FIBA tournaments, NCAA March Madness suspended due to coronavirus

Upcoming FIBA tournaments, as well as the US NCAA tournament and March Madness, are all suspended due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a press statement, FIBA noted that they will be suspending all tournaments “in order to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, officials and fans.”

FIBA will monitor the situation on a daily basis.

Among current on-going FIBA tournaments are the respective continental cup qualifiers.

The FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifiers were scheduled for late March, while the men’s Olympic Qualifiers were scheduled for late June.

The suspension might have a significant effect on FIBA’s calendar, as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is set in July and the cast of participating teams is not yet complete.

In the United States, meanwhile, the US NCAA men’s and women’s Division I tournaments (March Madness) have ready been called off.

All remaining winter and spring competitions likewise have been suspended.

Initially, organizers thought of playing behind closed doors, but the event was eventually postponed.