ILT Stadium Southland has secured the rights to a new national basketball league starting this Thursday.

The inaugural Schick 3×3 runs from November 12 to 14 with 20 teams (men and women) battling it out on a half court with some fast, furious and physical action.

Many of the country’s top players — excluding those in the Australian NBL — would feature in the fully televised event.

Players to look out for in the league include Southland Sharks player Hyrum Harris, Otago Nuggets’ Sam Timmins, Hawkes Bay Hawks Ethan Rusbatch and Derone Raukawa and Taranaki Mountainairs player Karl Noyer.

ILT Stadium Southland general manager Nigel Skelt said they held the hosting rights for the event for the next three years, which was a great opportunity for Invercargill.

“We wanted to create a destination event and with the Southern Sharks doing so well in the national league, we have the potential to draw the big crowds,” he said.

With only three players on each side and a quick 17-minute turnaround between games in each block, it will be all go until the two winning teams are announced on Saturday night.

The National Basketball League has a vision to turn the event into a three to four week event travelling from city to city in August 2021.

Basketball is getting stronger in New Zealand, with the men’s under 18 team claiming the world title in both 2011 and 2015, while last year the women’s under 18 team came second behind the United States.

All games will be broadcast on SkySport3 and people can also follow the action on the Sal’s NBL website, or by following the Schick 3X3 Cup action at @NZNBL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. #Schick3X3Cup

Tickets and entertainment packages are available for all sessions at Ticketek or ILT Stadium Southland. Adults from $16 and juniors from $8 per day.

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