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- Recap: Neom Challenger
Hey half-court hoop fans,
Welcome to the latest edition of The Drive, your inside pass to the world of 3×3, where we bring you behind-the-scenes access, game updates, and all the latest news straight from the court. Let’s dive right into the action!
Neom Challenger: The Desert Journey
After 36 hours of memorable sightseeing with Dennis and Lynette, the second phase of our journey kicked off. The trek to Neom, Saudi Arabia, took us on a wild ride:
Fly: Taipei to Dubai - 10 hours
Layover: Dubai - 10 hours
Fly: Dubai to Tubak - 3.5 hours
Drive: Tubak to Neom - 3 hours
P.S. In case Delta is listening, we're open to negotiating an airline sponsorship.
The 27-hour travel marathon brought us to the Neom Challenger, part of the larger Neom Beach Games. You can imagine the importance of enjoying each other's company in 3x3. A ton of time is spent together during these long trips, fostering invaluable team bonding.
Neom is an urban area planned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, though it's not yet built. The Beach Games played out in a village constructed in the desert, complete with what can only be described as a small Olympic village attached.
The Villas that we stayed in for the event - In the background you can also see the “relaxation tent” - for athletes to hang out.
Roster Shake-Up and Desert Showdown
Due to work commitments, Jerome Desrosiers, Isaiah Wilkerson, and King McClure were unavailable for this event. Princeton faced a choice: play with three in the desert or use their last transfer to replace one of the absentees for the rest of the season. The decision was made, and just like MJ with the Washington Wizards, former player and current front office executive, Craig Moore, came out of retirement with hopes not to embarrass himself or the team.
The 3×3 world was buzzing from the news out of Neom
Pool Play Highlights
In Pool Play, Princeton #2 survived two intense battles. Damon Huffman sank back-to-back 2-pointers to lift the team over Krupanj (SRB) #10, 21-19. In the second game against the young, ultra-talented Hannover (GER) #7, Henry Caruso scored a career-high 16 points, securing a 20-16 victory. The quarterfinal clash with the home team, Jeddah, was a thriller. Despite Jeddah's strong start, Princeton fought back, with Caruso taking charge in the final minute to secure the win.
Semifinal Struggle and Qualification
In the semifinals against Hangzhou, a team that has proven challenging this season, Princeton fought hard but fell short with a 15-17 loss. Despite the setback, a 3rd place finish was enough to secure qualification for the Hong Kong Masters (Nov 25-26). Winning every event is the goal, but when you consider the bigger picture of extending the season, Princeton achieved just that. Two events on this challenging road trip, and we've earned two additional events later in the month.
Upcoming Schedule
Manama Masters (Nov 16-17)
Hong Kong Masters (Nov 25-26)
Thanks for following along on this incredible journey. The Drive continues, and we're ready for the next chapter!