NEWBERRY — Newberry men’s basketball coach announces the signing of James Ashby of New Zealand, who was the captain of the 2011 team that won the FIBA 3x3 World Championships in Rimini, Italy.

The sport of 3x3 basketball is a growing and soon to be an Olympic event.

The six-foot-two-inch, 200 pound guard, was also captain of the New Zealand U20 National Team and averaged 16 points six rebounds and three assists per game.

Ashby was named to the All-Tournament team at the 2011 New Zealand Under 21 National Championship and the 2011 Under 19 National Championship All-Tournament Team.

He was also named Junior Sportsman of the Year in Waitakere West Auckland last year.

“James is a strong, athletic guard who plays extremely hard and can shoot the basketball,” said Dave Davis. “He is an excellent student, has passion for this game and will fit right in with the young team we have assembled here at Newberry. Our women’s coach Sean Page was helpful in landing James as it was a Australian contact of his that led us to recruiting this young man.”