Lincoln University men embrace international experience at FISU University World Cup 3x3

The Lincoln University men's 3x3 team finished among the top eight teams at the 2026 FISU University World Cup 3x3 in Macau, China, reaching the quarterfinals in an impressive international campaign.

But for the four student-athletes making the trip, the experience was about more than just basketball. It was an opportunity to represent their university and country on the international stage, connect with people from around the world and experience a culture vastly different from home.

For Seb Wilson, one of the biggest highlights away from the court was exploring Macau and discovering its unique blend of cultures and history.

"Seeing the culture and history of Macau, with its European heritage, and just walking around the city taking it all in was such a cool experience," he said.

Teammate Cody Stevens shared similar sentiments, but particularly valued being able to share the experience with a close group of friends.

"We're a really close group, so being able to share an experience like this was pretty special. We've spent the last three years together at university, so being able to share an experience like this was pretty special," he said.

"Exploring Macau, trying different foods and experiencing the city and culture with some of my closest mates was unreal."

The contrast between Macau and New Zealand was another memorable aspect of the trip. Both players were struck by the city's energy, density and constant activity.

Wilson described the city as "much more busy and upbeat than NZ", adding that "it was almost overstimulating at times as there were so many people. It was cool to see how people lived in such a tightly packed city."

For Stevens, the architecture, food and culture contributed to an experience that was unique.

"Macau was quite different from New Zealand. It was much busier, with large buildings, bright lights and a lot happening everywhere. The food and language were also different, which took a little getting used to, but that was part of what made the trip so interesting."

The tournament also provided an opportunity to meet and interact with players, officials and staff from around the world. Both Wilson and Stevens spoke positively about the people they encountered and the connections made throughout the event.

"We met lots of people from all backgrounds at the tournament, the FISU staff were super friendly and helpful and it was fun interacting with the other teams from all over the globe," Wilson said.

Stevens enjoyed hearing about the different backgrounds and experiences of the players they encountered.

"Everyone was really friendly, and it was interesting hearing about where they came from and what their lives and basketball experiences were like."

He also noted the professional environment of the tournament, describing it as "a big step up from anything we had experienced before, which made it even more enjoyable."

Representing New Zealand provided an opportunity to share a little about life back home. While the players encountered varying levels of knowledge about New Zealand, there was generally plenty of curiosity about where they had travelled from.

Wilson found that "not many people knew much about New Zealand, but everyone we talked to was interested in knowing where we were from."

Stevens said that some people were surprised to learn the team had travelled all the way from New Zealand, while others already had a positive impression of the country.

"They generally knew it as a small and beautiful country, and it was cool answering their questions and telling them more about it," he said.

While their campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals, finishing among the top eight teams at the tournament was a significant achievement for the Lincoln University side.

The opportunity to compete internationally, experience another culture, build friendships and connections with people from around the world, and share the journey with close teammates made the trip memorable well beyond the basketball court.