ABU DHABI (UAE) - The World Tour added another incredible chapter at the FIBA 3x3 Abu Dhabi Masters after a dazzling stop on October 26-27.
Here's all we learned from the 13th stop of 2024.
Hype Worthy makes statement as Amsterdam gets back to business
Superstar Strahinja Stojacic had the crown firmly nestled on his head after spectacular recent performances. But you just knew his main rival had the eye of the tiger as he arrived in Abu Dhabi.
And sure enough, Paris Olympics MVP Worthy de Jong was pumped up to inspire Amsterdam (NED) to their second triumph of the season. De Jong walked home with his second MVP of his brilliant season after finishing second overall in points (37) and player value (45.5).
De Jong, unfortunately, didn't cross paths with Stojacic but laid the smack down on all comers, including a ridiculous scoring binge of 15 points against Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) on Day One.
He was 'Hype Worthy' all tournament long to ensure the battle for the crown remains well and truly alive.
Parrott has become Miami's main man
Some ruled a line through Miami (USA) after the season-ending injury to former NBA player Jimmer Fredette.
But the Americans remain firmly a contender because they have the best possible replacement for Fredette with James Parrott showing why he is HIM.
He is a certified bucket getter, making it look so easy on the half-court. Parrott had the highest player-value (50.2) in Abu Dhabi to lead Miami to the final.
Parrott proved he lives for the big moments after ending Ub Huishan NE's (SRB) hot streak in incredible fashion with a Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater from way downtown.
Miami still boast several Olympians in their squad, but it is the hot shooting of Parrott that gives them their best shot of collecting more dubs in 2024.
Ub seemingly only lose in crazy fashion
In their last eight stops on the World Tour, Ub have won four titles. In Almaty, Ub reached the final despite playing with only three players throughout the tournament.
In Shanghai, Ub were knocked out by a two-piece Maurice Lacroix Buzzer by Riffa's Jonas Foerts. And it was almost deja vu in Wuxi when Ub were eliminated in the semis by a crazy two from Vienna's Enis Murati.
Once again it took another insane Maurice Lacroix Buzzer to knock them out. This time it was Parrott who launched the hardest shot of those game-winners as Miami ensured there would be no three-peat of titles for Ub.
Ub will be disappointed, but should be content knowing that only miraculous shots are taking them down. And they still did produce outrageous moments in Abu Dhabi, none more so than Strahinja Stojacic's sick reverse jam in the face of Westher Molteni.
Lausanne have gone off the boil
After back-to-back runner-up finishes earlier in the season, it appeared a matter of time before Lausanne (SUI) would finally end their World Tour title drought.
But those painful defeats perhaps have scarred the Swiss Maestros, who have gone off the boil as the season has worn on.
They have not progressed past the quarters in six stops since, including an early exit in Abu Dhabi after being thrashed by Ub followed by a close loss to Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL).
Lausanne need to rediscover their purple patch from earlier in the year otherwise they are going to be overrun at the business end of the season.
Awesome Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi holds a special place in World Tour history. The glitzy UAE capital has hosted the World Tour Final three times before and also a couple of Masters events.
It has been the site of many famous 3x3 games, dunk contests and epic individual performances.
A memorable latest chapter was written for Abu Dhabi which is an iconic 3x3 host able to seamlessly combine sports and entertainment to capture the essence of this half-court game.
FIBA