COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 7, 2023) - Colorado Springs played host to 2023 USA Basketball 3X Nationals over the weekend, with Showtime and Creighton University emerging as the respective men's and women's champions Sunday afternoon. The event featured more than two dozen teams, including 15 women's collegiate programs and 12 men's entries. With the win, Showtime earned a bid to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Edmonton Masters (July 28-29), while the USA Basketball 3x3 selection committees evaluated all athletes for opportunities to play on USA Basketball 3x3 national teams.
Women’s Tournament Wrap-up
The first semifinal between Creighton and Villanova was action-packed with impressive shot making from both sides. Creighton took the win behind hot shooting from Morgan Maly and Lauren Jensen, who scored 10 points each. The second semifinal featured Duke and Oklahoma. Neither team led by more than two points, and as the score was stuck at 20-19 with less than three minutes to play, Duke scored the game-winning basket on an impressive putback layup by Reigan Richardson with 36 seconds remaining to clinch the game.
The championship between Duke and Creighton got off to a hot start, with both teams shooting the ball well. Duke hit with a balanced attack and got production from each player, while Creighton's Emma Ronsiek and Maly scored 10 of the team’s first 11 points. Creighton would outlast Duke to capture the title by a final tally of 21-17. Maly stayed hot throughout the game as she finished with 10 points en route to a Women’s Tournament MVP award coupled with the championship.
Men’s Tournament Wrap-up
Team Miami cruised to the championship game with a 21-12 semifinal win over Run N Gun, led by Canyon Barry with seven points. The second semifinal game between Worldwide and Showtime was highly competitive. Showtime took a 19-15 lead with 2:30 left before Worldwide cut the lead down to one. Keaton Wallace sealed the comeback with the game-clinching floater to put Showtime in the championship round.
The championship game between Miami and Showtime started quickly with early scoring by Miami's Jimmer Fredette and Showtime's Charlie Brown Jr. Showtime took a four-point advantage going into the first media timeout. From there, Showtime kept its foot on the gas, expanding the lead and winning 21-15. Brown Jr. led the way scoring eight points and the championship-clinching layup for Showtime. Fredette led all scorers with 11 points in the loss for Miami.
Brown Jr. was named Men’s Tournament MVP for his outstanding performance throughout the weekend.
The three-day tournament, which kicked off Friday afternoon with men's pool play, featured stellar performances in both brackets. To read more about the weekend's top moments and view the results, click here.