The girl who grew tall and turned pro in 3x3 basketball
The girl who grew tall and turned pro in 3x3 basketball
25-year-old Tan Kang Yi’s journey began with a growth spurt in Primary 5, reaching 1.72m by Secondary 1 and catching the attention of coaches at her school.
Basketball almost slipped out of her grasp after O-Levels. Her results did not qualify her for any of the junior colleges known for the sport – until an unexpected offer from Raffles Junior College.
Unlike many athletes, Ms Tan grew up without pressure – her parents always gave her freedom and supported her interests without assuming or exerting control over her activities.
During Ms Tan’s gap year, she had a chance encounter with her former primary school coach who introduced her to 3x3 basketball and the idea of going professional.
Ms Tan officially went pro in June 2025 – the first woman in Singapore to do so for 3x3 basketball. She later joined a Filipino women's team to compete in the Manila Hustle 3x3 tournament in February this year.
During the tournament, she made her mark internationally, scoring 15 points in a single game – which she calls the highlight of her career so far.
