Basketball: Wijass, Indasi ready for 3x3 Commonwealth basketball tip off on Friday

Team Kenya 3x3 basketball player John Odhiambo in action during their training session at the Smithfield Market in Birmingham United Kingdom on July 28, 2022. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

Former Kenya Lioness captain Hilda Indasi is confident of doing better at the 2022 Commonwealth Games when they represent the country in the 3x3 basketball that kicks off on Friday.

Making its Commonwealth Games (CWG) debut, the 3x3 format of basketball is up for some fast-paced action.

Indasi said they have been training for over two months and she is ready to go. Kenya women’s team will kick off with a match against Sri Lanka from 7.35pm local time.

“We started training two months ago and at some point wished we could give it a break but we are seeing the results now because everyone is pumped and ready to go.”
“3x3 is all about IQ and I believe we can win. We are all the same compared to 5x5 and it will depend on how fast we can start our games and ensure we go for the kill early enough,” said Indasi.

On the other hand, Kenya’s men’s team kicks off their games with a match against Canada
Only half a court and one hoop will be used for both teams with just 12 seconds on the shot clock in this event instead of the 24 in full court basketball.

Every team should have three players and one substitute, with shots scored from inside the arc shaped zone resulting in one point and those taken from behind the arc adding two points to the score.

The first team to 21 points wins. If no team reaches the score after ten minutes, the team in the lead is declared the winner.

Kenya will be represented in the 3x3 basketball competition after being handed a direct qualification as the second top-ranked African team.

The 3x3 format has been introduced for the first time at the Commonwealth Games this year, replacing the 5x5 format that has been in existence for the last couple of years.
Also, the Wheelchair Basketball 3x3 contest has been introduced for the first time in the Commonwealth Games. 
The Kenyan women's team is currently placed tenth in Africa and 73rd globally. 
Faheem Juma, Larry Shavanga, Darril Omondi, John Wijass Odhiambo, Gabriel Onyango and David Odanga will represent the men’s team. 
The women’s team will be represented by Victoria Reynolds, Melissa Akinyi, Medina Okot, Hilda Indasi, Leslie Kiberenge, Stella Nekesa and Deborah Atieno.