Abbotsford’s Marek Klassen returned home with some extra hardware after helping to lead Canada to its first-ever podium finish at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup.
The event ran from Dec. 13 to 15 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Canada captured the bronze with a 21-16 win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday (Dec. 15). Klassen scored three points, grabbed six rebounds and recorded four key assists in the win.
Canada had never finished higher than seventh at the event, which began in 2021.
The Canadians opened with a 19-14 win over Jamaica and then beat Argentina 21-11. Both of those games occurred on Dec. 13. Canada then took down Mexico 21-14 in the quarter-final round, but then lost 19-17 in overtime to Puerto Rico in the semifinal. They bounced back with the bronze medal win. All the playoff games occurred on Sunday.
Klassen’s highest scoring game was the three point effort in the bronze game, but he also recorded seven rebounds against Jamaica and four key assists against Puerto Rico. The United States took gold in the tournament. Canada went on to win gold in the women’s side after a 19-18 overtime win over the United States in the gold medal game on Sunday. For full results from the event, fiba3x3.com/2024/americup/games.
Games are played with half court rules and using one hoop. Game’s are 10 minutes long or end when a team reaches 21 points. The shot clock is 12 seconds and field goals are worth either one or two points.
As for Klassen, he recently told The News that he is fielding free agent offers from professional teams in Europe and the G League’s South Bay Lakers. The Yale Secondary grad is expected to make a decision on where he plays in the coming weeks.