All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Wuxi 2024

WUXI (China) - It was an unforgettable FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Wuxi complete with epic games and a former NBA superstar taking center stage.

Let's recap all the action from the 10th stop played on October 1-2. 

Diggs steps in seamlessly for Vienna

Vienna's title plans in Shanghai were scuppered when superstar Nico Kaltenbrunner was unable to play due to a knee injury leaving them with just three players. 

They inevitably crashed in the quarters and Kaltenbrunner was unable to recover in time for Wuxi. No Nico, no worries because up stepped Quincy Diggs who submitted an MVP performance to finish No.1 in player-value (61.3) and points (36). 

But he had plenty of help with sniper Enis Murati hitting two-piece Maurice Laxcroix Buzzer Beaters to down top seed Ub Huishan NE (SRB) in the semis and Amsterdam (NED) in an epic final. 

Toni Blazan and Fabio Sohnel complemented the scoring machines with their lockdown defense to underline this well put together team. Their defense in the crazy finish against Amsterdam helped keep them alive before Murati's mic drop. 

The triumph sat neatly with their triumph in Almaty as Vienna made a statement in the final stretch of the season. 

 

Amsterdam's hot two-point shooting fuels deep run

Sniper Arvin Slagter was the only Olympic gold medalist in the line-up, but that didn't stop these Dutch Masters from getting within an inch of their second title on this season's World Tour. 

Amsterdam's game plan was simple, but deadly. With a slew of knock down shooters, they decided to focus on two-pointers and it worked spectacularly with Amsterdam shooting a tournament best 45% from deep. 

Bryan Alberts was electric from downtown and shot the lights out with an insane 12 of 23 from 2s, while Slagter and Maarten Bouwknecht also buried eight shots apiece from deep. 

It was a strategy that worked wonders against Wuxi WenLv (CHN), as they withstood a pounding from DeMarcus 'Boogie' Cousins to prevail in a semi-final classic. 

Maybe 'Boogie's' physical punishment wore them down as Amsterdam came up cold in the clutch in the final, but they can be well pleased with another strong performance. 

 

Boogie's World Tour debut was jaw-dropping

There was so much anticipation for 'Boogie' Cousins' World Tour debut and the former NBA superstar did not disappoint. 

He single-handedly led hometown heroes Wuxi WenLv on a deep run as the 6ft.10in (2.08m) beast bulldozed through hapless defenders. Cousins topped the scoring charts with 46 points in four games, including an insane 15 of his team's 19 points in the semi against Amsterdam. 

His raw strength and athleticism was evident as he proved absolutely unstoppable in the paint with his teammates wisely feeding him the ball at almost every opportunity. 

In a scary prospect for opponents, there are areas for improvement as Cousins adjusts to the fast and furious pace of 3x3. His two-point shooting was off, while he was at times a defensive liability as he struggled to guard players on the perimeter. 

But it was an impressive start from arguably the biggest name that has ever stepped foot on the half-court. Beware, the former four-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist is hungry to flat out dominate 3x3 and we just can't wait to see him return. 

 

Ub had a tough Chinese swing 

They are always judged to impossibly high standards. But that's the curse of being the GOAT team as Ub Huishan NE's fruitless Chinese swing was capped when they lost a heartbreaker to Vienna in the semis. 

To be fair, Ub aren't doing a lot wrong. In Shanghai, they lost in similar circumstances when Jonas Foerts drilled a two to lift eventual champion Riffa to a dub. 

It's more reflective of the increased level of the World Tour as Ub's A-Team could not get it done in Wuxi despite Marko Brankovic and superstar Strahinja Stojacic producing crazy plays. 

Ub still have been ultra successful with two titles and five straight semi-final finishes on the World Tour. But they no longer have that sheen of invincibility that we're used to. 

 

Wuxi is another amazing Chinese 3x3 destination

After a spectacular event in Shanghai, Wuxi was a superb double act with the event nestled in the eye-catching setting of Wuxi Yeashang Outlets.

The venue was lit and the passionate fans loud as Wuxi cements itself as a memorable World Tour location having also played host 12 months ago. 

Wuxi had everything and we can't wait to be back.

FIBA