Liman power to title at FIBA 3x3 Langfang Challenger 2024

LANGFANG (China) - Top seed Liman (SRB) rode an MVP performance from superstar Stefan Kojic to claim the FIBA 3x3 Langfang Challenger 2024 on July 14. 

Here's what happened in the 10th Challenger of the season.

The winner: Liman (SRB)

They were: No.1 most points & best shooting value

Legendary Liman just keeps collecting titles. The Serbs still have the hunger and have now won two titles in their last three events on the pro circuit. 

It wasn't easy with Liman tested from the get go against talented young Germans St Pauli (GER), but their experience and poise under pressure was a recurring theme during an unbeaten campaign. 

After easily overcoming a three-man Sansar (MGL) in the quarters, Liman were pushed to the brink by Wuxi WenLv (CHN) in the semis. Kojic was unstoppable with a game-high 10 points, but it was Aleksa Stojanovic who called game with the two-point buzzer beater. 

Kojic had plenty of support from Dusan Popovic as they combined for 15 points to lead Liman past Princeton (USA) in a gripping final. It was sweet revenge after Liman had lost to the iconic American team in the quarter-finals at the Chengdu Masters. 

The legendary Kojic just keeps getting better and he walked off with the MVP after pouring in a leading 44 points and he finished second overall in player-value (59.5). 

 

 The runner-up: Princeton (USA)

The Americans have been in good form this season, but were determined to rebound after an early exit at the Edmonton Masters. 

They arrived on a mission and laid the smackdown on Dundgol Broncos (MGL) in their opener.

Princeton were in the zone and rolled through the competition en route to the final with knockout victories over Chongming (CHN) and Beijing (CHN) to silence the Chinese fans. 

They fell agonizingly short of a second title of the season, but there is a lot to like about Princeton.

Austin Butler has the swagger on the half-court befitting his Hollywood name as this emerging 3x3 star finished No.1 in player-value (67.8) and second in points (41). 

He combined brilliantly with the explosive Henry Caruso as Princeton returned to top form. 

The Final: Liman 21-Princeton 19

There was a lot of interest in this rematch from Chengdu with the confident Americans hoping to continue having the bragging rights. 

Big fella Marko Stevanovic feasted inside the paint as Liman got the early jump, but red-hot Austin Butler responded for Princeton with a couple of strong drives to the rack. 

Butler continued to be unstoppable before Liman went bang, bang from deep to edge ahead. 

Liman's momentum continued through a two-handed jam from Stevanovic, but Princeton would not roll over. Butler exploded to the rim for the furious one-handed dunk and his partner-in-crime Henry Caruso also stuffed the rim as this final went down to the wire. 

Liman turned to their talisman Stefan Kojic and he delivered with a two-ball only for Caruso to come right back with consecutive twos. Butler then took over with three straight points for his team as Princeton were on the brink of the title with a 19-17 lead. 

But Dusan Popovic became the hero for his team with the last four points of the game as Liman celebrated sweet success. 

 

The reward: Three tickets to the Shanghai Masters

Liman, Princeton and Beijing booked their spots to the Shanghai Masters on September 21-22.

Final Standings:
1. Liman (SRB)
2. Princeton (USA)
3. Beijing (CHN)
4. Wuxi WenLv (CHN)
5. Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) 

Top Scorers:
1.  Stefan Kojic (Liman, SRB) 44 pts
2.  Austin Butler (Princeton, USA) 41 pts
3. Henry Caruso (Princeton, USA) 34 pts
4. Fabian Giessmann (St Pauli, GER) 33 pts
5. Ning Zhang (Beijing, CHN) 31 pts

Key Stats:
- Emerging superstar Fabian Giessmann had a standout quarter-final with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 8 highlights, but St Pauli (GER) fell short to Beijing. 
- Andrew Kelly dominated Dundgol Broncos (MGL) with a triple-five of 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 highlights in a Day One win for Wuxi WenLv (CHN). 
- Princeton's 21-5 beatdown of Dundgol Broncos on Day One was the fastest game of the tournament at 5'52" of playing time.

FIBA