WUHAN (China) — Paulius Velutis capped a dominant tournament by being named Men’s MVP of the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2026, after leading Lithuania to a second consecutive Men’s title in Wuhan.
Velutis was at the heart of Lithuania’s championship run, producing a series of impactful performances as the defending champions navigated the knockout rounds and held off Latvia 19-18 in a thrilling Final.
Lithuania defeated New Zealand 21-17 in the Quarter-Finals before overcoming Serbia 22-15 in the Semi-Finals. Velutis delivered 11 points against Serbia, including a decisive step-back two-pointer that sealed Lithuania’s place in the Final.
When the pressure peaked against Latvia, Velutis again delivered, scoring nine points as Lithuania held on for a 19-18 victory and successfully defended their U23 World Cup crown.
Throughout the tournament, Velutis amassed 47 total points (third overall) and 26 highlights (second overall). He also recorded 13 drives (second overall) and finished with a 60.9 total player value (third overall).
His all-around production and decisive contributions earned Velutis the MVP trophy, capping a memorable campaign as Lithuania repeated as Men’s U23 World Cup champions.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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