DEQING (China) - After a dominant run at the Abu Dhabi Masters, top seed Amsterdam (NED) will look to continue their title-winning form at the FIBA 3x3 Deqing Challenger 2024 on November 2-3.
Let's take a closer look at the 22nd and final Challenger of 2024. The Favorites
We just have to start with Amsterdam (NED), who are the No.1 seed for a reason. No team in the draw has the firepower of the Dutch Masters led by Abu Dhabi MVP Worthy de Jong, who won't shoulder all the scoring load because he can share the Wilson with flame throwers Bryan Alberts and Julian Jaring.
Amsterdam might be on a collision course with No.2 Princeton (USA), who are led by dynamic Henry Caruso. The legendary American team fell agonizingly short of a second season title at the Taipei Challenger, but you just know they'll be extra pumped up.
Two of the most exciting young teams are in the draw. Kandava Turiba (LAT) are the latest Latvian team making their mark with Francis Lacis proving that he is the real deal.
While St Pauli (GER) already have a title under their belt and are quickly rising the ranks as young superstar Denzel Agyeman becomes one of the hottest young prospects on the pro circuit.
The Field
There are other teams more than capable of going on deep runs. Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN) are not necessarily a dark horse because they are the No.4 seed and boast speedy Yosuke Saito.
Wuxi WenLv (CHN) have had a fuse lit under them recently with the arrival of DeMarcus Cousins. The former NBA superstar might not be playing, but the swagger he has instilled should be evident and in Deqing they've got a reliable bucket getter in Andrew Kelly.
Excitement is building for Mandaluyong (PHI) with 3x3 diehard Filipinos always getting behind their teams, while Montreux (SUI) have proven they can mix it with the best in the business.
Pools Pool A: Amsterdam (NED), Mandaluyong (PHI), Montreux (SUI) Pool B: Princeton (USA), Ermont SENEF (FRA), Hong Kong (HKG) Pool C: Kandava Turiba (LAT), Wuxi WenLv (CHN), Jingjiang (CHN) Pool D: Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN), St Pauli (GER), QD What's at stake The top 3 teams in Taipei will qualify for the Shenzhen Masters on November 16-17, 2024, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour. How to watch The two-day extravaganza is on November 2-3 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube page.
FIBA