Hong Kong side sign up Latvian Olympic gold medallist to boost city’s 3x3 basketball hopes

Alongside Karlis Lasmanis, Edgars Krumins and Nauris Miezis, Agnis Cavars helped Latvia win the maiden men’s final in Tokyo

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Agnis Cavars (left) in action for Latvia at the Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Hong Kong in April. Photo: 3x3 HKG

Published: 6:30pm, 9 Sep 2024Updated: 6:42pm, 9 Sep 2024

Hong Kong signalled their intent to further develop 3x3 basketball in the city after adding Olympic gold medallist Agnis Cavars to the roster of the only professional team.

Cavars, who alongside Karlis Lasmanis, Edgars Krumins and Nauris Miezis helped Latvia win the maiden men’s final in Tokyo three years ago, has joined Team Hong Kong for the remainder of the season.

“As I had said many times, Hong Kong is one of my top choices to live in Asia,” he said. “I loved the city and the people – it is a big city with a lot of opportunities.

“It’s not big geographically but there were so many things to see and do. I liked that everyone speaks English and it was easy to understand everything around me. I just simply love Hong Kong.”

Hongkonger Edmond Ho Ming-tat, the 3x3 basketball referee turned Referee Lead in Fiba 3x3, said signing star players was the “better and more effective” approach than getting a coach on board.

Latvia’s Olympic gold medallist Agnis Cavars said Hong Kong is one of his favourite places in Asia. Photo: 3x3 HKG

“There is no courtside coaching in 3x3 basketball, so having an experienced, seasoned pro sharing the court is an important step,” he said. “Mongolia did the same when they got top star Steve Sir to play for them.