Paul Sir

He was an all state high school player in Iowa, had a great university career and was Player of the Year in his pro league in Belgium. Paul has been inducted into the Iowa High School and Winona State University Hall of Fames.

His introduction to a 3×3 league concept came in the summer of 1971 when his high school coach, Daryl Collins, organized a 3 on 3 summer league. Paul helped organize 3 on 3 leagues during the offseason of his college career. Like many coaches at all levels, 3 on 3 was an integral part of teaching his players the finer points of the games. 3×3 had a boom period in the ‘90’s and early 2000’s with tournaments like the Gus Macker, Hoop It Up and NBA 3 on 3; he played and helped organize these events until interest in them faded away. 

Since FIBA’s announcement of 3×3 becoming a sport in 2010, Sir has relentlessly pursued being a leader in the growth and profile of the sport. While Executive Director at the Alberta Basketball Association, he led the way in starting annual 3×3 tournaments for all ages and abilities. ABA was the first organization to send qualifying men’s and women’s teams to FIBA 3×3 professional events. Sir led the way to hosting FIBA 3×3 professional events in edmonton in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

After retiring after 16 years from ABA in 2023, Sir started the process of forming a not for profit dedicated exclusively to 3×3. ‘3×3 is unique and requires its own vision,’ Sir states. ‘The 3×3 Basketball Association intends to offer opportunities, information and guidance dedicated to the growth and development of the sport so it fits seamlessly into the basketball ecosystem. 3×3 is accessible to all.’

Sir and his wife, Sandra, live in Edmonton. Sandra is a retired teacher. They have 4 sons: Steve, the long time top ranked Canadian 3×3 men’s player and has held the NCAA record for career 3 point shooting percentage since 2007, and his wife, Caitlin, and their daughters, Isabelle and Lyla, live in Edmonton. Sam, who played at Concordia University, and his wife Mallory, are teachers in Edmonton, and have 2 sons, Oliver and Cooper. Ethan, who was All Canadian at Concordia University, and his wife, Cayleigh, live in New York City, where she is a professional photographer and he is a stand up comedian. Their son, Ben, passed away tragically in 2023.