The engaged couple shooting for gold as Australian 3x3 basketball teammates in Paris
Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle’s journey to Paris is unlike any other. MATT LOGUE discovers how the engaged couple and teammates supported each other and helped Australia’s 3x3 side qualify for the Olympics.
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If securing a ticket to the Paris Olympics isn’t satisfying enough, imagine doing it alongside your partner.
This was the special reality for Australian basketballer Anneli Maley on Sunday, as she helped her country qualify for 3x3 format at this year’s Games.
Maley and her fiancee – Marena Whittle – joined a rare list as a couple set to compete at the same Olympic event after playing vital roles to guide the Gangurrus women past Canada in the final of the FIBA 3x3 qualifying tournament in Utsunomiya, Japan.
The thrilling 19-16 victory over the Canadians came down to the final seconds, but the Australians held on to etch their names in the record books as the inaugural 3x3 women’s team to represent the green and gold at the Olympics.
Maley was named tournament MVP after dropping 19 points and adding 27 rebounds across the event’s five games.
The moment you fulfill your dream 🙌
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) May 5, 2024
Australia will be in Paris 2024 🥺 #3x3OQTpic.twitter.com/2nuIf4PHRO
The Australian women showcased impressive resilience to overcome an opening pool loss to the Netherlands, before going on a four-game winning streak to book their ticket to Paris.
For Maley, the occasion was made even more memorable with her partner by her side, who she gleefully embraced at full-time in the final.
“She (Marena) is my person,” Maley told this masthead from Japan.
“I get to do life with my person, but I also get to succeed with my person.
“As her partner I’ve got to see the things that she has overcome in the last few years and how many people have looked past her and not given her the respect that she deserves.
“So, that embrace at full-time was a lot of pride from my end. I’m so proud of Marena and in that moment we looked at each other and said: ‘look what we did’ and it’s amazing.”
Maley is equally thrilled with her own perseverance to defy setbacks, most recently her performances for the Perth Lynx during the WNBL finals.
Back in mid-March, she struggled mentally after missing two clutch free-throws and a game-winning layup in a Game 2 loss to the Southside Flyers.
Our women’s 3x3 team have just qualified for the Olympics! This is INCREDIBLE!!!! 🇦🇺 https://t.co/2XFAWKWNU2
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) May 5, 2024
Maley revealed she felt down in the dumps until she received a phone call from 3x3 head coach and NBL legend, Damon Lowery, who was fittingly on the sidelines in Japan to see the Gangurrus women qualify for the Games.
“Damon told me that the setback is never as important as the comeback,” she said.
“I didn’t bounce back the way I wanted in Game 3, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to let that be my story.
“For me going into the Asia Cup and the Olympic qualifiers, I have learnt from past experiences and I’m just so proud of myself.”
Maley will now fulfil her childhood dream of representing Australia at an Olympic Games.
Asked how it feels to become an Olympian, the emotional forward said: “It makes me want to cry.
“I’m so proud of myself for not letting my setbacks be my story.
“My mental battles have become my mental strength.
“I have mental toughness. At times my I struggle with my mental health, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have mental toughness.
“I’m so passionate and you don’t exist in the highs without the lows.”
The Australians also had to show mental toughness after losing their opening game against the Netherlands.
Thankfully, they responded with group game wins over Kenya and Canada to finish on top of Pool B and qualify for the semi-finals.
The Australians recorded a tight 18-16 win over Brazil in the semis on the back of Whittle and Bendigo Braves guard Alex Wilson, who combined for 13 points.
This gave the Gangurrus women vital belief heading into the final against Canada – and they didn’t disappoint to claim a pulsating win on the back of clutch free throws and a block from Wilson down the stretch.
Upon reflection, Maley believes the first-up defeat to the Netherlands was meant to be.
“We needed that loss,” she said.
“Sometimes you need to be shown where your holes are, especially in 3x3.
“We got exposed where our gaps are and it was up to us to respond or go home.
“We responded and I’m just so proud of us and the way that we won.
“We made it hard for ourselves, but if it’s not hard it’s not worth it.”
The Gangurrus join France, USA, China and Azerbaijan in the women’s 3x3 field in Paris.
Three more teams will make the cut for the eight-team event from the final qualifiers in Hungary scheduled later this month.
Maley was lost for words when quizzed about the prospect of competing at an Olympic Games in one of the world’s most picturesque cities in Paris.
“I don’t know what to say to that – it doesn’t feel real,” she said.
“It hasn’t fully sunken in yet. “I woke up this morning and I thought to myself, ‘did that really happen?’.”
Originally published as The engaged couple shooting for gold as Australian 3x3 basketball teammates in Paris
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