UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Powerhouse Ub Huishan NE (SRB) will be seeking a three-peat as the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2024 launches with the showpiece Utsunomiya Opener on April 27-28. 

There has been much anticipation over the 13th edition of the World Tour, which will be bigger and better than ever before.

And what better place to start than Utsunomiya, the historical city in Japan that doubles as a favorite 3x3 destination and will host the opener for the third straight year.

This loaded draw features the top 10 ranked teams in the world in what will be a fiercely contested event to ignite the season. 

Ub Huishan NE  won the previous two openers, which set them on their way to dominant seasons. The spectacular Serbs are out to again show they are the best team on the planet.

With their awesome foursome back, led by No.1 player Strahinja Stojacic, No.1 seed Ub headline a tough Pool A featuring Lausanne (SUI) and Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), who both have been in strong form on the pro circuit so far this season. 

But the Swiss and Mongolians will need to stop Stojacic, who has owned the half-court in Utsunomiya with back-to-back MVPs. 

No.2 seed Miami (USA) also bring back their A-Team, who double as Team USA at international level. They are looking to make amends after being a late cut in Utsunomiya 12 months ago. 

Miami will bring the heat to Utsunomiya, especially former NBA player Jimmer Fredette who is ready to make the half-court wet much to the excitement of his legion of fans. 

The Americans face tough tests in Pool B against Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) and San Juan Church's (PUR), whose young guns are out to prove they won't have the second season blues. 

There will be a heavyweight contest in Pool C between No.3 seed Amsterdam (NED) and Partizan (SRB). Buckle up because Dutch hoops legend Worthy de Jong is about to take flight.

Hype Worthy is ready to smash the scoring numbers and he'll go toe-to-toe with Serb Stefan Milivojevic, who is a 3x3 Gladiator. 

Hometown heroes Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN) are hoping to make it much more than a two-horse race and they're a chance to get through to the knockouts if speedy Yosuke Saito can whip the home fans into a frenzy. 

Pool D is highlighted by a mouth-watering clash between Vienna (AUT) and Riffa (BRN), the artists formerly known as Antwerp TOPdesk.

They welcome back Thibaut Vervoort, who is ready to get back to being 'Must See TV' and he'll want to make a statement against a strong Austrian team boasting walking bucket Quincy Diggs. 

The third team from Pool D will come from the qualifying draw featuring a trio of Japanese teams - Saitama ALPHAS EXE (JPN), Shinagawa CC EXE (JPN) and Hiratsuka SEASIDEEXE (JPN). 

FIBA