Team Sri Lanka took flight to China and Mongolia, for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2019 and the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup 2019, respectively. It was an ill-fated twofold foreign assignment as the teams failed to record even a single win.
Statistics – Sri Lanka Men`s Team – FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2019
| Points Per Game** | SL vs. Chinese Taipei | SL vs. Kyrgyzstan | SL vs. Vietnam | Total Points |
| Arnold Brent | 08 | 06 | 02 | 16 |
| Gayan De Croos | 00 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| Pawan Gamage | 02 | 03 | 12 | 17 |
| Kisal Cooray | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 |
Click and Read: FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2019; Sri Lanka bids farewell
Statistics – Sri Lanka Women`s Team – FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2019
| Points Per Game** | SL vs. Philippines | SL vs. Japan | Total Points |
| Anjalee Ekanayake | 01 | 03 | 04 |
| Solange Gunawijeya | 00 | 06 | 06 |
| Prasadi De Croos | 03 | 00 | 03 |
| Benika Thalagala | 02 | 02 | 04 |
| SL vs. Philippines | SL vs. Japan | |
| Total Shots | 31 | 30 |
| Made Shots | 05 | 16 |
| Total Possessions | 40 | 33 |
| Points-Per-Possession | 0.15 | 0.67 |
Click and Read: Egypt and China takedown Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Women`s Team – FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup 2019
| Points Per Game** | SL vs. Egypt | SL vs. China | SL vs. Ukraine | SL vs. Mexico | Total Points |
| Taniya Perera | 03 | 02 | 00 | 04 | 09 |
| Hazeena Abdul | 03 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 03 |
| H.K Thisari | 01 | 02 | 04 | 03 | 10 |
| Malmi Hettiarachchi | 00 | 01 | 00 | 02 | 03 |
**Stats courtesy: www.fiba.basketball
Sri Lanka in action at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2019 | Photo Courtesy: FIBA.basketball
Stats are facts, let us look at the facts. This open review will not criticize any player on why a certain player scored and another one failed. This evaluation will also not challenge any selections or the integrity of the selection process in the tournament. The facts will relate the narrative, the readers will decide.
Over and over, many times, we have boasted about the blooming 3×3 basketball culture of Sri Lanka. Since the initiation of this format by FIBA (world governing body for the sport), the isle has been represented in almost all the major tournaments. From the U-18 level to the senior level in both men`s and women`s categories, from regionals to world competitions, Sri Lanka has participated.
- Sri Lanka in action at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2019 | Photo Courtesy: FIBA.basketball
The number of tournaments that the country participates in each year should increase in a growing format. Unfortunately, it has been the other side way around in this case. The direct placements for the international tournaments are drawn based on the federation ranking points. For 2019, Sri Lanka is qualified to participate in 3 tournaments. Two have been ticked off and in September, the country will play in the U23 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
Click and Read: FIBA 3×3 Rankings, how does it work?
So, is Sri Lanka Basketball going the right way?
In the corporate field, businessmen build and execute strategies to achieve their business goals. In any field of work around the globe, a similar practice is followed in accomplishing one`s targets. The commonly used yard-stick to measure the success of the strategies are the statistics. The data will determine whether the strategies have triumphed or should be re-aligned on the drawing board.
Click and Read: Not intimated by bigger opposition – Pawan Gamage
It is imperative that we see the facts stated through stats with an open mind to better ourselves. Above are the stats of the National 3×3 teams in two top-tier, elite competitions. The stats will be the judge as to whether the national 3×3 strategies have been successful or not.
Sri Lanka launched its brand new 3×3 tournament, the open-pick-up games for the top 100 players. For the U18 level, Kobe Cup will be the selection tournament. The core strategies can be right or wrong, but, it is important that the facts are evaluated at every corner to gain a broader perspective. Based on the re-evaluation, step-back outside the D, hit the drawing board and re-align the strategies if required.
- Action from 3x3 Open Pick-Up Games
The question will always re-surface, “Is Sri Lanka Basketball going the right way?” irrespective of the result. If it is bad, then to turn the tables around, if it is good, how to be even better. However, it is the administration’s obligation to raise the question and to tweak the process, to keep moving forward.
If not, the blooming 3×3 basketball culture of the paradise island will set sail towards extinction.
