In Brazil, the UVic Vikes learned that in 3x3 basketball, it's not just about skill – it's about survival.
Fresh off a national title, four members of the University of Victoria Vikes men’s basketball team flew to Brazil to represent Canada at the 2025 International University Sports Federation (FISU) America 3x3 Championship.
“We got hit early,” said assistant coach Josh Reddy. “Literally. And the guys had to figure out fast – are you going to hit back, or get left behind?”
The four-man Vikes squad – Ethan Boag (Claremont Secondary graduate), Shadynn Smid (from Duncan), Griffin Arnatt (Oak Bay Secondary graduate), and Renoldo Robinson – finished fourth in the 13-team tournament, falling just short of the podium.
They opened with a perfect 3-0 record and cruised past Brazil’s Universidade Nilton Lins 22-9 in the quarterfinals. But a 22-19 loss to Universidade de Fortaleza in the semis and a 21-18 defeat to Universidad de Chile in the bronze medal game left them without a medal.
Even so, they came home with something that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet.
“I think the biggest thing was just how physical it was,” Boag said. “We kind of got a taste of that when we went down there, and it was cool to learn – like, what’s a foul, what’s not. We didn’t really know at first.”
Reddy didn’t sugarcoat it.
“It’s like '90s NBA basketball – hand checks, forearms, bumping guys off their line,” Reddy said. “You have to hit first. Once you get hit, you need to find a way to hit back.”
It took a game or two, but the Vikes adjusted.
Smid and Arnatt stepped into the physicality. Robinson showed flashes of one-on-one skill. And Boag – named captain for the trip – thrived in the open floor and quick pace.
“I actually really liked it,” Boag said. “It’s super fast-paced. There’s so much more space. I feel like for a player like me – tall, can shoot, can drive – it really suits my game.”
But the 3x3 format came with a steep learning curve.
There’s no help-side defence. There’s barely time to think. And with a 12-second shot clock, mistakes stack up fast if you don’t move past them.
“You can’t dwell,” Reddy said. “You’ve got to read the game, make a decision, and live with it. That’s the beauty of 3x3 – you learn to trust your instincts.”
Off the court, the trip doubled as a crash course in culture.
None of the players had been to South America before, and Brazil left an impression that extended beyond basketball. They visited waterfalls, explored lakes, and – in Boag’s case – finally saw a capybara in real life.
“I’ve been wanting to see one forever,” he said with a laugh. “But honestly, I just love learning how people live in different places. I’m a geography major, so I’m kind of biased – but it was amazing.”
There were language barriers, unfamiliar food, and moments of uncertainty – but also warmth and connection.
“I was expecting it to be a little closed off,” Boag said. “But people were super welcoming. The teams from other countries were great to talk to and exchange stories with. That part of it was really meaningful.”
The tournament also marked a shift in leadership within the Vikes program.
With key veterans from last season gone, such as Diego Maffia, Sam Maillet, and Aaron Tesfagiorgis, this trip became a test for the next core.
Boag was handed the captaincy.
“This is the next chapter,” Reddy said. “These four are the ones we’re building around now. It’s their time.”
With no formal training camp until August, both Reddy and head coach Murphy Burnatowski are staying local this summer to keep the group engaged.
“We made a conscious effort to be here this summer,” Reddy said. “Normally, I’d be gone with CEBL stuff, but we’re here. This is a big offseason.”
Boag is embracing that structure. His focus? Stay consistent.
“I’ve been good so far about getting in the gym, getting in the weight room,” he said. “But I just want to keep showing up. Stick to the script. That’s the goal.”
