Thai Basketball Targets Two Asian Games Medals in Japan
Thailand's basketball 3×3 teams aim for two medals at the 2025 Asian Games in Japan, competing in ranking tournaments in China first to prepare for the September event.
Thailand will send 3×3 men's and women's basketball teams to compete in a major Asian-level tournament in China to accumulate world ranking points before heading to Japan to pursue two medals at the Asian Games.
The 20th Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2025, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Basketball Association of Thailand president Nipont Chuaritmontean announced that the Thai national basketball teams, supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, will compete in three categories: women's 5×5, men's 3×3, and women's 3×3.
Regarding the 5×5 competition, Nipont noted that while the host nation designated 12 teams for the men's final round, Thailand ranked 14th in Asia and fell short of qualification despite Syria (ranked 13th) withdrawing. The women's 5×5 team, ranked 9th-10th in Asia, qualified and will feature new players to strengthen the roster.
For the 3×3 category, limited to athletes age 23 and under, Thailand's women's team previously won bronze at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia and will retain two players from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou with a Serbian coach. The men's team will also feature two returnees from Hangzhou mixed with emerging talent. Officials are targeting two medals from the 3×3 events.
Before the Asian Games in September 2025, the association will send both 3×3 teams to compete in approximately 4-5 major world ranking tournaments in China during August 2025, serving as crucial preparation and selection benchmarks.
