What's next for 3x3 after an exciting FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023?
And breathe! The Vienna FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 is in the books, and it was by far the biggest 3x3 event of the year.
VIENNA (Austria) - … And breathe! The Vienna FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 is in the books, and it was the best edition of the event we’ve ever seen and by far the biggest 3x3 event of the year.
If the post-World Cup blues is itching at you, no fret, 3x3 basketball continues and in style.
Here’s what to look forward to in the world of 3x3 in 2023.
FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023
It is back, and it’s bigger than ever. The FIBA 3x3 World Tour kicked off in Utsunomiya in April with two legs of the tour already wrapped up.
Following their heroics in Vienna, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that World No.1 Ub Huishan NE consisting of World Cup champions Strahinja Stojacic, Dejan Majstorovic and Marko Brankovic have dominated, winning both legs in Utsunomiya and Manila respectively.
While it’s always entertaining to watch the Serbs work their magic on the court, the competition is fierce. World Cup stars like Worthy De Jong, Thibaut Vervoort, the Latvian duo of Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis among countless others will take to the court all year to vie for victory against steep opposition.
It all culminates on December 9 - 10 in the World Tour Final.
The next leg takes place in Marseille on June 30 - June 1. There are also numerous challengers to look forward to, with the next one going down on June 10 in Clermont-Ferrand.
FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series 2023
The women’s side of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 in Vienna had us hyped, and if you haven’t been keeping up with the Women’s Series already, now you know just what to expect in this competition.
The unprecedented 23-leg event started in Wuhan, China early in May followed by Astara, Azerbaijan later in the month. Both times, it was China who came away victorious. Carrying on that momentum into Vienna, it seemed like no team had the answer to stop the Chinese women. Unfortunately, it was an injury to their star Yi Zhang that dampened their hopes of progressing in the competition, barely missing out on a medal spot.
One team that did get a medal and has been consistently excellent in the Women’s Series has been Australia, led by Lauren Mansfield as they came away as Runners-up in Wuhan.
It doesn’t just end there, teams like Germany, Japan and Egypt quickly became fan favorites during the World Cup, all having countless moments in the Women’s Series that makes the event essential viewing.
It all leads up to the finale in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on September 16-17.
Continental tournaments
The action continues all around the world with continental action already underway. FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023 took place early April in Singapore with Mongolia emerging victorious on the men’s side and Australia reigning their excellence to win on the women’s side.
The FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2023 returns on September 5-7 with the event taking place in Jerusalem, Israel. Surprising no one, the dominant Serbian side will be favorites along with the French women after finishing as Runners-up in Vienna.
Cairo, Egypt will be the site of the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2023 as it takes place November 27-December 3. Madagascar and Egypt will be favorites to win it all, perhaps recreating a repeat of last year’s final. On the women’s side, Egypt will be seen as the team to beat as they have garnered tremendous fanfare in Vienna.
The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2023 goes down in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December 1 - 3. Competition will be furious on both sides with World Cup 2023 silver medalists USA being favorites. Brazil however, have risen in the ranks and will be a threat come December. On the women’s side, Canada will be looking to repeat, but not before challenging the 2023 World Cup gold medalists in team USA.
Big stakes 3x3 basketball all year round.
Youth Cups
The biggest young prospects in the world of 3x3 will be taking to the court this year yet again as the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023 takes place August 30 - September 3. Moreover, the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2023 taking place on September 27 - October 1.
That’s the best part about 3x3, it keeps on giving. The 10-minute sprint is a marathon at the same time as the sport takes over, keeping us glued in all year.