Wrong about 3x3

And I thought 5x5 was tougher than 3x3. Newly minted 2020 Chooks to Go 3x3 President’s Cup Champion Troy Rike and semi-finalist Gab Banal told me a few days ago how physically and mentally demanding it is.

Just being in the bubble itself is already mentally challenging, preparing for games where you’re exposed defensively against mismatches can cause mental health issues for the uninitiated.

Playing 3x3 will improve their games on both sides of the ball. Rike shared that playing 3x3 leaves you vulnerable to defending much smaller guys which has helped his agility and mobility in defending small forwards and guards.

Banal indicated that there isn’t much time to think in 3x3, you always have to be alert if not two or three steps ahead of the play before it happens.

3x3 is much more physical. a forearm shiver here and a love tap there will test your mental toughness. Troy says his individual defense has improved while Gab opines he has better basketball instincts now.

One must think quick on their feet on 3x3 because the games are short and the tournament concludes in a matter of weeks. I forgot to ask both young men how they deal with taunting, my impression of Troy is he probably won’t get into it while Gab, on the other hand, seems like he can talk smack but he can back it up.