Alice Kunek To Miss FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifiers

Australian 3×3 star Alice Kunek has suffered an elbow injury and will no longer be available for selection in March’s FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

On Sunday January 12, Kunek was injured in the final minute of the Sydney Uni Flames v Townsville Fire WNBL game and on Thursday, it was confirmed she would require surgery.

It is expected Kunek will be sidelined for three-to-four months, a rehab period that will allow her to prepare for selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, if Australia qualify.

“Of course, it’s so disappointing to have to miss out on not only the remainder of the WNBL season but the 3×3 Olympic Qualifier in March,” Kunek said.

“I have full faith in the team, and I know they will be focused and determined to qualify for the Olympics. I will be cheering them on from the sidelines, with the aim to be back with them ahead of Tokyo.”

Kunek represented Australia at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Cup and the 2019 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, where the Aussies won gold.

Australian 3×3 women’s head coach Dave Biwer said the exclusion of Kunek from the OQT is extremely disappointing.

“Alice has been such an integral part of the 3×3 teams at both the World Cup and the Asia Cup, so we will definitely miss her,” Biwer said.

“We will support Alice throughout her rehab period, and we look forward to hopefully seeing her back out on court representing the women’s 3×3 in Tokyo.”

The OQT will be played in India from March 18-22.