The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will feature 3-on-3 basketball, as the IOC believes the addition will give the games a more youthful and urban appeal.
The game will be played on a half-court with eight men’s and eight women’s teams. NBC Sports notes 3-on-3 basketball has been held at Youth Olympic programs in 2010 and 2014, and FIBA has held 3-on-3 World Championships over the past few years, too.
“Three-on-three basketball requires a different skill set,” FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann told the Associated Press. “It’s really a 10-minute sprint, no coach, so you need to make the right decisions.”
It’s unknown if NBA players will take part in the event, but traditional basketball isn’t going away from the games either.
Skateboard and sport climbing were also added to the 2020 games.
Fans will also be able to see 3-on-3 basketball later this summer as rapper/actor Ice Cube is starting the BIG3 – which features former NBA stars like Allen Iverson, Mike Bibby, and Jason Williams.
