4
Jun
FIBA World Cup
3x3 Gangurrus bounced after losing four straight
Australia's Jonah Antonio and the Australia Gangurrus must defeat Madagascar and Serbia in its final two Pool A games to keep its knockout-stage hopes alive. Photo: Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas via Getty Images.
Australia finished 0-4 in 3x3 Pool A as Jonah Antonio led the Gangurrus' scoring in Warsaw
- Alex Condon, Tyrese Proctor, Taran Armstrong are in Boomers team
- 'Built Forde tough': Adam driving 3x3 team to LA28
- NBL27 Roster Tracker: Big moves headline free agency
Game 4: Serbia 20 def. Australia 16 – FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026
Australia finished its FIBA 3x3 World Cup campaign winless after falling 20-16 to Serbia in its final Pool A game in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Despite a competitive performance against one of the tournament favourites, the Gangurrus were unable to overcome Serbia's efficiency around the basket, ending the tournament with an 0-4 record.
Game Snapshot
- Serbia shot an exceptional 20-from-33 overall (61%).
- Australia shot 12-from-28 overall (43%).
- Serbia won the rebounding battle 18-10.
- Serbia scored all 20 points from one-point field goals.
- Australia was limited to 2-from-13 from two-point range.
Higgins-Titsha leads Australia
Alex Higgins-Titsha produced Australia's best all-round performance of the tournament, finishing with seven points, four rebounds and two dunks.
He shot 4-from-7 from the field and converted both free-throw attempts while providing Australia with energy at both ends of the floor.
Jonah Antonio added five points, while Jarred Bairstow contributed two points and four rebounds. Lachlan Barker also scored two points and handed out two assists.
Serbia's experience shines through
Serbia's attack was built on efficiency rather than perimeter shooting.
Nenad Nerandžić and Nemanja Barać each scored eight points, combining to shoot 16-from-19 on one-point attempts.
Strahinja Stojacic, one of the biggest names in international 3x3 basketball, finished with three points, five rebounds and a game-high seven key assists as Serbia repeatedly created high-percentage scoring opportunities.
The Serbians did not make a single two-pointer but shot an extraordinary 20-from-21 inside the arc.
By the Numbers
Australia
- Alex Higgins-Titsha – 7 points, 4 rebounds
- Jonah Antonio – 5 points
- Jarred Bairstow – 2 points, 4 rebounds
- Lachlan Barker – 2 points, 2 assists
- Team shooting – 12-from-28 FG (43%)
- Rebounds – 10
Serbia
- Nenad Nerandžić – 8 points, 2 rebounds
- Nemanja Barać – 8 points, 6 rebounds
- Strahinja Stojacic – 3 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists
- Team shooting – 20-from-33 FG (61%)
- Rebounds – 18
Game 3: Madagascar 22 def. Australia 17 – FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026
The Gangurrus entered the contest needing a win to keep their campaign alive but were unable to contain Madagascar's balanced attack, falling to 0-3 in the tournament.
Game Snapshot
- Madagascar shot 17-from-28 overall (61%).
- Australia shot 12-from-24 overall (50%).
- Madagascar won the rebounding battle 17-6.
- Australia made four two-pointers but generated just six total rebounds.
- Madagascar had four players score at least four points.
Antonio continues strong tournament
Jonah Antonio again led Australia offensively, finishing with seven points, three rebounds and a block.
The sharpshooter connected on three of seven two-point attempts and accounted for more than 40% of Australia's scoring.
Jarred Bairstow added four points and two rebounds, while Alex Higgins-Titsha and Lachlan Barker scored three points each.
Madagascar controls the glass
The game's defining statistic was rebounding.
Madagascar dominated 17-6 on the boards, including six offensive rebounds, creating a steady stream of extra possessions and limiting Australia's opportunities in transition.
Anthony Rasolomanana was perfect from the field, scoring five points on 5-from-5 shooting while collecting five rebounds.
Elly Randriamampionona led all scorers with eight points, while Marco Rakotovao and Alpha Solondrainy added five and four points respectively.
By the Numbers
Australia
- Jonah Antonio – 7 points, 3 rebounds
- Jarred Bairstow – 4 points, 2 rebounds
- Alex Higgins-Titsha – 3 points
- Lachlan Barker – 3 points
- Team shooting – 12-from-24 FG (50%)
- Rebounds – 6
Madagascar
- Elly Randriamampionona – 8 points, 4 rebounds
- Anthony Rasolomanana – 5 points, 5 rebounds
- Marco Rakotovao – 5 points, 2 rebounds
- Alpha Solondrainy – 4 points, 3 rebounds
- Team shooting – 17-from-28 FG (61%)
- Rebounds – 17
Game 2: Austria 21 def. Australia 14 – FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026
Australia dropped to 0-2 at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup after Austria used its physicality, rebounding and disciplined offence to claim a 21-14 victory in Pool A on the opening day of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Warsaw.
After struggling offensively against Spain earlier in the day, the Gangurrus found more success from long range against Austria but could not contain Austria's balanced attack or overcome an early foul disadvantage.
Game Snapshot
- Australia shot 11-from-22 overall (50%), including 3-from-12 from two-point range.
- Austria shot 16-from-28 overall (57%).
- Austria won the rebounding battle 16-9.
- Australia committed eight team fouls and reached the penalty with more than four minutes remaining.
- Austria had four players score at least four points.
Jonah Antonio provides the spark
After a quiet opening game against Spain, Jonah Antonio delivered Australia's best offensive performance of the tournament so far.
Antonio finished with seven points and three rebounds, connecting on three of his nine two-point attempts while accounting for half of Australia's scoring output.
His perimeter shooting helped keep Australia within reach, but Austria repeatedly answered through efficient scoring inside the arc and second-chance opportunities.
Austria's balanced attack proves decisive
Austria had no player score more than seven points but received contributions across its entire lineup.
Toni Blazan led the way with seven points and five rebounds, shooting 5-from-11 overall.
Quincy Diggs added five points and a game-high six rebounds, while Nico Kaltenbrunner scored five points and Fabio Söhnel contributed four points on a perfect 4-from-4 shooting performance.
Austria's ability to generate extra possessions was critical, collecting seven offensive rebounds compared with Australia's two.
Foul trouble hurts Australia
One of the game's biggest turning points came through team fouls.
Australia accumulated eight fouls and entered the penalty with 4:11 remaining, giving Austria additional opportunities to score from the free-throw line.
Austria converted two free throws while Australia never attempted a foul shot outside of regular play and finished without a single bonus free throw.
By the Numbers
Australia
- Jonah Antonio – 7 points, 3 rebounds
- Alex Higgins-Titsha – 3 points, 3 rebounds
- Lachlan Barker – 3 points, 2 assists
- Team shooting – 11-from-22 FG (50%)
- Rebounds – 9
- Team fouls – 8
Austria
- Toni Blazan – 7 points, 5 rebounds
- Quincy Diggs – 5 points, 6 rebounds
- Nico Kaltenbrunner – 5 points
- Fabio Söhnel – 4 points, 3 rebounds
- Rebounds – 16
- Offensive rebounds – 7
What it means
Australia showed improvement offensively after its opening loss to Spain, shooting 50% from the field and receiving a strong scoring contribution from Antonio. However, Austria's rebounding dominance, depth of scoring and ability to stay out of foul trouble proved decisive.
Across their first two games, the Gangurrus have been outrebounded 34-20 and have allowed opponents to shoot better than 55% from the field. Improving defensive rebounding and generating more high-value two-point opportunities will be key as Australia looks to keep its World Cup campaign alive.
Game 1: Spain 21 def. Australia 12 – FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026
Spain opened its FIBA 3x3 World Cup campaign with a commanding 21-12 win against Australia in Pool A on Monday, June 1, 2026, using its size, efficiency and interior scoring to control the contest from start to finish.
Game Snapshot
- Spain shot an outstanding 18-from-30 overall (60%), including 3-from-7 from two-point range.
- Australia struggled to generate efficient offence, shooting 9-from-29 overall (31%).
- Spain won the rebounding battle 18-11.
- Australia was limited to just two made two-pointers from 15 attempts.
- Spain scored 15 of its 21 points inside the arc.
Iván Aurrecoechea dominates inside
Spanish big man Iván Aurrecoechea was the difference, finishing with 11 points and seven rebounds while shooting 10-from-11 from the field.
The 2.04m interior presence repeatedly established deep position around the basket, converting nine of his 10 one-point attempts and adding a two-pointer. He also grabbed six defensive rebounds as Spain consistently ended Australian possessions with a single shot.
Carlos Martinez provided valuable support with seven points, three rebounds and a block, hitting 2-from-4 from long range.
Australia can't find offensive rhythm
Australia struggled to stretch Spain's defence and finished with just 12 points from 29 field-goal attempts.
Lachlan Barker led the Gangurrus with four points, while Jonah Antonio and Jarred Bairstow added three points each.
Antonio's shooting line reflected Australia's difficulties from distance. He made one of seven two-point attempts, while Barker connected on one of five. As a team, Australia shot just 2-from-15 from beyond the arc.
Alex Higgins-Titsha contributed two points, three rebounds and two dunks, while Bairstow added four rebounds and two assists.
By the Numbers
Spain
- Iván Aurrecoechea – 11 points, 7 rebounds, 10-from-11 FG
- Carlos Martinez – 7 points, 3 rebounds
- Team shooting – 18-from-30 FG (60%)
- Rebounds – 18
Australia
- Lachlan Barker – 4 points
- Jonah Antonio – 3 points
- Jarred Bairstow – 3 points, 4 rebounds
- Team shooting – 9-from-29 FG (31%)
- Two-point shooting – 2-from-15 (13%)
June 3, 2026 – FIBA 3x3 World Cup (Pool A)
- 🇦🇺 Australia vs Madagascar – 5:55PM
- 🇦🇺 Australia vs Serbia – 7:45PM
FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 Format
The FIBA 3x3 World Cup features 20 men's teams and 20 women's teams, split into four pools of five teams.
Pool Phase
Each team plays the other four teams in its pool once.
For Australia (Pool A), the opponents are:
- Spain
- Austria
- Madagascar
- Serbia
Pool standings are determined by:
- Wins
- Head-to-head result
- Average points scored (if required)
Qualification to Knockout Stage
After the pool phase:
- 1st place in each pool advances directly to the Quarter-Finals
- 2nd and 3rd place advance to the Play-In Round
- 4th and 5th place are eliminated
Knockout Bracket
Play-In Round
- A2 vs D3
- B2 vs C3
- C2 vs B3
- D2 vs A3
Quarter-Finals
- Pool winners join the four Play-In winners
Semi-Finals
- Quarter-final winners advance
Medal Games
- Semi-final winners play for Gold
- Semi-final losers play for Bronze
Game Format
- 10-minute game clock
- First team to 21 points wins immediately
- If tied after 10 minutes, first team to score two points in overtime wins
- Shots inside the arc = 1 point
- Shots outside the arc = 2 points
- Free throws = 1 point
Australia's Position
Australia's remaining games:
- 🇦🇺 Australia vs Madagascar – June 3
- 🇦🇺 Australia vs Serbia – June 3
To reach the knockout stage, the Gangurrus almost certainly need:
- A win against Madagascar
- A win against Serbia
A 2-2 record would likely put Australia in contention for second or third place and a Play-In berth, depending on other Pool A results. A 1-3 finish would require significant help from other results and points tiebreakers.
.jpg)
