All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Edmonton 2024

EDMONTON (Canada) - The FIBA 3x3 World Tour's sole visit to North America in 2024 was spectacular with the much-loved Edmonton stop taking this gripping season to another level. 

Let's take a closer look at this season's fifth Masters stop played on July 6-7.

Miami have the early running in 2024

Take a look at the updated World Tour standings and Miami (USA) have moved on top after clinching their second title of the season. 

The Americans won two titles last year in their debut season, but Miami have already matched that effort having earlier won the Utsunomiya Opener. 

It wasn't quite home soil for them, but Miami clearly enjoyed not travelling too far as they took care of business in an unbeaten campaign.

After easily making it out of Day One, they had to dig deep against rising Barcelona Panthers (ESP) in the quarters before a beat down of Partizan (SRB) in the semis. 

In a rematch of last season's epic finals at the Cebu Masters and Amsterdam Masters, Miami enjoyed the bragging rights with a tight win as superstar Jimmer Fredette put the finishing touches on an MVP campaign.

With the Paris Olympics around the corner, you knew the former NBA player would be locked in and he dominated the stats to finish No.1 in player-value (49.8). 

He had plenty of support from experienced troopers Canyon Barry and Kareem Maddox, who were also outstanding. The Americans also used the event to tune up for the Olympics in what will be their last major hit-out before Paris.

Top-ranked Ub Huishan NE's (SRB) supremacy has rarely been tested over the last couple of years, but Miami are hot on their heels with all guns blazing. 

 

Vienna are inching closer

The Austrians have not finished lower than fifth from six events this year. But No.4 seed Vienna have not won a title yet although they are inching closer after a runner-up finish in Edmonton. 

After knocking out dangerous San Juan Church's (PUR) on Day One,  the Austrians were probably underdogs against in-form Lausanne (SUI) who made the last two finals on the World Tour. 

In an epic quarter-final, Vienna played lockdown D to shut down the Swiss and then they powered past NY Harlem (USA) in the semis. 

Vienna fell agonizingly short against Miami in what is becoming an intense rivalry, but there was plenty to like as they unleashed a three-headed monster in Enis Murati,  Matthias Linortner and Quincy Diggs. 

You feel a first title in 2024 isn't far away. 

Lausanne have to wait longer

After the heartbreak of losing two epic finals in a row, there was a lot of intrigue over whether Lausanne could finally win a title on the World Tour. 

The task was made harder without Westher Molteni, who has been playing the best ball of his career to be the in-form big man in 3x3. 

But Lausanne still had plenty of depth as they tried to break their drought. A first up loss to Partizan (SRB) put them on the brink before a Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater from Raphael Wilson against Beijing (CHN) lifted them into Day Two. 

 

Lausanne, however, went cold against Vienna in the quarters as their World Tour dreams ended for now. 

They won't have long for redemption with Lausanne competing in the upcoming Almaty Masters. 

Riffa's frustrations on the World Tour continue

Riffa (BRN) are a new team on this season's World Tour, but they are full of brilliant Belgians who have had a lot of success in recent years.

After a bright start in Utsunomiya, where they made the semis, Riffa have struggled on their next three Stops.

For the second time this season, they were knocked out on Day One after losing to Barcelona Panthers and Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL).  

The No.2 seed just couldn't get going with bucket getters Jonas Foerts and Dennis Donkor wayward from deep, combining to shoot 2 of 16. 

Amid such a loaded World Tour, Riffa are in danger of being overtaken and they'll need to regroup quickly. 

 

NY Harlem continue to entertain 

The legendary Americans aren't just OGs. They've still got it having made a strong start to the season capped by a semi-final run in Edmonton. 

The New Yorkers got the crowd on their feet in trademark fashion, especially hugely popular Dominique Jones aka 'Disco Domo' who made the half-court his personal dance floor. 

He combined with hot-shooting Kidani Brutus to lead NY Harlem past Marseille (FRA) and Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy in an impressive campaign. 

They continue to earn hollers from their legion of fans. 

 

Edmonton knows how to put on a show

After a highly successful debut last season, the World Tour was excited to return to Edmonton. And second time around was bigger and better for this historical 3x3 city, which has been a pioneer in developing the half-court game in Canada. 

With fun-loving fans getting into the spirit, the culturally rich capital of Alberta is cementing its place on the World Tour calendar. Oh Canada!

 

FIBA