Women’s 3XBA Tournament drives local youth to basketball

SPOKANE, Wash. – After 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medal-winner Cierra Burdick visited Spokane in March for the Women’s 3XBA basketball clinic, she left a real impact on the kids ready to play and learn the sport.

One did so much, that he wanted to come back to show that support in return.

“I made this sign homemade, and I wanted to make a sign because I heard that Cierra was going to be playing at Hoopfest, and she taught us basketball at the basketball clinic, so I wanted to support her at Hoopfest.”

Carston Graber and his brothers each made signs in support, something that meant the world to Burdick.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s huge. That’s why we come out here and play,” Burdick said. “The wins, the losses, that’s part of sport, that happens, but the ability you have to impact a younger generation for them to – I met them at the youth clinic back here in March. So, for them to come out and watch me play and bring the signs and support, that’s bigger than the basketball, that’s bigger than the sport.”

3XBA MVP Sydney Taylor agreed, the former Louisville Cardinals standout seeing how meaningful these fan interactions are.

“That’s so cool. They look up to us, I mean, I was in their shoes one day, I remember it. Just walking around and seeing college and professional players. If I was in their shoes, I would be so happy. But, we love their support, we love when they come up, take pictures, ask for autographs. Their support never goes unnoticed, for sure.”

Both athletes also spoke on the impact that tournaments like this have on women’s sports as a whole, and how this can positively affect the future of the game.

“I’ve never met someone who has watched 3×3 and not loved it,” Burdick said. “So, I don’t think it’s a matter of not loving it or not, it’s just a matter of not knowing about it. So, I think if we continue to just build the game, build the sport, get more eyeballs on it, I think people are really gonna fall in love with it at a fast pace.”

“We’re getting our name, our name’s coming out there, we’re rising up,” Taylor said. “I know a lot of other countries with three on three are a lot further ahead of us, but we’re making our way up there, and I’m excited, I’m excited.”