Nagaland created history at the 5th 3×3 National Basketball Championship for Men and Women held in Delhi, with Team Nagaland delivering a spirited performance to register its best ever showing at the national level. The team topped its group and qualified for the Pre-Quarterfinals, an achievement unprecedented in the history of basketball in the state.
Placed in Group E alongside Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Assam, the Nagaland contingent displayed consistency, teamwork and composure across all group matches. In their opening encounter against Chhattisgarh, Nagaland secured a convincing 21–11 win, with Atseizo leading the scoring with 10 points, while Cuwe added six and Sede contributed five.
The team followed this up with another 21–11 victory over Himachal Pradesh. The match saw a balanced offensive effort as Cuwe scored seven points, Sede added eight, Atseizo contributed four and Yeye chipped in with two. Nagaland then produced a dominant performance against Jharkhand, registering a 21–4 win to seal qualification. Cuwe emerged as the top scorer with eight points, supported by Atseizo with six, Sede with four and Yeye with three.
In their final group match against Assam, Nagaland maintained their momentum with a 21–11 victory to finish at the top of Group E. Atseizo once again spearheaded the attack with 10 points, while Sede added six.
In the Pre-Quarterfinals, Nagaland faced Karnataka in a closely contested match. Despite a determined effort, the team went down 11–17, with Atseizo and Cuwe scoring five points each.
Nagaland’s campaign marked a major milestone for the sport in the state, as topping the group and advancing to the knockout stage was achieved for the first time at a national basketball championship.
“With the right support, Nagaland can become a national model for basketball development, inspiring generations to dream bigger and aim higher,” the Nagaland Basketball Association said in a statement.
Reacting to the achievement, Sentiningsang Longkumer, Honorary Secretary of the Nagaland Basketball Association, said, “This historic achievement is more than just a sporting milestone—it is a dream realized for Nagaland basketball. Our young players have shown courage, discipline, and heart, proving that Nagaland can stand tall on the national stage. But their journey cannot end here. To truly build on this success, we need the unwavering support of our government, administrators, institutions, and private companies. I urge every parent to encourage their children, and every leader to invest in this beautiful sport. Together, we can transform this moment into a legacy and make Nagaland a beacon of basketball excellence in India.”
