Everything You Need to Know About the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2024

DEBRECEN (Hungary) -  With a glimpse of what they might become in the future, and with the 3x3 Olympic tournament still fresh in everyone’s memory, the young stars of 3x3 basketball are taking center stage for the 11th edition of the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup.

Where can I watch the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup?

The event will be played between August 26th and 30th at the already famous Kossuth Tér in Debrecen, Hungary, which is hosting a 3x3 extravaganza for the 10th consecutive year.

You can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube,

Who is competing in Debrecen?

There are 20 men's and 20 women's teams competing in Debrecen.

What are the pools?

Men’s
Pool A: United States, Egypt, Brazil, Spain, Morocco
Pool B: Thailand, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia, Benin
Pool C: Germany, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Slovenia, Hungary
Pool D: Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, France, Uganda, Sri Lanka

Women’s
Pool A: Thailand, Ukraine, Mexico, Benin, Morocco
Pool B: Germany, France, Turkmenistan, Spain, Hungary
Pool C: Kyrgyzstan, Japan, India, China, Uganda
Pool D: Poland, Egypt, Latvia, New Zealand, United States

Men’s favorites

In the men’s competition, Croatia is bringing the full championship roster from the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup 2023 and is looking to upgrade its silverware to a world level. France is a perennial favorite, having been part of the medal ceremony in all five of their participations in the competition so far. Spain will certainly be seeking revenge for their dramatic loss to Croatia in last year’s FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup final.

The United States is returning to the U18 World Cup after missing last year’s edition and is chasing their first title since 2021. Meanwhile, Egypt, currently at the top of the Federation Ranking for U18, will try to become the first African team to win a World Cup.

New Zealand and Qatar have previously gone all the way to the title, with the Tall Blacks having won two trophies, so it would be unwise to underestimate them.

Women’s favorites

You could easily be fooled by the seeding, as the USA is coming in last in Debrecen. But this team is led by Sarah Strong, who knows a thing or two about winning in Debrecen, having raised the trophy twice in a row in 2022 and 2023. With three newcomers on the 3x3 stage, they’ll probably be difficult to scout, so they might fly under the radar in their quest for a seventh consecutive title and ninth overall.

France is bringing back half of the roster that won the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup last year, just like their rivals Germany, whom they defeated on their way to the trophy last year in Heraklion, Crete. So, grab your popcorn, as these two will face each other right from the pool phase.

After winning gold at the inaugural edition and adding three more medals along the way, Spain will try to become only the third nation with at least two titles in the women’s competition, alongside the USA and France.

Players to watch

Roko Cetina, the MVP and second-top scorer of last year’s European clash, will try to prove once again that he is one of the future stars of 3x3. He has plenty of offensive weapons, plus a full tank of determination.

The only player who scored more points than Cetina in the Europe Cup was Alexandre Hugets Carrasco from Spain. He will certainly come back even hungrier after his team fell short by just one possession in the final game.

Lana Petiteau and Celine Ricco, who heavily contributed to last year’s European U17 title for France, will continue their chase for supremacy on the world stage. Both scored at least 19 points on the way to the title, and they are a nightmare for every defender.

They will meet some familiar faces right from the pool stage. Germany’s Marija Ilic, the second-top scorer in the FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup last year, together with Johanna Hupertz, are another one-two punch ready to leave everything on the court.

Sarah Strong is returning to Debrecen for the third time, and she will be fun to watch as she adds even more 3x3 experience to her natural talent and skills.