Exploring Amsterdam: A 3x3 Journey with the Barcelona panthers

Earlier this month, I had the chance to participate in a unique 3x3 women’s professional tournament hosted by 3x3 Unites alongside the men's World Tour. Kacie Bosch and I were asked by Ari Gelli, the owner of the Barcelona Panthers, if we wanted to join their team for the tournament. It was an exciting offer, and of course, we said yes!

We arrived the day before the tournament in Amsterdam, but unfortunately, my bag did not make it. That first night, Poppy and I ended up walking a total of 16,000 steps around the city, searching for essentials like socks, pajamas, and spandex shorts for the next day’s games. The adventure started before we even hit the court!

Day 1 of the tournament was held at an iconic venue, and the atmosphere was electric. The setting was incredible. We had two games that day, and after we wrapped up, our team went into the Amsterdam city center to enjoy a team meal. I still didn’t have my bag, so I made a quick stop to buy a tracksuit, hoping I’d get some indication about when my luggage might arrive.

On Day 2, we faced the Dutch National Team in the semifinals. It was a tough game, and we fought hard—our best performance yet as a team. It felt like we had really started to gel and find our rhythm, but we fell just short of a win, finishing third overall in the tournament. Even though we didn’t take the top spot, it was such a rewarding experience.

Playing with the Panthers was a new challenge. With Team Canada, we’ve spent so much time together and know each other’s games inside and out. Here, I had to step into a different role and find new ways to contribute both offensively and defensively.

After the tournament ended, we watched the men’s finals, which was exciting and such an amazing

game. Then, Kacie, Poppy, and I spent the rest of the day wandering around Amsterdam, taking in the city’s sights and relaxing after an intense few days.

Even though we didn’t win the tournament, the experience of competing with a new team in such an iconic setting was unforgettable. It’s moments like these that make me love 3x3 basketball even more—the travel, the challenges, and the incredible people you meet along the way.