Ball State University Athletics
Persons, MAC Squad Make Semifinal Run at USA Hoops 3x3 Nationals
May 06, 2019 | Men's Basketball
MAC hoopsters fall to two-time champion, come within one win of title game
LAS VEGAS -- Tayler Persons and his MAC 3-on-3 teammates made another deep run over the weekend at the Red Bull USA Basketball Men's 3x3 National Championship.
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The squad reached the semifinals, just like it did last month at the Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, before again falling to the eventual champion. This time that was Ariel Slow & Steady, led by former Purdue star Robbie Hummel, which defended its 2018 title.
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Persons again played with Central Michigan's Larry Austin Jr., Toledo's Jaelan Sanford and Kent State's Jaylin Walker. They represented the 3X3U tournament after taking third place at that event during Final Four weekend at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.
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The MAC went 2-2 in pool play over the weekend at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, with one of those losses also coming to Ariel Slow & Steady. The team then defeated 3BALL Olympic Club and 3BALL Harlem in the knockout rounds to reach the semifinals.
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The two-day event, which was held outside for the first time since it was launched in 2012, also served as the 2019 USA Basketball Men's 3x3 National Team trials. Athletes from the tournament will be selected to represent the USA at the Men's 3x3 World Cup and Pan American Games. Those teams will be announced at a later date. The 3x3 discipline will also be included in the Olympics for the first time in 2020.
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A three-time All-MAC selection, Persons racked up nearly 2,000 points and more than 500 assists for his collegiate career. Despite playing only his final three seasons at Ball State, he ranks ninth in school history in points (1,558) and third in assists (447). The Kokomo, Indiana, product started all 99 games of his BSU career.
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Though he could not attend Saturday's graduation ceremonies on campus, Persons was one of three Ball State men's basketball players to earn bachelor's degrees this spring, joining Trey Moses and Kyle Mallers. Mallers still has one year of eligibility remaining.
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The squad reached the semifinals, just like it did last month at the Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, before again falling to the eventual champion. This time that was Ariel Slow & Steady, led by former Purdue star Robbie Hummel, which defended its 2018 title.
Â
Persons again played with Central Michigan's Larry Austin Jr., Toledo's Jaelan Sanford and Kent State's Jaylin Walker. They represented the 3X3U tournament after taking third place at that event during Final Four weekend at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.
Â
The MAC went 2-2 in pool play over the weekend at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, with one of those losses also coming to Ariel Slow & Steady. The team then defeated 3BALL Olympic Club and 3BALL Harlem in the knockout rounds to reach the semifinals.
Â
The two-day event, which was held outside for the first time since it was launched in 2012, also served as the 2019 USA Basketball Men's 3x3 National Team trials. Athletes from the tournament will be selected to represent the USA at the Men's 3x3 World Cup and Pan American Games. Those teams will be announced at a later date. The 3x3 discipline will also be included in the Olympics for the first time in 2020.
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A three-time All-MAC selection, Persons racked up nearly 2,000 points and more than 500 assists for his collegiate career. Despite playing only his final three seasons at Ball State, he ranks ninth in school history in points (1,558) and third in assists (447). The Kokomo, Indiana, product started all 99 games of his BSU career.
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Though he could not attend Saturday's graduation ceremonies on campus, Persons was one of three Ball State men's basketball players to earn bachelor's degrees this spring, joining Trey Moses and Kyle Mallers. Mallers still has one year of eligibility remaining.
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Players Mentioned
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, June 15
Thursday, May 07
Tuesday, April 28