valkyries. Chen did not play (coach's decision)
 
Sarah much better in Gm 2 though her three-point shot still hasn't fallen. The Chinese team a smaller opponent which worked out well for the US.
 
.-.
Oh, this isn’t the World Cup. This is the event before the World Cup; so not quite as important tbh.

Japan is always tough at these events. If they get hot from 3… they could pull the upset.
 
Stagnant said:
Oh, this isn’t the World Cup. This is the event before the World Cup; so not quite as important tbh.

Japan is always tough at these events. If they get hot from 3… they could pull the upset.
Expand ...
Agreed. Japan is very quick and they play very well together! Japan's record is
1 - 1, but their loss came to POWERFUL Canada.
 
The FIBA stat page has an incredible amount of analytics.
USA is number one overall (which is a composite of FORTY items!)
USA and Canada teams are tied for most points scored: 42, but Canada has
the better defense: 18 total points allowed to USA's 26 allowed.
Canada is also shooting 55% from distance (a two-point shot).
The two other top teams statistically are Ukraine and Australia.
Austria has the best rebounder in the tournament Alexia Allesch.
She is 6'2" and averages 10.5 rebounds per game. Kate Koval of
LSU / Ukraine is also do well in the rebounding stats.
Individual statistics can be misleading. Fiba gives 33 items for
individual players. For the USA: Sahara Williams is # 5 in the
tournament (statistically), Morgan Maly is # 11, Mikaylah Williams is
# 19, and Sarah is # 20 (out of 48 total players). If Sarah or
Mikaylah gets on track; the USA could do well.
The German 3x3 team is the Olympic 3x3 gold medalist team.
Remember this tournament is, in essence, a warmup to next
week's Woman's 3x3 WORLD CUP. In that second tournament we have the
top four 3x3 teams playing who are NOT in this tournament:
China, Netherlands, France, and Spain. Germany, Canada, and
USA are considered the next 3 top rated teams with Poland and
Italy (both well regarded teams) that are also playing next week (but not this
week). Besides the USA vs Japan game tomorrow, the Canada vs
Australia contest on the opposite side of the bracket could be the
eventually finalist team against the USA (if we beat Japan and
the winner of the other game in our bracket (either Austria or
Germany)). My hope is USA vs Canada for the GOLD! GO SARAH,
get "HOT".
 
Stagnant said:
I noticed Canada doesn’t have their really good team here. No Plouffe sisters helps USA quite a bit.
Expand ...
Agreed. I did not think of that variable.
Next week's 3x3 "national" World Cup competition has already
announced the "pools" and first round pairings. Some teams from
this week's "PRO" 3x3 that will meet next week are Ukraine vs Germany (Pool D)
and, in Pool B: USA vs Japan, which, of course in the next matchup for
the Sarah and her teammates tomorrow morning. WIN BOTH OF THEM,
SARAH! REMEMBER: tomorrow games include the quarterfinals, the
semifinals, and the FINAL! Games start at 4:10 AM, with the USA's
game scheduled for 5:35 AM.
 
.-.
Quarterfinals USA 21 Japan 9
USA exploits the mismatches on height
Sarah 5 points with rebounds and one block
M. Maly 6 points with rebounds and assists
S. Williams 3 points rebounds and one nice "tip"
M. Williams 7 points.
USA to play Germany in the SEMI. Germany's
team is NOT their Olympic GOLD medal team. They
defeated Austria in the quarterfinals 18 -13 with
Speed, and great team chemistry and are WELL
coached with get combination plays ("FAKE HANDOFFS"
etc.) and they have a VERY FAST (# 4 jersey) player: ZOLPER
=== really fast!!!
In the other Quarterfinal: Australia 20 - 16 over Canada
and Ukraine (with 6'5" Kate Koval, LSU) beat Mongolia's
"AMAZONS" 16 - 13. Prediction Australia over Ukraine and
USA over GERMANY. FINAL??? USA vs Australia in a repeat of
the first game of this tournament: USA beating Australia in
that one (the game could have gone either way, IMHO). GO SARAH!
 
Australia 21 - 16 over Ukraine
K. Koval started off "hot" hitting intermediate shots and TWO
long range (two pointers). Australia just the better team and
better coached. #21 for Australia is the team leader WHITTLE!
remember that name. Notable that Koval is tied with Mikaylah
Williams for the tournament for "top player value".
 
US beats Germany in OT 19-18 as Sarah hits the game winner. Great block by Sahara Williams at the end of regulation forces the OT. The US plays Australia again in the final.
 
USA over Germany 19 - 18 IN OVERTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA was down by 4 early: 7 -11.
Clawed back. THEN... 'yarders for the USA with
bad passes, missed foul shots, missed bunnies, offensive
fouls, air balls... you name it...OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!!
and, as the announcer put it: " MENTAL BREAKDOWNS"!!
I 'll have to watch the replay of this game on YouTube (if the USA
gets by Australia in the FINALS !!). THE TWO BEST TEAMS:
They played in the FIRST game... they'll play in the FINAL game!
 
Australia 20 USA 19
Incredible! Australia RUNS out the CLOCK for the WIN.
USA started strong for a change. But ... in the final minute
Australia scores, a turnover by the USA, and Australia scores
AGAIN. Marena Whittle probably the MVP with being
the HIGHEST Scorer in the Tournament.
NEXT WEEK some of the same teams and FOUR MORE
EXCELLENT TEAMS. USA needs to find a way to put together
a complete game..... and FINISH in the FINAL MINUTES...
 
Sarah didn't make one shot beyond 5 feet in the tourney. The US team as a whole played too much iso instead of moving. Sarah stood around and deferred more than was optimal.
 
.-.
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