Gangurrus create World Cup history

The Australian Gangurrus women’s team have created history at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Poland.

The Gangurrus, coached by 2001 NBL champion Damon Lowery, secured their first-ever silver medal after progressing to the tournament final on Sunday.

In the decider, Australia, featuring 2024 Olympians Amy Atwell and Marena Whittle, newly signed Townsville Fire wing Emma Clarke and incoming Southside Melbourne Flyers forward Hannah Hank, were pitted against the United States, who edged the Gangurrus in the pool stages.

The US started stronger in the final, racing out to a 4-0 lead, which became 8-3 when Milaysia Fulwiley converted a one-point shot.

Despite tough baskets from Atwell and Whittle, a Joyce Edwards shot extended the Americans’ lead to six midway through the encounter.

But in the space of 1.33 minutes of game time, the Gangurrus went on a 7-2 run to tie the game up at 17-all, powered by five straight points from Whittle.

Australia actually got their noses in front (20-19) with 50 seconds remaining, but a two-point shot from Mikaylah Williams, with 28 seconds remaining, secured the US the gold and resulted in a heartbreaking defeat for Lowery’s side.

This silver medal eclipses the squad’s previous bronze at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Vienna.

“I’m so proud of the girls, to come here and walk away with a medal is a phenomenal job and obviously means a lot,” Clarke said post-game.

“To come in ranked 16th [in the world], so to achieve what we did, we’re forever grateful.

“In the US game, we were obviously so close. They’ve been great all tournament and put up a good game in the final.

“They were just one better today, but we’re going to remember [and learn from] this one for sure.”

Atwell was rewarded for her strong play by being named in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament, alongside the United States’ Mikaylah Williams (MVP) and the Netherlands’ Noortje Driessen.

Lowery’s side reached the maiden final by defeating the number one ranked Netherlands (who knocked out the Gangurrus in the corresponding fixture at the 2023 World Cup) 16-14 in the semi-final.

Australia’s men’s side, containing new Perth Wildcat Alex Higgins-Titsha, former Cairns Taipans Lachlan Barker and Jonah Antonio, and NBL24 champion Jarred Bairstow, coached by Adam Forde, did not qualify for the finals.