AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - It was a rousing return for the Rebel Sport 3x3 Quest Tour with the successful and safe staging of the 2020-2021 season on May 2 at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland after a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebel Sport appeared to have not taken a year off with the same excitement and intensity as the previous seven editions before the pandemic paralyzed sporting events last year.

The Quest Tour concluded several amazing summer events for Basketball New Zealand's 3x3 scene that ushered in a comeback in flying colors following a long layoff.

"This was the eighth year of the tour and to finish off in style is fantastic," said Basketball New Zealand 3x3 Manager David Huxford, who credited sponsors of the event.

"These events are fuelled by the likes of them and we are truly grateful for their support in this free community event that traverses the country every summer."

Calendar Boys 2.0, bannered by NBL standouts Chris McIntosh (EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls), Reuben Fitzgerald (Sky Tower Auckland Huskies), Theo Johnson (Mike Pero Nelson Giants), and Sam Aruwa (Go Media Otago Nuggets), reigned supreme in the Grand Final over seven other best 3x3 squads in the country.

Calendar Boys trounced Gimme 5 in the championship, 21-14.

More than winning the tournament though, Mcintosh and the rest of New Zealand 3x3 basketball could not help but be overjoyed by this resounding return after a year filled with uncertainty, struggle, and adversity that they have all thrived through and braved on.

For them, it’s a breath of fresh air that only ignited a new beginning.

"We’ve seen 3x3 basketball take off in the past few years and it’s great to see more and more events around the country," Mcintosh said.

FIBA