Hoops legend Marc Gasol establishes first 3x3 professional women's team in Spain

GIRONA (Spain) - In a sign of 3x3's growing emergence, two-time FIBA Basketball World Cup winner Marc Gasol has announced that Girona Basket, the club he owns, will establish the first professional 3x3 women's team in Spain.

After establishing the first men's 3x3 team at the club two years ago, Gasol has now put together a team, which features the four 3x3 European champions Marta Canella, Aitana Cuevas, Vega Gimeno and Sandra Ygueravide.

"It is very special for me. We are so proud  of this."

The players will continue to play as Spain in national team competitions and on the Women’s Series. They will represent Girona in any other events.

It signals an obvious affection for 3x3 from Gasol, who won two FIBA Basketball World Cups for Spain in 2006 and 2019 and an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19.

"It is very special for me and for the club to have this team," the 37-year-old said. "We are so proud of this, and we are looking forward to great times with them"

With four players ranked in the top 10 of the FIBA  3x3 rankings, Spain is a 3x3 power having dominated 2021 after winning the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2021 and also tasting victories in the Women's Series stops in Mies and Montreal.

After a dazzling season, where she finished the Women's Series No.1 in highlights (66) and key assists (34), Ygueravide, who was the Europe Cup MVP, enters 2022 as the No.1 ranked 3x3 player in the world. 

Underlining Spain's rich talent, Cuevas is ranked No.4, Gimeno No.6 and Canella at No.9. The awesome foursome will continue playing as Spain in the Women's Series and in international competitions, but as Team Girona elsewhere. 

"Finally we can say loud and clear that we are part of the first professional women's 3x3 team," Gimeno said on social media. "Many thanks to Marc Gasol and Basquet Girona for the trust and courage shown.

"We are super happy and motivated with this new adventure." 

Ygueravide said she was excited about the new opportunity. "We join an exciting project so that 3x3 basketball continues to grow," she said on social media.

"And it couldn't be any other way than together... we started a new adventure with great desire and enthusiasm! Let the summer come!" 

FIBA