CHINA DAILY August 25, 2014 Page 3 NEWS More aggressive 3-on-3 New event a format wows the crowds By SUN XIAOCHEN [email protected]

By SUN XIAOCHEN The high-flying slam dunk contest at [email protected] the Nanjing Youth Olympics brought a taste of NBA All-Star-type glitz to amaze Boasting a dynamic and free style that local fans. appeals to young athletes, the 3-on-3 bas- For diehard hoops fans, windmills ketball event is growing in popularity at and between-the-leg dunks are common the Nanjing Youth Games as representa- fare at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, but a tives of the sport hope for its inclusion in group of young players competing in the the Olympics. 3-on-3 tournament displayed those icon- At the outdoor venue at ic stunts in front of hundreds of boister- Wutaishan Sports Center, the 3-on-3 ous fans on the outdoor court of Wutais- games have been electric. Crowds applaud han Sports Center on Thursday. every 3-point shot and chant the names It was the first time the YOG had of players as hip-hop music blares. Every included a dunk contest on its program night, there are dynamic crossovers, no- and it attracted 21 contenders from 16 look passes and thunderous dunks. NOCs. “It (the 3-on-3 format) is a perfect match Amid thunderous applause from the (for young athletes). This is a game for crowd, local youngster Fu Lei stepped on young people, this is a game for hip-hop the court as the first of the four finalists. music and this is a fashionable game. This He waved to the stands and then pulled a is something you want to bring to the city courtside barrier under the basket. and it will be embraced by young people,” The 18-year-old then sprinted to the said International Basketball Federation paint and leapt over the fence to finish a president Patrick Baumann after the men’s single-handed dunk, reminding some of dunk contest on Thursday. ’s over-the-sedan trick in the The 3-on-3 version is at times a faster 2011 NBA All-Star dunk contest. and more aggressive variant of the 5-on-5 “I just wanted to prove that the yellow format. Each game lasts for one 10-minute man can fly as well,” Fu said of his high- period. The team that first scores 21 points flying exploits after the contest. “As the or scores the most points wins the game. only Asian athlete qualified for the final, There is a 12-second shot clock and a team I tried to earn some respect for Asia.” secures a new possession after stepping Still, Fu’s athleticism was not quite up from behind the 3-point arc. In the event to the level of his European peers. of a tie at the end of regulation, the team Ziga Lah, a Slovenian hoopster, soon that scores first in sudden death wins. impressed he fans with a catch-and-go There are quick transitions from defense stunt. He grabbed the ball from a team- to offense, at times leading to smoother mate’s outstretched hand while leaping games than 5-on-5. Russian player Kirill Jannes Hundt of Germany drives to the hoop against a French player during the 3-on-3 Group up in the air and slammed it in after A match at the Nanjing Youth Olympics on Saturday. France won 20-11. PHOTO BY XINHUA changing hands across his legs. The pow- erful and stylish dunk earned a healthy Gornaev said the 3-on-3 format provides plan to alter the Games program for its round of applause. more opportunities to showcase skills and 2020 agenda could bode well for the 3-on- “I said to myself, it’s dunk-or-die situa- power. 3 format. tion (in the final) because this is a once- “This version is indeed challenging. It is “We hope with the changes for 2020 … in-a-lifetime chance. I was trying to win,” a lot tougher than the regular basketball we think we have good cards in play,” said Lah said about his performance. format. You not only need skills, but also Baumann. However, the first three performers, power, stamina, strength … and a lot of Garbajosa agreed. including Spanish player Adnan Omer- energy to play and overcome your rivals. It “I wish (it will happen). I think it will be agic Alic, came up short against eventu- means you have to be on your toes all the a great opportunity (to further promote al champion Karim Mouliom of France. time,” the power forward said. street ball). It will be like (the inclusion of Boasting a fun and engaging style, Former Olympian Jorge Garbajosa, who both) volleyball and beach volleyball. It’s Mouliom invited three girls from Hun- won gold with Spain at the 2006 FIBA like the same sport with a different way gary’s 3-on-3 team and formed them into World Championships and is a former to play. It’s exciting for the Olympic family a human ladder crouching near the bas- NBA player, said it’s more fun to watch the to include new events,” the Spaniard said. ket. The 18-year-old then soared over abridged version of the sport. The recently concluded FIBA 3x3 World their heads and slammed his way to full “It’s very different from 5-on-5. Players Tour Beijing Masters is proof of the game’s points and victory. have to practice specifically for this game. popularity as more than 1,800 teams in Mouliom has competed in many dunk It’s very exciting and there is no resting seven age and gender categories competed contests with even crazier stunts but win- “I think it will be a great or breaks in transition. I think it’s a great during the preliminary stage on 100 courts ning an Olympic gold medal was a first. opportunity (to further complement and almost a different sport at the Wukesong Hi-Park in Beijing. “I am really excited (about winning a to 5-on-5 basketball,” said the 36-year-old, “Every country needs to look at the 3-on- gold medal). The crowd is very cool. This promote street ball). It will who is in Nanjing to promote the Youth 3 format and how it best fits the develop- definitely looks like the NBA All-Star be like (the inclusion of Games. ment of the game of basketball. There are Weekend,” Mouliom said after the medal Promoted worldwide since its debut at going to be many countries like Syria and ceremony. both) volleyball and beach the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore, the Guam. They currently may not be consid- Lah claimed the silver while Fu won volleyball.” 3-on-3 format is lobbying for entry to the ered as 5-on-5 powers, but the 3-on-3 for- the bronze. Summer Olympics program. mat could be a tool for these countries to All the finalists enjoyed All-Star treat- JORGE GARBAJOSA Baumann, also an International Olym- develop. It’s like giving a home to all street ment as they were mobbed for auto- Former Spanish Olympian pic Committee member, said the IOC’s ball players,” Baumann said. graphs and selfies.