Red Bull Half Court returns for its fourth straight edition and will once again give teams in Nigeria and across the world the opportunity to compete against themselves and be ultimately crowned world champions.
The competition is a 3-on-3 version of basketball. The tournament uses a unique set of rules based on the gameplay of FIBA guidelines and has evolved into an annual global community celebration that motivates players to bring their own style into the game.
Around 27 countries will be participating in this year’s competition, with the world final taking place in Belgrade, Serbia on September 16 and 17.
Dusan Bulut, who is considered to be the greatest 3-on-3 basketball player of all time, shared his excitement to see the final coming to his country where the game is very popular.
“There is no man or child in Serbia that didn’t play 3-on-3 at least once,” Bulut said.
“The game gives you a platform to express yourself in any way you want. It’s just a cultural thing.
“Everybody is playing, everybody is competing. That’s why it is such a great honour for the entire country, that the 2023 Red Bull Half Court final will be hosted in Belgrade. It will be an incredible atmosphere.”
A male-only tournament will begin on Saturday with the first qualifier taking place at Nile University Abuja. Qualifiers would hold in Owerri (May 20), Ibadan (May 27), and Lagos – Mainland and Island (June 3 and 4) subsequently.
Last year’s Red Bull Half Court included over 10,000 players from 25 countries with Italy claiming victory in the men’s final at the Great Pyramid of Giza in Cairo, Egypt while Japan took home the women’s title at the same venue.
