Tokyo is getting ready to host next summer’s Olympic Games. These games will mark the return of the summer Olympics to Tokyo for the first time since 1964, and will make Tokyo the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice. What’s exciting, for basketball players all over the world, is the introduction of a new sport: 3×3 basketball.

3×3 basketball has its origins as a street game, but it’s inclusion in the Olympics is now allowing its stars to shine on the world stage. Despite it being under the basketball umbrella, it’s played differently than the traditional 5 on 5 game. With a half court, shorter shot clock, and only 10 minutes in a game gives 3×3 plenty of intensity and action.

Nedim Muslic, from Doha, Qatar, is the 2016 3×3 World Champion. He’s excited his sport has found its way into the Olympics, and he told The Willistonian, “It’s a huge opportunity …  it’s another way for basketball players from smaller countries to rise up and compete for top spots in the Olympics, the biggest sporting event,” Muslic, 21, said.

Faisal Abuissa, also from Doha, was named to the top three players in Asia and was a runner up in the 2017 Asian Championships. He explained to The Willistonian that 3×3 basketball is “a way for me to travel the world and start playing this sport professionally. Although I might enjoy regular basketball more, this is just a getaway from all that.”

Abuissa added that this could be a way for him to “maybe try and pick up medals in big tournaments and events.”