Having successfully stolen the show in its Olympic debut in Tokyo, the half-court form of basketball is ready to create more history at next year's Commonwealth Games.
And 3x3's debut in Birmingham - from July 29-August 2 - is a golden opportunity to showcase this fast and furious game to a new audience, with the all-action sport central to Basketball England's #GameTime campaign.
The competition format will mirror Tokyo, where eight teams in both men's and women's categories had gold in their sights.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand will be among the favourites, with hosts England determined to be among the medals.
Fourteen men's and women's teams have qualified with the remaining two spots - one male male and one female - to be determined at the Home Nations Qualification Tournament where Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will face off.
Host
England
Regional Qualification
Kenya (Africa)
Canada (Americas)
Sri Lanka (Asia)
Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales (Europe - a Home Nations Qualifier)
Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean)
New Zealand (Oceania)
Direct Qualification
Australia
Host
England
Regional Qualification
Kenya (Africa)
Canada (Americas)
Sri Lanka (Asia)
Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales (Europe - a Home Nations Qualifier)
St Lucia (Caribbean)
New Zealand (Oceania)
Direct Qualification
Australia
.
England - led by Head Coach Julius Joseph - qualify as hosts and will fancy their chances of a podium finish in front of their home fans.
A Great Britain made up of Team England players was a surprise package at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2021 qualifier in Romania, where the 12th seed finished fifth, highlighted by a stunning 18-9 upset over 4th seed Hungary.
The hosts might even dare to dream of gold though world 3x3 powers Australia and Canada loom as favourites given their experience, depth of talent and success on the big stage.
Australia, who directly qualified, are the reigning two-time FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup champions while Canada is a famous 3x3 nation having produced so many stars who have shone on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
Canada missed out on a medal at the recent FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2021 in Miami and will be eager to prove they are the best in the Commonwealth.
It's a loaded field with New Zealand, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago also experienced campaigners in major events.
The women's draw will be fierce with host England who, playing as GB, took to senior 3x3 competition impressively earlier this year with a dazzling qualifying run at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Qualifier 2021 in Romania. Superstar Temi Fagbenle shone, alongside Shanice Beckford-Norton, Chantelle Handy, Shequila Jospeh and Cheridene Green for Head Coach Stef Collins' team as they reached the Finals in Paris.
It won't be easy because 3x3 powers Canada and Australia are two of the best in the business. Blessed with some of 3x3 women's biggest names – few better than the brilliant Plouffe sisters – Canada has been one of the trendsetters of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series.
They also won bronze at the AmeriCup in Miami to continue to fill their trophy cabinet.
Australia, too, have had much success and are the reigning Asia Cup champions. Since the pandemic, they haven't played much together and narrowly missed out on an Olympic berth.
But the team from Down Under always bring it on the big stage with stars such as Bec Cole and Maddie Garrick long-time 3x3 fan favourites.
It won't just be a three-horse race with New Zealand having proven their credentials and are often a thorn to rivals Australia as was the case during their memorable FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2018 title run.
We're going to engage 1 million people in basketball using the Commonwealth Games 2022, 3x3, #ProjectSwish and more.
Regardless of age, gender or background, across every part of the basketball community.... It's #GameTime!
