The year 2026 represents a pivotal moment for Singaporean 3×3 basketball, packed with major international competitions. As the nation prepares to host two key events in April, the Singaporean teams are aiming to capitalize on home-court advantage and demonstrate their growing prowess on the world stage.
Singapore will host the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for the fifth time from April 1st to 5th at the Kallang Marena, followed by the inaugural FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifying Tournament from April 11th to 12th. These back-to-back tournaments present a significant opportunity for Singapore to produce a statement in the rapidly evolving world of 3×3 basketball.
Facing the prospect of these high-stakes competitions, particularly the World Cup qualifying stage, Singaporean player Xu Duan Yang admitted to some nerves but expressed a strong desire to showcase the nation’s 3×3 basketball capabilities. “I think about it every few days,” Xu said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao on Tuesday, March 24th, reflecting on the team’s historic silver medal win at the Thailand Southeast Asian Games. “Before important matches, I try to recall the mindset I had before that game and adjust accordingly.”
Players Focused on Opportunity, Aim to Prove Singapore’s Potential
The 6’1” Xu Duan Yang was instrumental in helping the Singaporean men’s team achieve a historic silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and believing in the team’s ability to compete at a high level, even when facing physically imposing opponents.
Currently ranked 31st in the world, the Singaporean men’s team is grouped with Japan (ranked 14th) in Group C of the Asia Cup. The third team in the group will be determined through qualifying matches involving Tonga, South Korea, and Vietnam. The World Cup qualifying tournament presents a tougher challenge, as Singapore is drawn alongside top seed Czech Republic (ranked 18th) and Brazil (ranked 44th), making advancement to the main tournament a difficult task.
Xu Duan Yang acknowledged the skepticism surrounding Singapore’s chances, particularly regarding physical stature. “I know many people don’t have high expectations for Singapore, believing we lack the physical attributes,” he stated. “But I want to show the world that Singaporean players, even without superior physicality or height, can still compete at a considerable level.”
National Coach Rasic: Team’s Mindset Shift Fuels Rapid Development, Olympic Aspirations
Singaporean 3×3 basketball head coach Rasic echoed Xu’s sentiments, expressing excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead this year. He believes the team is poised to achieve breakthroughs in performance and start its journey towards Olympic qualification. Rasic highlighted the significant progress made in Singaporean 3×3 basketball in recent years, noting the growth from a handful of players to a national pool of 20.
The Singaporean men’s and women’s teams have secured qualification for the Commonwealth Games 3×3 basketball tournament this year, providing a platform to build momentum towards the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Rasic emphasized that the team’s transformation extends beyond skill development; it’s a shift in mentality.
“They now genuinely believe that achieving success on the world stage is possible for Singapore,” Rasic explained. “Initially, there was some doubt, but now the morale and mindset are more like: ‘Yes, we can do it.’”
Addressing the challenge of facing taller opponents, Rasic revealed he has a “secret weapon” prepared, but remained tight-lipped about the specifics. He also expressed hope that the women’s team can overcome its stage fright and perform confidently in front of a home crowd, stating, “This is my biggest challenge every year. We definitely have some pressure we can’t overcome, but I think we are better prepared mentally this year.”
Rasic also expressed his delight at Singapore’s ability to host multiple 3×3 basketball events in a short period, providing increased exposure for the sport and inspiring a new generation of players. “This is a great thing… because many children who are willing to come and watch can witness firsthand what this basketball sport is like, how we fight for it, how we train, and perhaps they can also begin to dream of becoming a national team member in the future.”
The upcoming tournaments represent more than just a chance to compete; they are an opportunity to elevate the profile of 3×3 basketball in Singapore and inspire a nation. With a renewed sense of belief and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Singaporean teams are ready to capture on the challenge and prove their potential on the international stage.
Xu Duan Yang will also be participating in the inaugural 3×3.EXE Super Premier this weekend, further preparing him for the challenges ahead. He views the busy schedule not as a burden, but as a valuable opportunity to test his skills against some of the world’s best teams.
The next major checkpoint for the Singaporean 3×3 teams is the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, beginning April 1st at the Kallang Marena. Keep checking back with Archysport for updates and analysis throughout the tournament. What are your predictions for Singapore’s performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
