New Zealand’s newest basketball competition has arrived in Invercargill.

Twenty teams are set to battle it out over three days for the Schick 3X3 Cup at ILT Stadium Southland from tonight (November 12) to Saturday, November 14, when the two title winners will be crowned.

The teams are made up of ten men and ten women.

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ILT Stadium Southland Manager Nigel Skelt said it was very exciting to have the first major sporting event back at the stadium since COVID-19.

The three days of the 3X3 cup would be action-packed, with five sessions set to be played from tonight, he said.

There would be a 17-minute turnaround between games in each block, meaning the action will “fast, furious and very physical,” he said.

Otherwise known as street ball or street basketball, 3x3 is different to traditional basketball as it is played three a side, on a half court and on one hoop.

According to Basketball New Zealand, it is the largest urban team sport in the world, with over 250 million players worldwide and ranked among the most played recreational sports on the planet.

"The biggest strength of 3X3 is its simplicity both in terms of rules and in terms of required facilities, allowing it to be held in the most spectacular settings, using iconic landmarks as backdrops,” a Basketball NZ spokesperson said.

The 3X3 game can be played in street courts, backyards, parks, squares, basketball courts and gyms.

In June 2017, 3×3 was officially announced as a new Olympic sport.

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Among Basketball NZ Players to look out for are Hyrum Harris, who plays for the Southland Sharks.

Harris is known for his dynamic ability and an attacking mentality that will make him extremely difficult to stop.

He's also a player national selectors will be eager to see in action as a future 3X3 star.

Other top players at the tournament include former NZ Breakers guard and sharpshooter Ethan Rusbatch and his Hawke's Bay Hawks team mates Derone Raukawa, who is ranked ranked third in the coaches votes for the competition's most valued player, and Taane Samuel, a confident shooter.

Other key players include Karl Noyer, from the Taranaki Mountainairs, Jayden Bezzant of the Manawatu Jets, Marcel Jones of the Franklin Bulls and the Otago Nugget's big man, Sam Timmins, who will be a tough match-up for smaller forwards.

2019 Tall Fern Ella Fotu will be playing in Invercargill this weekend. PHOTO: Supplied

In the women's games,the players to watch include NZ Select player Tiarna Clarke, regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players in the country.

Other key players include Taranaki Thunder teenager Isabelle Cook, Auckland Dream's canny defender Darci Finnigan, and 2019 Tall Fern Ella Fotu of the Harbour Breeze.

Former Tall Fern Lisa Wallbutton of Otago Gold Rush is a gold standard signing and has been coaxed out of retirement for the tournament.

Tickets and entertainment packages are available for all sessions from Ticketec.

Adult tickets are from $16 and junior tickets are from $8.