Looking to build the up and coming generation of local high performance ballers The Taylor Hawks are taking some of the best young talent the Bay has to Invercargill, for the third year participating in Basketball New Zealand’s (BBNZ) 3X3 Cup. Starting October 25, the tournament runs over four days, with the first three being a round-robin, culminating in finals on Saturday.
The 3×3 format is an ideal space to look to build skill and depth for the Hawks, with a number of participating franchises signaling the tournament to feature key development talent with a number of NBL key players currently playing off-shore or unavailable. This plays into the Hawks new strategy well. This exciting young Hawks team features two high schoolers, Jackson Ball from Napier Boys High School and Zoran Smiler from Hastings Boys High School. These two talented young men lead the charge of the next generation of Hawke’s Bay ballers. Smiler, a crafty guard that can get to his spots on the floor to finish or create opportunities for others will thrive in the 3×3 format with the extra space it provides. Ball is a flat out scorer that can get it done in all three ways. The team is captained by ex Napier Boys star Kobe Kara, now a young vet that brings size and strength to the team. Kara’s ability to defend and play multiple positions will be a pivotal part of the Hawks Success at the 3X3 Cup. Rounding out the Hawks team is Jarrod Kenny. Kenny returns to the 3X3 cup for his second season, providing stability for the Hawks; being able to guide the younger players.
The tournament will bring together 24 top men’s and women’s teams with players taking part in 178 games, creating a highly competitive environment that promises exciting matchups across the event. Every game of the 2023 3×3 Cup will be broadcast live on Sky Sport,as an initiative by Basketball New Zealand to promote and elevate the presence of 3×3 basketball in the country.
Denhym Brooke, a member of the Taylor Hawks team this season, will be representing New Zealand at the event, playing in an 8 game Trans-Tasman series against Australia.