At a new venue and with expanded reach to its audience, the second staging of the Marland Nattie Legends 3×3 Basketball Tournament will take place today, with increased prize money in several categories.
The University of Technology (UTech), with courts in its auditorium and a couple others outside, is favoured by teams lining up for action in the one-day extravaganza that is set to begin at 9 a.m.
An official opening ceremony at 5 p.m. will precede the playoffs.
“What we’re doing different from last year is we’re going to do it live, upload the scores and the games as it (tournament) progresses, on the FIBA platform. We’ll have live stream so people can tune in and watch the action,” shared Oberon Pitterson Nattie, widow of Marland and chairperson of the Marland Nattie Oberon Pitterson (MNOP) Foundation, which stages the tournament.
The competition was conceptualised at the passing, months apart, of Marland Nattie and Elfraito ‘Alf’ Remekie, who were heavily involved with the Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA) and dedicated their lives to the local game.
Commenting on the legacy aspect, Pitterson Nattie said: “This has always been the vision of Marland Nattie, trying to create a platform for the players to showcase their skills and to eventually get opportunities, all the opportunities that are there in basketball, whether it’s getting a scholarship, getting a job, or helping their community.
“It is something that he envisioned and we’re just here to ensure that it comes to reality,” added Pitterson Nattie, a former top notch Sunshine Girl – at player and coach levels – as well as national basketball player.
Under-19 Men, Open Female and Open Male are the competing categories. Forty teams participated at the initial staging, with Manchester’s Rebels (U19), Sim’s Angels (Open Female) and Team Nattie crowned champions.
On the eve of the tournament, 10 teams had registered, as is required through the website of the sport’s world governing body – International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Pitterson Nattie says the tally is not frightening.
“Of course, we’re not daunted by the numbers, as we know, as Jamaicans, we wait until the last minute and we know a lot of teams have been making preparation,” she stated. “Tomorrow (today) morning, registration starts at eight and we’re looking forward to see the teams coming out.”
This time their playground is different and Kiesha Lindsay, secretary of the MNOP, says it brings greater appeal.
COOL AUDITORIUM
“Based on the venue that we’re now using, persons are readily available to be there because last year we had challenges with the sun,” she related. “This time, because we’re using the UTech Auditorium, as well as the outer basketball courts, when a team is not playing on the outdoor courts they can come inside and cool down because UTech now has a cooling system inside the auditorium.”
Further, Lindsay says FIBA’s backing and sponsorship bring advantages.
“Because it is a FIBA-endorsed event, players gain points for each tournament they enter,” she said. “And not just players, but also the Jamaica Basketball Association, they earn points which put them further on the charts where 3×3 basketball is concerned.”
Those rankings could equate to Jamaica not having to qualify for certain 3×3 international competitions by playing pool tournaments.
For individuals, Rohan Robinson, the national assistant coach and coordinator of the event, explained: “There are professional 3-on-3 leagues. Teams could go on the FIBA website and look up a player to see their experience, where they have played, how many rankings points they have tallied and so forth to get a gauge on their level.
“So it’s a two-way benefit … national and individual,” added the former national basketballer.
Along with FIBA, other tournament backers include main sponsor the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation, KFC, McLeod Customs Brokers and Powerade.
“We’ve General Accident actually giving prize money that has increased from $10,000 last year, to $20,000 this year for the Senior Men’s MVP,” Lindsay informed. “Let’s hope that helps to sweeten the pot for most of these players.”
The Open Women’s champions are also guaranteed more money, $45,000 this outing, $5,000 more than the 2024 taking, plus the Simone Edwards OD/Simone Jackson Trophy. The losing finalists will pocket $25,000, with the MVP cash award at $5,000.
Men’s Open champions will receive the Marland Nattie Trophy and $60,000, with $40,000 to the runners-up.
The champion U19 team will earn the Mr Riley Trophy.
“There’s no increase in our U19 division,” Lindsay said. “Their cash prize still stands at $30,000 for the champions, $12,000 for second place and their MVP is $5,000.”
