China eyeing home win at FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Chengdu Stop 2024

Chengdu (China) - Top seeded China look to shine at home in their first appearance of the season at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Chengdu Stop 2024 on June 21 - 22.

THE FAVORITES

China make their first appearance in the W series this season, and if last season is anything to go by, they will look to make a statement at Chengdu. 

Though without star Lili Wang, they’ll have no shortage of star power to handle business. ZhiTing Zhang was the go-to scoring option for the team alongside Lili Wang, with few being able to contend with her paint presence. She will have Mingling Chen to bolster their position inside the arc. The team has a ton of outside scoring potential as well with the likes of Yujie Chen and Ji Yuan Wan. 

China will look to mark themselves in the competition early as they field a side capable of doing so. 

There is however, the matter of Australia, a team not short on history with the Chinese. Facing each other numerous times, from the Asia Cup to high stakes games at the World Cup, the two will butt heads once again in Group Play. 

It will be the same side taking to court that took home Gold at the 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, with Marena Whittle, Alex Wilson. Lauren Mansfield and Anneli Maley. The Gangurrus have proven to be a machine of a team, flowing superbly together with numerous offensive options. Wilson brings the defensive grit and hustle that ties them well. 

It’s going to be intense Group action in Pool A. They’ll be joined by Thailand in Singapore. 

THE FIELD

Mongolia were on-fire in Ulaanbaatar, taking home the stop win earlier this season. The same side will take to court in Chengdu where they’ll hoop to repeat their heroics. 

Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene was immense on both ends of the floor while Bulbul Murat was the playmaking hub for the Mongolians. Narangoo Erdenebayan was a key versatile piece for them while Khulan Onolbaatar proved to be the leader, taking over for them whenever needed while constantly putting up clutch plays. 

One side that made waves last season were Düsseldorf ZOOS, proving to be a lethal side who in their day, can be borderline unguardable.

Ama Degbeon was monstrous on both ends of the floor, while Aoi Katsura marshalled their offense. Yuka Maeda and Jenny Crowder have proven themselves to be capable of catching fire as well. They’re a side to watch out for in Chengdu. 

POOL PHASE

POOL A

China, Australia, Thailand, Singapore

POOL B

Düsseldorf ZOOS (GER), Mongolia, Romania, Wuhan Sandra (CHN)

HOW TO WATCH

The two-day extravaganza goes down on June 21-22 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.