The stage is set for the first-ever 3x3 Trans-Tasman showdown with the New Zealand and Australian teams facing off in the inaugural international series to be played at the 3x3 Cup in Invercargill over Labour weekend.

There is Harbour representation in both the New Zealand Men’s and Women’s national teams with Harbour Breeze and Northern Kāhu player Azure Anderson in the 3x3 Tall Ferns squad while former Harbour reps Chris McIntosh and Denhym Brooke will feature for the 3x3 Tall Blacks.

Having been side-lined through illness last week as the Cairns Taipans went down to the Washington Wizards, Sam Waardenburg bounced back in style against the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Despite the Taipans losing 134-93 Sam finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds and a couple of blocks. Unfortunately Sam Mennenga missed both games due to injury and illness.

In another NBAxNBL clash 24 hours later Tom Abercrombie and Dan Fotu featured for the BNZ Breakers, that put together a spirited performance, winning the second quarter, before falling 114-94 to the Utah Jazz.

There were six Kiwis, three of them former Harbour standouts, on show as the Perth Wildcats entertained Melbourne United in the Australian NBL on Friday. Corey Webster scored 12 points and Tai Webster, back after injury, a couple as the Wildcats went down 88-81. Rob Loe had 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks for United (the other three Kiwis were Shea Ili for Melbourne, with Dontae Russo-Nance and Hyrum Harris in the red and black of Perth).

Both teams played double-headers over the weekend and again United had a win and Perth a defeat in games on Sunday. Rob tallied 8 points and 7 rebounds as Melbourne beat Brisbane Bullets 89-78 while Corey scored 8 and Tai 6 as the Wildcats lost 99-86 at defending champions Sydney Kings.

Further afield Isaac Fotu scored 17 points for Utsunomiya Brex as they improved to 3-1 in the Japanese League with a narrow 71-70 victory over Alvark Tokyo.

In Europe Brayden Inger had 15 points and 7 rebounds but Hemel Storm, the defending champions, dropped their English League Division 1 season opener at Loughborough 92-87.

Leeuwarden are still looking for their first win in the Dutch League. They have lost their opening four games although James Moors made a strong showing in the 76-69 loss to unbeaten BAL Weert. James scored 13 points (3/6FG, 4/5FT) and added 8 rebounds in the defeat. 

Kruz Perrott-Hunt is currently side-lined with a hand injury which has prevented him from making his debut for KK Borac in the Serbian League. Borac have begun the season with a pair of victories.