The NBL's 3X3 season takes on a whole new look in 2021 with Basketball's Biggest Party set to deliver loads of fast, furious & physical action!
With player drafts, equal game payments for players, captain selections, a trade weekend, two national titles, equal prizemoney and an interntaional series between New Zealand and Australia, this year's Schick Cup and Schick Christmas Classic are certain to entertain.
This year's events will feature 100 players, more than 120 games and over 40 hours of live coverage on Sky Sport. It's a recipe for entertainment and NBL General Manager Justin Nelson can't wait for it all to tip-off.
"The broader community are about to see 3X3 basketball played at the Olympics and I'm confident they are going to instantly warm to it. The half-court game is played at a break-neck speed, it's very physical and it is loads of fun to watch, a really family atmosphere," said Nelson.
"This year we've taken our NBL 3X3 product to a new level with two events, but it's the player drafts that will really make it intriguing to watch. A bit like last year's Showdown in the Sal's NBL, we are expecting lots of twists and turns on draft night, which will be a buzz.
"Most of all I'm really please that we have produced total equality with our 3x3 product. The women and men are paid the same game fees, they enjoy an equal level of broadcast time, and the prizemoney is the same. It's an overdue step in an exciting new direction," Nelson added.
Are you ready for the Schick Cup and Schick Christmas Classic? How about two player drafts? Here's everything you need to know about the 2021 NBL 3X3 season.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
HOW THE DRAFT WORKS
HOW THE TRADE WEEKEND WORKS
THE TALL BLACKS AND TALL FERNS ARE PLAYING
THE KEY DATES
Player Registrations For The Player Draft
Now Open - click HERE to register
Closes: Friday July 23 (11:59pm)
Captain Selection / Contracting
Opens: Saturday July 24 (9:00am)
Closes: Sunday July 25 (6:00pm)
Captain Announcements - Women
Monday July 26 (10:00am)
Captain Announcements - Men
Monday July 26 (11:00am)
Uniform Reveals
Tuesday July 27 (All Day)
Draft Order Revealed - Men & Women (random draw)
Wednesday July 28 (1:00pm)
Women's Draft
Thursday July 29 (TBA)
Men's Draft
Friday July 30 (TBA)
Trade Weekend
Opens: Saturday July 31 (9:00am)
Closes: Sunday August 1 (6:00pm)
Final Teams Announced
Monday August 2 (10:00am)
THE EVENTS
Schick Cup
Thursday October 14 - Saturday October 16
ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Tickets On Sale - click HERE
Schick Christmas Classic
Thursday December 9 - Saturday December 11
SkyCity Theatre, Auckland
Tickets on sale soon.