New basketball concept debuts at Game On Fitchburg

FITCHBURG — The 360 Hoops era got underway Thursday in impressive fashion.

A new twist on the time-tested game of basketball, 360 Hoops made its debut at Game On Fitchburg, with its founders introducing the the sport — which involves three hoops on a circular court — to local athletes.

Anyone versed in basketball will find something familiar in the concept. Three hoops are set up in a triangular fashion on stanchion in the center of a 30-foot circle. The game is played 3v3v3, with two trios squaring off until one scores a single bucket; the scoring team stays on to defend against a new trio, which replaces the one that gave up a score.

It’s similar to a garden-variety half-court pickup games in some senses. Rebound the ball, bring it outside the circle and then attack. An airball can be put up without first clearing the ball. Step outside the circle after bringing it in on a change of possession and its a turnover.

Fouls result in a reset of possession the first time. The second occurrence is a point for the fouled team.

Games last 14 minutes, with play going quickly.

And with hoops boasting adjustable heights from four and a half feet to 10, anyone can emulate their dunking heroes.

It’s an easy game to digest and thus, easy to like. That’s by design.

“We’re very recreational. We’re not trying to steal the AAU market, we’re not trying to steal basketball. We’re complementing it,” Patrick Donnelly, Vice President of Strategic Development at 360 Hoops, said during Thursday’s unveiling of the sport at Game On. “We see ourselves almost as the pickleball of basketball, the way pickleball evolved from tennis and became such a phenomenon recreationally.

“We think we can do that for basketball. … It’s great for elementary school kids, but it brings out a different competitiveness for guys who are a little bit older, but athletes and competitors.”

The session at Game On was the first public introduction of the game anywhere in the country. Co-founder Shane Brey said more openings would be coming soon across the nation and that several 360 Hoops setups would be available in Fitchburg at most times in his address to the hundred or so in attendance.

Brey founded the company and sport with Anthony Gomez and demonstrated how the game is played with the help of several high school-aged hoopers on Thursday.

Hoops 360 was able to form a partnership with Game On as it looked to debut its game. Impressed with the facilities in Fitchburg, the organization was thrilled to see its product on display Thursday.

“Anthony Gomez traveled the country looking for the very best sports facilities in the business. He came across (senior vice president Dean Hirtle) and Game On and they hit it off right away,” Donnelly said. “Dean saw the value in what our mission was and thought the kids and this community could benefit from what we were offering. He’s been our No. 1 supporter and we’re so thankful for him.

“It’s a dream come true seeing a gym come together like this. We’re really pleased with the turnout and glad the city of Fitchburg came out to see us.”

Dozens of young and teenaged athletes tested out the hoops on Thursday. Some took part in actual games, while others enjoyed simply dunking and shooting on the adjustable units.

“Our goal is to get the game to more places like this and have it be a nationally known thing,” Donnelly said. “It’s a different kind of game and it offers a different type of competitiveness and we think people will enjoy it.”

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