France men and China's women unveiled as tops seeds at FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024

ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Some of the world's brightest young stars will travel to 3x3 crazy Mongolia for the much-anticipated FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024 on September 11-15. 

The fifth edition of the yearly showpiece competition boasts 40 teams - 20 per gender - with the title holders being USA (men's) and the Netherlands (women's). 

In the men's, France have top billing and headline Pool A featuring Egypt, Spain, Ukraine and Algeria.

The Frenchmen will be looking for their first tournament title and their prospects look good if confident young gun Matheo Cauwet gets going. 

No.2 seed China will unleash explosive Wei Zhang, who are in a tough Pool B also featuring Netherlands, Mongolia, Japan and Benin. The Dutch loom as a title threat with their youngsters no doubt still inspired by the Olympic deeds of their countrymen. 

Pool C is highlighted by energetic Germany, who boast excitement machines Denzel Agyeman and Fabian Giessmann. The Germans will face an Israel team led by dynamic Shoham Gat, while Italy, New Zealand and Argentina should not be underestimated. 

Pool D looms as the 'Group of Death' with defending champs USA pitted against European powers Lithuania and Latvia, while Chile and Kenya round out the group. 

In the women's, a strong China have top billing and they loom as a formidable force with bucket getter Xinyu Wang becoming her mighty country's latest sensation. 

China are in Pool A alongside Hungary, Ukraine, Austria and Benin. 

Hoops power USA are looking for their first tournament title, but will have to get through Japan, Spain, Italy and New Zealand. 

Germany appear among the favorites and will be led by Olympic gold medalists Marie Reichert and Elisa Mevius, who are hungry for more silverware.

The No.3 seed face a Pool C blockbuster against Mongolia, whose hopes rest with scoring machine Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene. Poland, Israel and Kenya are also in the group. 

France loom as a title contender because Eve Wembanyama is a certified baller. Who else taught her younger bro Victor those crazy moves?

The Frenchwomen face a mouth-watering clash against defending champs Netherlands, while Egypt, Chile and Uganda are also in Pool D. 

FIBA