Fresh off their first national training camp of the year in Cairns, the Gangurrus are set for their first international hit-out of 2026 when the men’s and women’s teams travel to Bangkok, Thailand for the FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup from March 13–15.
Now in its second year, the Champions Cup has quickly established itself as one of the premier events on the international 3x3 calendar, bringing together continental champions, Olympic medallists and the world’s top-ranked nations. The Gangurrus return following a strong debut campaign in 2025, where both teams secured podium finishes.
Both Gangurrus teams reflect a blend of experience and new energy as the squad continue to evolve on the international stage.
Marena Whittle returns as a program mainstay for the women, joined by 3x3 debutants Kristy Wallace, while Emma Clarke and Lara McSpadden earn a return to the national lineup. Lauren Nicholson and Lou Brown have been named as emergency substitutions.
For the men, Samuel McDaniel and Donovan Mitchell are set for their Gangurrus debuts, with Mitchell’s availability dependent on South East Melbourne Phoenix’s progression in the NBL26 Finals. Lachlan Barker and Dillon Stith return to the international stage following previous campaigns, while Alex Higgins-Titsha and Jonah Antonio have been named as emergency substitutions.
There is plenty at stake in Bangkok this year, with the tournament winners securing direct qualification to the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2027, the 2027 Champions Cup and the Cups-based Olympic Qualification Tournament as the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games begins to take shape.
The Gangurrus enter the competition with strong momentum after continued success across recent international campaigns, including Asia Cup titles for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The men have been drawn into Pool B alongside the United States, Netherlands and Madagascar, while the women will face the Netherlands, United States and Madagascar in Pool A. Defending champions Serbia (men) and Canada (women) headline a deep international field that also includes Spain, Lithuania, Azerbaijan and host nation Thailand.
All games will be streamed via FIBA3X3 YouTube.
