Everything you need to know before FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2023

LUBLIN (Poland) - The best young 3x3 players are ready to light up the big stage of the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2023 on September 27-October1. 

Let's take a closer look at all the main details of this major youth event's fourth edition, which will be played for the first time in the historic Polish city of Lublin. 

Where can I watch the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup?

The action runs from September 27 - October 1, and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Sina Weibo pages.

Who is competing in Lublin? What are the pools?

There are 20 men's and 20 women's teams competing in Lublin

Men's

Pool A: Mongolia, Czechia, Netherlands, China, Chile
Pool B: France, Poland, Austria Romania, Benin
Pool C: Germany, Israel, Qatar, Tunisia, Kenya
Pool D: Lithuania, Japan, Italy, Egypt, USA

Women

Pool A: China, USA, Netherlands, Kenya, Austria
Pool B: Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Tunisia, Greece
Pool C: France, Egypt, Italy, Thailand, Hungary
Pool D: Japan, Mongolia, Czechia, Romania, Chile

Who are the favorites?

In the men's, France arrive with a team scarier than the hit horror film Talk To Me. Les Bleus have crazy talent coming through the system and the FIBA 3x3 Nations League Final 2023 champs have again loaded up.

They will have to fight for the crown in fierce competition, including top seeds Mongolia led by Munkhtur Khureltogoo and Munkhtur Khureltogoo, who have caught the eye on this season's pro circuit. 

European powers Germany, Netherlands and Austria appear title threats, so too Asian heavies Japan and China. 

Of course, we just can't forget hoops power USA, who will unleash 22-year-old excitement machine Bryce Wills. This dude is a dynamo and has already had a taste of the pro circuit with top American team Miami. 

 

The women's draw is similarly stacked with USA and China to meet in the pool stages in a rematch of last year's tense semi-final, where the Americans prevailed before losing to France.

Defending champs France often make other teams jealous due to their long line of talent at all levels. They'll be a strong chance to go back-to-back though there are plenty of other contenders.

The Netherlands want to go even further than their bronze medal run last year and boast dynamic Zoe Slagter, while Germany, Asian power Japan and African queens Egypt are also looking to make noise.

Who are the players to watch?

Buckle up because exciting Denzel Agyeman is a dunk machine at every level he plays and the athletic German is ready to put defenders on posters. 

France's New Gen have already made noise with Matheo Cauwet and Lorenzo Thirouard-Samson starring for Marseille on the pro circuit with the latter part of his country's bronze medal run at last year's event. 

It seems hard to believe that Nico Kaltenbrunner is just 23 years old because the speedster has been dominating the pro circuit for some time for powerhouse Vienna. 

 

Michal Lis will be aiming to feed off the energy of the local fans as he attempts to win a second straight gold medal. He might just be the Pole who steals the show. 

Nesta Agasi is something of a 3x3 unicorn and you don't want to miss this emerging Dutch Master show off his insane skill on the half-court. 

In the women's, towering Xinyan Hong was a key part of China's runner-up performance at the Nations League Final and she's also lit up the Women's Series at stages. 

Former 3x3 U18 World Cup Aquira DeCosta will be back for USA in Lublin. Remember that crazy shamgod?  

 

The imposing 6ft. 2in (1.88m) Marie Reichert will be the key for Germany's title hopes and she's already built a wealth of experience, including being part of her country's quarter-final run at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023. 

And there's a name you might just have heard of - Eve Wembanyama, the older sister of No.1 NBA Draft pick Victor Wembanyama. Who else do you think taught the new San Antonio Spurs center his bag of tricks?

 

FIBA