UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - After being in the lab all off-season, 3x3's best players are fresh and ready to show off their new skills at the FIBA 3x3 Utsunomiya Opener 2024 on April 27-28. 

Here are the top players you just have to watch in Utsunomiya.

Strahinja Stojacic (Ub Huishan NE)

Once again, Stojacic starts the season wearing the crown. Somehow the spectacular Serb got even better in 2023 as 'Doctor Strange' submitted maybe the GOAT individual season. 

The stats and his collection of MVPs confirmed the eye test with the 6ft. 6in (1.98m) athletic marvel making the half-court his multiverse. It's a new year, but Stojacic wants the script to remain the same. 

He's not ready yet to vacate his throne, with Stojacic no doubt spending the off-season finding ways to get even better. It seems an impossible task, but don't bet against Stojacic lifting the standard of 3x3 to new heights as he eyes a third straight MVP in Utsunomiya. 

Jimmer Fredette (Miami) 

His debut season went like a dream, with this former NBA player and college phenom nailing an insane 44% from 2s.

We have a new challenge for Jimmer Buckets. Can he splash 50% from downtown? That's one from every two shots for those mathematically challenged. 

Fredette is an assassin like we've never before seen on the half-court and it's little wonder there is 'Jimmer Mania' every time he laces up. 2024 is a year that he's been circling for some time because it's when he's going to complete a childhood dream and represent mighty Team USA in the Olympics.

Before then he's got the World Tour and it starts in Utsunomiya where Fredette will be going bang, bang.   

Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam)

No one produced a scoring binge and highlights galore quite like this Dutch hoops legend in 2023. It's little wonder he's universally known as 'Hype Worthy' because de Jong rewrote the scoring records last year. 

You can't take your eyes off him because he has a deadly cocktail of Euro steps, crossovers and nasty foot work to be absolutely unguardable. 

Before you can blink, he's already racked up 10 points - and that's the scoring mark we believe he can average across the entire World Tour season! De Jong will start his quest in Utsunomiya, where he will turn into a samurai on the half-court. 

 Thibaut Vervoort (Riffa)

'Must See TV' was the hottest show in 3x3 a few years back. Last season was good but not quite as great - maybe like season two of The Wire - but Vervoort is ready to return to prime time. 

And he might just feel pumped up being surrounded by his much-loved Belgian compatriots as he aims to make a name for Riffa.

Vervoort has already started the pro circuit strong and there have been flashes of his clutch shooting and explosive driving to the rim. 

It all means this brilliant Belgian is 'Must See TV' once again. 

Tomoya Ochiai (Saitama ALPHAS EXE) 

We're always amazed when this dude better known as 'Worm' steps on the half-court. Because he does something we've never seen before with the Wilson and Ochiai saves his craziest tricks for his home fans in Japan. 

The Japanese legend has already started 2024 by winning titles at Japan’s 3x3.EXE Super Premier Pro League and he's got a taste of Ws. The biggest hollers in Utsunomiya will be reserved for when Ochiai does something trippy on the half-court. 

Yosuke Saito (Utsunomiya BREX EXE)

Speaking of Japanese stars then we just have to instantly mention the 6ft (1.84m) Saito, who can dominate much taller opponents through his devastating combination of speed and skill. 

He's faster than a Honda down the lane and you'll see Saito ignite as he tries to inspire hometown heroes Utsunomiya to a giant-killing run.

Stefan Milivojevic (Partizan)

After a breakout season, Stefan Milivojevic quickly became affectionately known as 'The Gladiator'.

And with good reason because he was mentally tough in battle and was nerveless when the game was on the line as he showed by hitting some of the craziest Buzzer Beaters in 2023.

He's ready to make the half-court his colosseum and we're sure this dude is even more jacked in 2024. Move over Russell Crowe, the real Gladiator is ready for action. 

Antonio Ralat (San Juan Church's) 

The stone cold assassin had no nerves in his debut season as he finished 2023 as the rookie of the year. 

There just won't be any second season blues for a dude who has ice in his veins. He can make the half-court freeze over in the clutch with the sharpshooter at the heart of San Juan's resurgence. 

Ralat is now aiming to lead the Puerto Ricans amongst the very best teams and to do that he'll need to take his game to even greater heights.

With swagger and deadly shooting, Ralat is a 3x3 miracle worker and he'll answer prayers for San Juan Church's. 

FIBA