SINGAPORE - The off-season is finally almost over and we can't wait to get back on the half-court where 3x3's stars are ready to show off what they've been working on in the lab.
The 3x3 international season starts with the now traditional FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025 in glitzy Singapore, which plays host to the biggest event in the region for the fourth straight year.
The best countries from Asia and Oceania will compete in the five-day tournament starting on March 26. To get you amped up, let's take a closer look at several eye-catching teams that neutral fans might just want to throw their support behind.
Australia
The powerhouse nation in the region are the defending champs in both the men's and women's competitions. There have only been seven editions of the tournament, but Australia have won four titles in both genders.
They have also become firm fan favorites, especially their fun-loving women's team known as the 'Gangurrus'. The two-time defending champs have become one of the very best teams in the world, playing with passion but always with a smile on their faces.
And you just know they will be more vengeful than Luka in a Lakers jersey after the Gangurrus had a heart-breaking exit at the Paris Olympics after speedster Lauren Mansfield's injury derailed their medal hopes.
The Gangurrus are led by Anneli Maley, who just recently signed a contract in the WNBA with Los Angeles Sparks, and her partner-in-crime Marena Whittle while don't forget Alex Wilson because she's the reigning MVP.
The Aussie men just can't be overlooked because they rack up Ws at will in this competition. They unleashed dunking machine Will Hickey last year and he jumped higher than a kangaroo with the Wilson in his hand.
Bahrain
It's always exciting when a new country emerges on the half-court and Bahrain is ready to unleash in style as the Middle East nation makes their debut in the Asia Cup. Their men's and women's teams are both in the QD and you can't discount them making giant-killing runs to the main draws.
Bahrain is starting to emerge in 3x3 with locals being inspired by the performance of powerhouse Riffa on the World Tour. Manama, the country's capital, has also become a fixture on the World Tour calendar and this season will host the showpiece World Tour Final for the first time.
Singapore
The fans in Singapore are truly passionate, but they holler the loudest when their national teams step on the half-court. Singapore are usually underdogs in the Asia Cup, but have risen to great heights thanks to the support of their crazy compatriots.
This was never more evident than the stirring run of their men's team in 2023, who showed plenty of passion to advance out of the pool phase and then fought hard to push powerful China in the quarters.
The way they feed off the energy of their fans will make you tempted to jump on Singapore's bandwagon. The men's team are in Pool A, while the women are in Pool C.
Mongolia
Mongolia are one of the most iconic 3x3 nations with the entire nomadic country falling in love with the one-hoop game.
And the Mongolians have saved some of their best ever moments for the half-court with their tough men's team having twice taken the crown, including in 2023 in Singapore when they memorably ended Australia's long winning streak after Anand Ariunbold hit a shot for the ages.
And their women's also have claimed a couple of medals, none more emotional than winning bronze last year when their superstar Khulan Onolbaatar made us all cry after her emotional celebration.
Mongolia leave their blood, sweat and tears on the half-court and they will be one of the main attractions in Singapore.
China
China have been one of the most successful nations at the Asia Cup with their women's team having beaten rival Australia in 2022, while their highly talented men's have won a couple of bronze medals.
The women are also former World Cup champs and long led by former Asia Cup MVP Lily Wang, who wears No.23 for good reason because she's one of China's GOATS. Wang is an icon in her country and also forms a devastating one-two punch with towering ZhiTing Zhang.
We don't know yet who China will bring to Singapore, but you just know they will be in medal contention in both genders.
FIBA