Players to watch at FIBA 3x3 World Tour Lausanne 2024

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - Some of 3x3's best players will be raring to go after a mid-season break, while other stars are still riding high after the Paris Olympics as the FIBA 3x3 World Tour resumes at the Lausanne stop on August 16-17. 

Here are the players you have to watch at the annual stop that takes center stage at the Olympic capital. 

Nico Kaltenbrunner (Vienna)

It's been a while, and there has been plenty going on in 3x3, but this amazing Austrian is the reigning Masters MVP after his heroics at the Almaty Masters. 

The speedy Kaltenbrunner is turning into a superstar before our eyes and he deservedly took home the MVP after finishing third in player-value (45.4).

The 24-year-old can repeatedly blow by defenders and he's ready to go back-to-back in Lausanne. 

 

Stefan Milivojevic (Partizan Meta Force)

This muscular Serb had been quiet on the World Tour until exploding to life with a dominant performance in Almaty, where he finished second in points and player-value. 

He is the barometer for Partizan Meta Force (SRB), who had struggled on the World Tour until a semi-final finish in Almaty that might just turn their season around. 

The dude they call 'The Gladiator' has moved to No.4 on the world rankings and he's ready to continue his surge in Lausanne as well as his cold-blooded instincts in the clutch. 

 

Aurelijus Pukelis (Raudondvaris Hoptrans)

You think the lethal Lithuanian is tired after his heroics in Paris? Think again because Pukelis is still amped up after leading his proud hoops country to bronze in their Olympic 3x3 debut. 

Pukelis was one of the very best players and deservedly named on the Team of the Tournament. The underrated big man will never again fly under the radar and he's ready to continue his hot form on the World Tour - a stage he has dominated for years. 

 

Westher Molteni (Lausanne)

There was a stretch this season when 'King Wes' was royalty on the half-court.

He was arguably the best big man on the half-court after unstoppable two-way performances, including his tour de force in Chengdu when he almost willed Lausanne to their first-ever Masters title. 

Molteni inevitably came back to earth a bit, but he's ready to reach those heady heights on home soil. He always goes flat out to protect his half-court and ensure his fans have the time of their lives. 

Fitting for a king, he's out for the crown in his hometown. 

 

Franck Seguela (Paris)

Talk about being on cloud nine. This Frenchman has been living a dream after helping Les Bleus win silver in Paris in front of an unforgettable crowd. 

He's become a French hero and been serenaded with endless praise ever since. But don't think he's content because this dude has laser focus and ready to continue the momentum. 

Seguela has become a household name in 3x3 and he's raring to go on his return to the World Tour having led Paris to a runner-up finish in Marseille in his only Masters appearance this season. 

 

Antonio Ralat (San Juan Church's)

This sharpshooter slowly heated up in the first half of the season, but he's ready to cook in the business end. 

He's averaging a highly respectable 6.4 ppg on this season's World Tour and hit numerous daggers as has become his trademark.

But Ralat can get to another level because he's shooting 29% from 2 - a figure he can lift considerably if he goes on a heater. If there is a heatwave in Lausanne it will likely be due to Ralat getting on a roll from deep.

 

Natan Jurkovitz (Fribourg)

Lausanne is a happy hunting ground for big fella Natan Jurkovitz, who has long been a crowd favorite in the Swiss city due to his spectacular feats. 

The 29-year-old has lost none of his hops and his explosiveness has ensured that Fribourg has been in hot form on the pro circuit this season. Rest assured that Jurkovitz will again be making the fans go wild like it's 2019 again. 

 

Francis Lacis (Kandava Turiba)

This New Gen Latvian had a breakout on the biggest stage of them - the Olympics where he was a key part in Latvia's semi-final run.

He showcased his intoxicating inside-outside game to leave Paris as one of the hottest prospects in 3x3.

The 6ft. 7in (2m) Lacis had previously been part of Kandava Turiba's semi-run in Ulaanbaatar although his output was modest. With his confidence sky-high, Lacis is ready for another breakout - this time on the World Tour.  

 

FIBA