By Morolani Oluwafemi 
The University of Ibadan (UI) men’s basketball team and Uganda Christian University (UCU) women’s team emerged champions of the 8th edition of the Afro-Varsity 3×3 Basketball Tournament securing their spot in the FISU 3×3 World Cup scheduled to hold in October 2026 in Macau, China.

The basketball game held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, from May 31 to June 1, 2026, brought together 28 teams from 16 institutions across seven African countries i.e., Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Benin Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With sixteen teams competed in the men’s category, and 12 teams featured in the women’s category.

Among particpating countries, Nigeria recorded the highest participation with eight men’s teams and six women’s teams. Ghana Followed by Ghana with three representatives in the men’s category, while the remaining countries each had at least one team in attendance.

UI Clinches FASU 3×3 Men’s Basketball Title, Defeats Defending Champions 

The competition began with the group stage on Sunday, where teams battled for places in the knockout rounds. In the men’s category, hosts University of Ibadan topped Pool A with three wins from three matches and advanced alongside ESST. Nile University and UCU progressed from Pool B, while USIU Africa and the University of Ghana secured qualification from Pool C. HEC Kinshasa and LAUTECH completed the quarter-final lineup from Pool D.

The women’s category produced mixed fortunes for Nigerian teams. Hosts UI failed to register a victory and exited at the group stage, while OAU Queens topped their pool after winning both of their matches. ESST, UNILORIN, UCU, University of Abuja, OAU Queens, USIU Africa, University of Lagos, and Kisii University all advanced to the quarter-finals.

In the men’s quarter-finals, UI defeated the University of Ghana to book a semi-final berth. UCU overcame HEC Kinshasa, Nile University defeated LAUTECH 21–8, while USIU Africa edged ESST to complete the semi-final lineup.

On the women’s side, USIU Africa defeated ESST, University of Lagos overcame the University of Abuja, and UCU defeated Kisii University. OAU Queens produced one of the most dominant performances of the round, thrashing UNILORIN 12–1.

The semi-finals set up intense contests across both categories. In the men’s event, UI defeated UCU 20–13 after surviving an early challenge from the Ugandan side, while Nile University secured a 21–15 victory over USIU Africa to set up an all-Nigerian final.

In the women’s semi-finals, USIU Africa edged the University of Lagos 11–9, while UCU defeated OAU Queens 16–7. The results meant no Nigerian women’s team progressed to the championship game.

The bronze-medal matches also delivered excitement. University of Lagos edged OAU Queens to secure third place in the women’s category, while USIU Africa defeated defending champions UCU to claim bronze in the men’s event.

Individual Awards
Men’s Category

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Odunola Timothy (University of Ibadan)
• Top Scorer: Samuel Bello Oluwatobiloba (University of Ibadan)
• Bronze Medal: USIU Africa, Kenya
• Silver Medal: Nile University, Nigeria
• Gold Medal: University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Women’s Category

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Ayano Martinez Alexis (Uganda Christian University)
• Top Scorer: Ayano Martinez Alexis (Uganda Christian University)
• Bronze Medal: University of Lagos, Nigeria
• Silver Medal: USIU Africa, Kenya
• Gold Medal: Uganda Christian University, Uganda

The list of Universities that participated in the tournament