Kevin Loiselle was on the team that won last year’s 3X3 Canada Quest Series. When McGill student James Naismith invented basketball, it’s unlikely he thought it would evolve into this — 10-minute games, four-player teams, and three-point shots that actually count as two. Those are the rules of the three-on-three form of basketball coming to Montreal next week.
“They need to be really quick, fast in their thinking and in shape, because it’s a lot of cardio,” said Joannie Charbonneau, of Basketball Montreal. The “slimmer” form of basketball to be played in the 3X3 Canada Quest Series has different rules from traditional basketball.
A shot outside the three-point arc is worth two points, for instance, whereas a layup is only worth one.
Games also last only 10 minutes and there are four players per team. Also adding to the intrigue of the event — three-on-three basketball will debut at the 2020 Olympic Games as an event.
“It’s going to be a very physical, entertaining game,” said Dawson College standout Loiselle. The tournament is slated to take place June 9 and 10 at Complexe Desjardins.