BANGKOK (Thailand) - The historic FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup lived up to the hype and launched 2025 in spectacular fashion on March 14-16.
Let's recap 3x3's new tournament of champions.
Serbia make early season statement
Serbia don't have fond memories of 2024. They lost their Europe Cup crown in heartbreak and, even worse, had an early exit at the Paris Olympics - the event they had circled for years.
Some people questioned whether this great 3x3 power's undisputed dominance was waning and there was a lot of intrigue over how they would fare in Bangkok to start 2025. Serbia blooded some new players with Stefan Milivojevic, Nenad Nerandzic and Marko Milakovic and it proved a wise call with the New Gen stepping up superbly.
Milivojevic has become a star on the World Tour in recent seasons, but proved he could be a Gladiator on the half-court at international level with an MVP performance. He was spectacular with 36 points overall, including 10 points in the final against Olympic gold medalist Netherlands as he stared down superstar Worthy de Jong.
Serbia are back in business and that is a scary thought for opponents.
Canada proved their favoritism
As a pioneering 3x3 women's nation, Canada deserved their status as title favorites having finished 2024 with victory at the AmeriCup.
They lived up to top billing with an unbeaten run punctuated by thrilling victories over Australia and Spain at the business end. Paige Crozon and Katherine Plouffe, stalwarts for Canada, were bucket getters as expected but it was towering Saicha Grant-Allen who stole the show with an MVP performance.
She finished No.1 in points (32) and player value (40.7) as the title-winning players were singing 'Oh Canada' by the end of the tournament.
Netherlands and Spain win more medals
They might have fallen short to rival Serbia in a gripping final, but the Netherlands finished with the consolation of silver and demonstrated why they remain one of the very best teams on the planet.
Perhaps 2024 can never be replicated, but the Dutch Masters are now addicted to winning and also providing plenty of entertainment - especially de Jong, who was 'Hype Worthy' as usual with jaw-dropping moves to finish on the Team of the Tournament.
Europe Cup champs and Olympic silver medalist Spain also claimed another medal after a narrow loss to Canada in the final. The Spaniards had balanced contributions, but Cecilia Muhate stood out with her two-way effort.
Double bronze delight for Australia
We don't get to see Australia too often on the world stage. But whenever we do, they usually win medals. This was no exception with Australia the only nation to win medals in both men's and women's competitions.
Success in the women's was expected with the Gangurrus being one of the dominant teams in recent seasons. They had a new-look team, but athletic marvel Anneli Maley was a familiar face and a rebounding machine as she led with trademark pride and passion.
Young gun Miela Goodchild picked up the scoring to finish on the Team of the Tournament as Australia clinched bronze with a tense victory over Olympic gold medalist Germany.
The men's Aussie team came into the tournament as an unknown with a mostly different team to the ones that have dominated the Asia Cup over the years. Rising star Alex Higgins-Titsha had a breakout and was key in Australia's 21-20 upset over USA in the bronze medal game.
Bangkok was an amazing destination
Where to play this amazing concept, pitting champions vs champions? World famous Bangkok, of course, which came alive for a three-day party in the renowned Asian city of revelry.
The fans were passionate and the atmosphere electric, especially when the Thailand women's balled out and they created a memory of a lifetime with an upset of powerhouse France on day one.
FIBA