The Gangurrus are headed to Bangkok, Thailand this week for the FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup from March 13–15, marking the men’s and women’s teams’ first international hit-out of 2026 following their national training camp in Cairns.
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 to the Champions Cup after both the men’s and women’s teams claimed bronze at last year’s inaugural event.
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.
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 is set to make his Gangurrus debut, while Alex Higgins-Titsha replaces Donovan Mitchell, who is unavailable following the South East Melbourne Phoenix’s progression in the NBL Finals. Lachlan Barker and Dillon Stith return to the international stage following previous campaigns. Jonah Antonio remains an emergency substitution.
The women have been drawn into Pool A and the men into Pool B, with both teams facing the same opponents in the pool stage — the United States, Netherlands and Madagascar.
Women's Team
Marena Whittle
Kristy Wallace
Lara McSpadden
Emma Clarke
Men's Team
Dillon Stith
Alex Higgins-Titsha
Sam McDaniel
Lachlan Barker
Coaches
Damon Lowery (Women)
Adam Forde (Men)
Women's Schedule
Australia vs Netherlands | 14 March | 12:55am AEDT
Australia vs Madagascar | 14 March 10:05pm AEDT
Australia vs USA | 15 March | 12:30am AEDT
Men's Schedule
Australia vs Madagascar | 13 March | 10:05pm AEDT
Australia vs Netherlands | 14 March | 12:05pm AEDT
Australia vs USA | 15 March | 1:20am AEDT
Venue
CentralWorld Square, Bangkok, Thailand.
Broadcast
All games will be streamed via FIBA3X3 YouTube.
