FIBA Shares Throwback Of Satou Sabally’s Standout Performance At 3×3 Olympic Qualifier
Basketball star's impressive skills showcased in nostalgic highlight reel from 2021 tournament.
Payal Karnik is a senior writer with a degree in Biotechnology from the University of Mumbai. With a passion for writing, Payal provides in-depth insights into her articles. Having worked as an editor for her college magazines, she has honed her skills in crafting engaging and informative content.
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The FIBA 3×3 World Cup recently took fans down memory lane by sharing a highlight reel of German basketball star Satou Sabally’s impressive performance at the 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) from 2021.
The official FIBA 3×3 Instagram account posted the video with the caption “THE UNICORN 🦄” followed by “Watch the best of Satou Sabally at the 3×3 OQT back in 2021.” The post showcases Sabally’s exceptional skills in the 3×3 format of basketball, where her versatility and talent were prominently displayed.
The highlight video captures Sabally’s standout moments during the tournament, demonstrating why she’s earned the nickname “The Unicorn” – a term often used in basketball to describe players with rare combinations of size, skill, and athleticism. Throughout the clips, Sabally exhibits her complete game, including scoring abilities, defensive prowess, and court vision that made her a force to be reckoned with in the 3×3 format.
The 2021 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament represented an important milestone in FIBA’s efforts to promote the shortened version of basketball, which made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games that year. Sabally’s participation helped raise the profile of the event, bringing her WNBA star power to the 3×3 format.
The FIBA 3×3 World Cup has grown significantly in popularity since its inception in 2012. According to information from the official Wikipedia page, the tournament features both men’s and women’s competitions and has become a prestigious event in its own right in the basketball calendar.
The 3×3 format differs from traditional basketball with its half-court setup, 10-minute games (or first to 21 points), and 12-second shot clock, creating a fast-paced, action-packed version of the sport. The shortened format has been embraced globally, with FIBA actively promoting 3×3 competitions at various levels.
FIBA 3×3 has been particularly active in promoting women’s competitions. In a recent post, the organization announced: “More 3×3 Women’s Series 2025 stops announced 👀,” highlighting their commitment to growing the women’s side of the sport. Another post revealed that “The 3×3 Women’s Series 2025 will start in Chengdu on May 2,” showing the continued expansion of the women’s competition across global venues.
The 3×3 format has also become a pathway for players to showcase their talents before moving to professional leagues. Several recent FIBA 3×3 posts celebrate players making the transition to the WNBA, including Sania Feagin who was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks after being named MVP at the 3×3 U23 World Cup in 2024.
The Olympic connection for 3×3 basketball continues to strengthen. FIBA recently announced that the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area will host 3×3 basketball competitions during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting: “Sepulveda Basin will bring the world’s best #3x3Basketball players to the heart of #LA28 Olympic Games.”
This growing Olympic presence further cements 3×3 basketball’s status as a major international sport, with players like Sabally helping to bridge the gap between traditional 5-on-5 basketball and the more accessible 3×3 format.
Since her appearance in the 2021 3×3 OQT, Sabally has continued to excel in her basketball career. Born in New York to a German mother and Gambian father, she has represented Germany internationally while establishing herself as one of the WNBA’s premier talents.
The throwback post by FIBA 3×3 not only celebrates Sabally’s individual brilliance but also highlights how star power has helped elevate the 3×3 format on the global stage. Other WNBA stars have also participated in 3×3 competitions, including Hailey Van Lith, who won the 3×3 World Cup in 2023 and earned a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics before being drafted by the Chicago Sky.
The growing connection between 3×3 basketball and professional leagues like the WNBA demonstrates how the shortened format can serve as both a complementary competition for established stars and a development pathway for emerging talent.
As 3×3 basketball continues to evolve and grow in popularity, posts like this throwback to Sabally’s performance serve as reminders of the format’s exciting history and the talented players who have helped shape its development. With the LA 2028 Olympics already in preparation for 3×3 competition, the future looks bright for this dynamic version of basketball.
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