HONG KONG - After the most spectacular regular season in FIBA 3x3 World Tour history, clearly the biggest and best ever, it's time to decide the crown at the showpiece Hong Kong Final on November 22-24. The talent of the World Tour has been so crazy deep that every team will be dreaming of the title. Here is a reason why each of the 14 teams can take out the World Tour's biggest prize. Ub Huishan NE (SRB): They are still No.1
You think 3x3's GOAT team was done, right? Think again. After a slow start by their incredible standards, Ub finished the regular season strongly having won four of their last eight stops, while it took miracle Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beaters to knock them out of the other four events.
With five titles overall, Ub led by the world's best player Strahinja Stojacic remain No.1 for a reason.
Vienna (AUT): They have dual MVPs
Apart from Ub, Vienna are the only other team who boast multiple MVPs on this season's World Tour. Nico Kaltenbrunner and Quincy Diggs have each proved they can be the best player on the big stage and combined they pack a formidable punch.
Riffa (BRN): Dennis Donkor has gone up a level
We all knew this dude was a defensive menace, but Dennis Donkor has proven to be just as mean on O as on D. He's among the leaders of the major stats to confirm the eye test - Donkor is simply one of the very best players in 2024 who has inspired his team after Riffa's slow start to 2024.
Liman (SRB): Kojic has been cookin'
It's hard to believe but legendary Liman might go through an entire World Tour season without a dub for the first time in almost a decade. But they've remained in contention mostly thanks to the hot shooting all season long of superstar Stefan Kojic, who has never looked better as he moved to second all-time in World Tour scoring.
Amsterdam (NED): They have the most spectacular player It's been an unforgettable 2024 for Worthy de Jong, whose legend was sealed when he claimed the Olympics MVP among a host of accolades. But he wants to finish this momentous season in style and you would be brave to bet against him.
Miami (USA): They have a new Captain America
Miami's hopes appeared forlorn when superstar Jimmer Fredette suffered a season-ending groin injury at the Olympics, but up stepped James Parrott. We knew he was a walking bucket, but he has exceeded all expectations to seamlessly step into Jimmer's big shoes. Having won two MVPs, Parrott is HIM and his hot form makes Miami among the absolute contenders in Miami.
Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU): Kumpys has soared to great heights
Modestas Kumpys is maybe the GOAT in-game dunker. You knew that already. But he's much more than that as he showed in Marseille, where he walked off with his first World Tour MVP. His explosiveness combined with his incredible feel for the game makes him an almost impossible dude to stop.
Paris (FRA): They almost always end up in the final
How's this for a stat - Paris have made the final 6 of 8 stops this season. The downside is that they've only won one title, but Paris clearly know how to make it through tough draws and reach finals. You feel their luck will turn if they once again make it through to the very end in Hong Kong.
Partizan Meta Force (SRB): They have 3x3's Gladiator
We all know Stefan Milivojevic has guns that would make bodybuilders envy. And he puts his muscular physique to good use on the half-court when he turns into 3x3's Gladiator. He's averaging a team-high 6.2 ppg and you just know who really should be headlining Gladiator II because he can make the half-court his personal Colosseum.
Princeton (USA): Caruso is an athletic beast
There might be no one more crazy athletic than Henry Caruso, whose teammates hop on his back and go along for the ride. He's won MVPs on the pro circuit, but has the swagger to do it on the big stage too as he eyes a first title for iconic Princeton at this season-ending tournament.
Lausanne (SUI): Their ceiling is incredibly high
We know attention spans are short these days, but cast your mind back to early in the season and Lausanne was one of the form teams having made the final in back-to-back stops. The Swiss Maestros have stumbled since but we know what they're capable of and a couple of days of magic might just be enough for them to win the big prize.
Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL): They have defensive might
It's been an up-and-down season for everyone's favorite Mongolians, but we all know they have a bucket load of pride. And they also are incredibly hard to score against because of the brute strength and defensive mastery of legends Delgernyam Davaasambuu and Dulguun Enkhbat, who will be extra amped-up in Hong Kong.
Kandava Turiba (LAT): Francis Lacis is the real deal
It's been a breakout for this new lethal Latvian team, who have been led by the 3x3 mad country's latest superstar - Francis Lacis. This dude is clearly not afraid of the limelight having excelled at the Paris Olympics and his confidence will boost Kandava in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong (HKG): Home support might fuel a giant-killing run
Hong Kong enter as underdogs, but they will be motivated by the passionate support of their incredible fans, who might just be able to inspire a run for the ages from their heroes.
FIBA