The Vanuatu women’s national team delivered an impressive performance with a third-place finish in Conference One of the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League –Oceania 2025-, held in Palau. The driving force behind this unexpected success were Julia and Christina Kasten, two young players who share more than just a passion for basketball: a rare family bond on the court.

Both grew up in Port Vila, the capital city located in Shefa Province, on the main island of Efate. Just two years apart in age, they are often mistaken for sisters or cousins—but Julia is actually Christina’s aunt. Basketball has run through their family for generations, but never before had a woman represented Vanuatu in the sport. With 3×3 as their playing field, the Kasten duo are writing a new chapter in their family’s basketball story.

“From our grandfather to us”

This new generation’s rise began at the FIBA 3×3 High-Performance Camp, held on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2024. “We learned a lot of things like nutrition, fundamentals, how to read the court,” said Julia. The event in Palau marked the international debut for all four members of the Vanuatu squad. “It’s very exciting because it’s my first time representing my country, and I feel proud,” Christina shared.

Christina shone with 29 points in the fourth game and 27 more in the fifth, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 91 points. She was named to the All-Star 3 Team of Conference One and climbed to 250th in the FIBA 3×3 global women’s rankings—at just 19 years old.

“For me and my auntie, basketball is a generational thing. From our grandfather to us, we’re making our family proud,” Christina said. Julia added: “Our family has always been very involved in basketball, and they support us a lot. This is the first time we’ve travelled for 3×3, so it’s a great opportunity.” Christina also had a message for young girls in Vanuatu: “Playing basketball can take you anywhere. No matter what people say, just follow your dream.”

New FIBA 3×3 event in Edmonton

3×3 stars head to Edmonton

After a short break, the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2025 is back in action with the Edmonton Masters, taking place this weekend in Canada. The tournament features 12 teams, including seven from the world’s top 12, such as Ub, Amsterdam Rabobank, Miami and Raudondvaris Hoptrans. Fans can watch all the action live on the official FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel, as Edmonton hosts the tour’s eighth stop of the season.

Top seed Ub enters as the favourite, fresh off three consecutive titles, despite missing Dejan Majstorovic due to injury. Also returning are big names like Strahinja Stojacic, Worthy de Jong, Karlis Lasmanis and Stefan Milivojevic, in what promises to be an action-packed weekend of 3×3 basketball.