The foundation of the qualification pathway to the USA 3x3 U18 National Championships is built on official national qualifiers, hosted by 3x3 operators from around the country. By winning official national qualifiers, teams may earn bids to the nationals.

USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championships Official National Qualifiers

USA Basketball is committed to working inclusively with event operators by recognizing 3x3 events nationwide which agree to abide by USA Basketball and FIBA event standards and requirements.

The official national qualifiers provide a pathway for teams to qualify to the USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championships. Interested in adding your 3x3 event as an official national qualifier? Learn more about the application process and USA Basketball and FIBA event standards and requirements below. Once events have been approved and are officially stamped as national qualifiers, they will be listed here.

If you have any questions regarding the national qualifiers, please contact 3x3@usabasketball.com

Qualification to the USA 3x3 U18 Nationals is primarily achieved by competing in local 3x3 tournaments. Operators must agree to abide by the USA Basketball and FIBA event standards and requirements.

USA Basketball Requirements

To be eligible to host an official qualifier,

• The operator/host organization must have operated at least one 3x3 tournament within the past two years. In addition, the tournament must have been operated using the FIBA Event Maker and must have been validated by FIBA.
• The operator must hold a current USA Basketball Coach License

Gameplay Rules and Requirements

Qualifiers MUST make the best effort to operate games using the following official FIBA 3x3 rules:

• 10-minute game clock or first team to score 21 points
• 12-second shot clock
• Continuous play, no check ball
• Game is scored by 2s and 1s

FIBA Event Maker Requirements

Qualifiers MUST comply with all FIBA Event Maker requirements, which includes:

• Create the event on Event Maker prior to the scheduled event date
• Allow teams to register for the event
• Ensure all competing athletes have a confirmed 3x3 profile and are correctly tied to the event
• After conclusion of the event, enter results and validate the event

For a full explainer on how to use the FIBA Event Maker, click HERE.

Application process and approval process

After reviewing the event standards and requirements above, if you are interested in applying to host a local qualifier leading to the USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championships, please refer to the below process:

Step 1: Complete the USA Basketball 3x3 Local Qualifier Interest Form (email 3x3@usabasketball.com for more info)

Step 2: All interest forms are reviewed by USA Basketball

Step 3: Based on available hosting opportunities, USA Basketball may contact the listed operator to schedule an event overview call

• The operator will provide an overview of the event, including: potential dates, location, divisions of play, registration process, goals, etc.
• USA Basketball will provide an in-depth overview of USA Basketball and FIBA standards and requirements.

Step 4: As a follow up to the event overview call, proposed local qualifiers will either be approved or wait listed. If approved, the following will ensue:

• Operators will be required to complete the USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Qualifier application, where they will provide final event details.
• Operators will also be required to pay a placeholder fee of $250 per approved division. The invoice will be paid online. The placeholder fee is 100% refundable, but only after the event/division representative competes in the USA 3x3 U18 National Championship.

Step 5: Once the operator has completed the 3x3 U18 national qualifier application and paid the invoice, the event is formally recognized as a national qualifier and is placed on the USA Basketball website.

Step 6: Leading up to and during the event, operators must be sure to comply with all FIBA Event Maker requirements, as well as USA Basketball and FIBA gameplay requirements.

Step 7: Within 48 hours of the event’s conclusion, operators are required to enter all results into the FIBA Event Maker and validate the event. The USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship bid is contingent on FIBA validating the event, free of any downgrades. If the event is not properly validated or if it is downgraded for any reason, the event is at risk of losing its 3x3 U18 national qualifier status (including the placeholder fee) and therefore will not be eligible to qualify a team or teams to the USA 3x3 U18 National Championships.

To avoid the potential issues listed above, operators should ensure:

• All participating players have confirmed 3x3 player profiles
• Each team has at least three confirmed player profiles connected to the team profile
• Players are only connected to one team within the event
• Results are entered for each game
• Results are properly entered with the score, not W and L (to notate win and loss)

Step 8: Once the validation process is complete, USA Basketball will contact the operator and request the following information:

• Written event recap
• Qualified team(s) contact information

For any questions related to the above process or FIBA’s event validation process, please email 3x3@usabasketball.com