At the 3x3 Basketball World Cup in San Juan, team Australia has been turning heads with its combination of speed, skill, and teamwork—aided by player Jordan McCormick, bringing passion and infectious enthusiasm to every play.
“3x3 is fast and fun, and we all tried our best.” Jordan shared. “Our Unified partners Chloe and Marley are fantastic. They shared the ball with all of us. We played really well together, and we’ve won 2 and lost 1. Let’s see how we do against Costa Rica today.”
Learning and Growing Together
For Jordan, the World Cup is not just about competition—it’s about growth and making memories. “Next time, I would keep on practising and learn more about 3x3 and defend more, as I’m still learning,” she admitted. Her journey into basketball has been marked by perseverance.
“I started doing gymnastics when I was little, and was playing basketball for my school. Then I moved to basketball, and I’ve been playing for 4 years. Overall, I love my sport, and I feel very lucky to be here because with Special Olympics, everyone becomes like one big family.”
Jordan represented Victoria in 2022 at the Australian National Games in Tasmania, and shares that she was proud to represent Australia at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin, Germany, in 2023. “My favourite position is everywhere! But I really like shooting.”
Coach’s Take: Pride and Progress
Coach Helen Killien has been impressed with the team’s rapid adaptation to the fast-paced 3x3 format. “The team excelled here in San Juan and did themselves proud. Unified sport is very new to Australia. The team have only been playing 3x3 Basketball for 2 months. We are very proud of their capacity to settle into the fast pace of the game and improve their skills,” Helen said.
She also reflected on lessons learned from the World Cup, “Our lesson would be to arrive earlier for flight recovery, acclimatisation, and preparation time. To upskill on the speed of the game and to ensure excellent dance music is always played.”
Basketball Dreams of the Future
Jordan’s enthusiasm for the game is sincere. “The venue is super awesome. The atmosphere is loud and exciting, which makes us feel proud to be here. I’m having a fantastic time making lifetime memories and meeting lots of new people.”
Earlier today, Australia faced off against Costa Rica in the battle for third place, ultimately falling 8-5 in a hard-fought match.
Relive all the action via the livestream and catch the final matches tonight!
