Although her brief stint with the Los Angeles Sparks didn't go as planned, former UNC women's basketball star Alyssa Ustby isn't giving up on her professional basketball career.
It was announced that Ustby will be joining the 3XBA for Spokane Hoopfest later on this month, which will be held from June 25-28 in Washington.
Excited for what’s to come 🫶 pic.twitter.com/P2PDdt3av3
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) June 2, 2025
A league that launched in 2010, this is a 3x3 format that is built on fast-paced basketball. Games are 10 minutes long and feature 12-second shot clocks, making it time crunching for teams to get good shots off. It has become more popular over time, as it was first introduced as an Olympic sport during the Tokyo Games in 2021.
For someone who plays the game with an extremely high motor, this type of style fits Alyssa Ustby quite well. An athlete who can make an impact on both sides of the floor, the increased spacing and fast style of play should help her thrive in this type of tournament, as UNC women's basketball fans can attest just how hard she plays over 40 minutes of action.
Imagine the level of energy she can bring for a 10-minute stretch like these games are played?!
Ustby put together a tremendous career with the UNC women's basketball program, finishing her career as a Tar Heel as the program's all-time leading rebounder. The Rochester, Minnesota native made a major impact in the Tar Heels' success, helping guide them to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances during her tenure on campus. She became the first player in program history to record a triple-double, one of the many outstanding performances she put together during her collegiate basketball career.
While Ustby is still focused on pursuing a professional basketball career, she will gladly take up the opportunity of competing in this tournament. One things for sure: Tar Heel faithful will always be cheering her on wherever life takes her!