By: Mahamood Fofana
Freetown came alive over the weekend as Jabz Hoopers emerged champions of the second edition of the 3×3 Hoop Basketball Gala, a high-energy tournament that brought together some of Sierra Leone’s most talented streetball players. The grand finale, held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the historic Victoria Park, showcased raw skill, fierce competition, and the rising passion for basketball within the local sports scene.
The tournament, which featured 20 competing teams, delivered an electrifying atmosphere from start to finish. Each team displayed remarkable pace, agility, and teamwork — key ingredients of the fast-paced 3×3 basketball format that has gained immense global popularity since its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Organizers structured the event to maintain excitement and fair play, beginning with a knockout stage that trimmed the teams down to the top ten, who advanced into a round-robin phase. From there, the best four teams battled for a spot in the finals, delivering breathtaking plays and intense defensive displays that kept the crowd on its feet.
After several rounds of back-to-back games filled with energy and determination, Jabz Hoopers and Iso emerged as the last two contenders standing. The final showdown proved to be the highlight of the tournament — a display of pure athleticism and basketball intelligence. Jabz Hoopers combined flawless ball movement, precise shooting, and confident defense to overpower Iso with a 15–11 victory, clinching the championship title and a cash prize of $1,000.
Iso, who showed great resilience throughout the tournament, walked away as runners-up with a $500 consolation prize.
Tournament Director Jamal Amin Hudgroge described the event as a milestone for Sierra Leonean basketball, emphasizing its importance in reviving the sport after a long rainy-season break. “This tournament is about keeping basketball alive and giving young players the platform to showcase their potential,” he said. “The 3×3 format is easy to organize, attracts global recognition, and plays at a much faster and more exciting pace. It’s the perfect way to re-energize our local players.”
Hudgroge further noted that the event’s success demonstrates the growing enthusiasm for basketball in Sierra Leone and the determination of youth to elevate the game to international standards. He praised the participating teams for their sportsmanship and urged corporate partners to support future tournaments that will nurture grassroots talent.
Spectators described the event as one of the most exciting local sporting experiences in recent memory, combining competition, entertainment, and community engagement. Fans thronged Victoria Park, cheering passionately as teams battled under the floodlights in what many called “the rebirth of street basketball in Freetown.”
With Jabz Hoopers lifting the 2025 3×3 Hoop Basketball title, the tournament’s success has reignited hope for the future of basketball in Sierra Leone — signaling that the sport’s rhythm, passion, and energy are very much alive.
