ANTWERP (Belgium) – Noortje Driessen of the Netherlands capped a dominant FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 campaign by being named the Most Valuable Player after leading the Dutch women to back-to-back European titles.

Driessen was the driving force behind the Netherlands’ successful title defense, leading the entire tournament in both scoring and player value as the Dutch once again claimed continental supremacy.

The Netherlands star finished with a tournament-best 44 points and 50.7 player value, while also topping the competition in highlights (19), free throws made (11) and drives (16).

Her all-around dominance proved crucial as the Netherlands navigated the pressure of defending their FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 crown and ultimately returned to the top of preoverbial the European podium.

Driessen’s consistency and ability to create in a variety of ways made her one of the defining players of the tournament, with her performances providing the spark the Dutch needed throughout their run.

After completing the title defense, Driessen credited the team’s collective work and chemistry for their success.

“We had a really good summer. Last year, we won the gold medal, and I think that’s just our main goal for this tournament because we know what we can do,” Driessen said. “We practice so much together. We all have our own role. Every player on this team is so talented. With the hard work we put in, it’s going pretty good.”

Driessen was joined in the Women’s Team of the Tournament by Spain’s Txell Alarcón and Azerbaijan’s Brianna Fraser, who played key roles in guiding their nations to podium finishes.

For Driessen, the MVP honor provides the perfect individual recognition for a tournament in which she combined elite production with the ultimate team achievement: another Europe Cup gold medal.

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.

FIBA

SHANGHAI (China) – France (FRA) ended their wait for a FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 stop victory in emphatic fashion, defeating Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 22-14 in the Final to claim the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 on September 6.

After finishing first in the three-way tie in Pool A on Day 1, France delivered when it mattered most, defeating Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) in the Semi-Finals before overcoming Rapid in the championship game to secure their first Women’s Series stop win of the season — and the biggest one at that.

The victory also marked France’s third FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series season title, following their previous triumphs in 2019 and 2024.

Finishing the job

France entered the knockout rounds as Pool A winners after going 2-1 on Day 1 and topping the three-way tie on total points.

They then faced a tough Neftchi SOCAR side in the Semi-Finals. The contest was physical and low-scoring from the outset, with the two teams tied 2-2 early. France gradually established control, moving ahead 7-3 midway through the game before Neftchi fought back.

Brianna Fraser, who had suffered an early injury, returned to the court and helped keep Neftchi within striking distance. But Laetitia Guapo continued to make an impact for France, helping her team maintain an 11-8 advantage with under two minutes remaining.

Marie Mané then delivered the decisive blow, hitting a big two-pointer to put France ahead 15-11. Fraser answered with another two-pointer, but France held on for a 15-13 victory and a place in the Final.

Awaiting them was Rapid Bucharest, who had swept Pool B before defeating Netherlands 18-14 in their Semi-Final.

France control Final

The championship game began as a tight affair, with France holding a narrow 4-3 advantage early.

France then began to pull away. They extended their lead to 6-3 before taking control midway through the game at 10-5. Rapid struggled to generate consistent offense as France did an excellent job containing Marta Miščenko inside.

France continued to hold the advantage, moving ahead 13-7 with four minutes remaining and eventually building a 16-12 lead with under three minutes to play.

Rapid refused to go quietly. Hortense Limouzin missed three free throws as France maintained a 16-12 advantage, but Rapid stayed alive when they cut the deficit to 16-14 with a minute remaining.

France responded immediately. Marie-Eve Paget knocked down a crucial two-pointer to restore a four-point cushion before Guapo added a free throw to make it 19-14. France closed out the championship from there, eventually securing a 22-14 victory. Paget added a buzzer-beating two-pointer to put the finishing touches on France’s title triumph.

The victory made both Guapo and Paget three-time FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series winners, having also been part of the France teams that won in 2019 and 2024.

Guapo named MVP

Guapo was at the heart of France’s championship run and was rewarded with the MVP award. The French star finished the Project Redwings Shanghai Final ranked second in total player value with 38.2, while also grabbing 22 rebounds, third-most in the tournament, and scoring 30 points, good for fourth overall.

Her all-around contribution proved decisive as France navigated two difficult knockout games and ultimately lifted the championship trophy.

Young Talent’s Laura Award

Beijing’s (CHN) Li Ruoying was named the winner of the Young Talent’s Laura Award, recognizing the best U25 player of the Shanghai Final. Despite Beijing’s campaign, Li and her teammates fought through to the knockout stage and provided one of the home crowd’s standout stories.

Final Standings

1. France (FRA)
2. Rapid Bucharest (ROU)
3. Netherlands (NED)
4. Neftchi SOCAR (AZE)
5. Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL)
6. Beijing (CHN)
7. China (CHN)
8. Germany (GER)

What’s Next?

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 season has come to an end, with France lifting the Project Redwings Shanghai Final title to cap another action-packed campaign.

Attention now turns to 2027, with the next FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series season set to bring another opportunity for teams, players and federations to build momentum and strengthen their position on the road toward the LA 28 Olympic Games.

For France, the Shanghai triumph provides another major boost to a program that has now captured its third Women’s Series season championship. With Laetitia Guapo, Marie-Eve Paget and their teammates finishing the season on top, the French will head into the offseason with plenty of confidence.

The rest of the field will now have a chance to recharge before beginning preparations for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2027 and another season of high-level 3×3 basketball action.

###

About FIBA 3×3

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

With a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series, respectively) and national-team competitions. 3×3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Wilson is the Global Ball Partner and Fourteen the official Apparel Partner of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.

FIBA 3×3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks, the Magic Sky canopy and the Avant seating system.

For further information about 3×3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3×3 accounts on Douyin, Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3×3@fiba.basketball.

FIBA

SHANGHAI (China) – France (FRA) ended their wait for a FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 stop victory in emphatic fashion, defeating Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 22-14 in the Final to claim the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 on September 6.

After finishing first in the three-way tie in Pool A on Day 1, France delivered when it mattered most, defeating Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) in the Semi-Finals before overcoming Rapid in the championship game to secure their first Women’s Series stop win of the season — and the biggest one at that.

The victory also marked France’s third FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series season title, following their previous triumphs in 2019 and 2024.

Finishing the job

France entered the knockout rounds as Pool A winners after going 2-1 on Day 1 and topping the three-way tie on total points.

They then faced a tough Neftchi SOCAR side in the Semi-Finals. The contest was physical and low-scoring from the outset, with the two teams tied 2-2 early. France gradually established control, moving ahead 7-3 midway through the game before Neftchi fought back.

Brianna Fraser, who had suffered an early injury, returned to the court and helped keep Neftchi within striking distance. But Laetitia Guapo continued to make an impact for France, helping her team maintain an 11-8 advantage with under two minutes remaining.

Marie Mané then delivered the decisive blow, hitting a big two-pointer to put France ahead 15-11. Fraser answered with another two-pointer, but France held on for a 15-13 victory and a place in the Final.

Awaiting them was Rapid Bucharest, who had swept Pool B before defeating Netherlands 18-14 in their Semi-Final.

France control Final

The championship game began as a tight affair, with France holding a narrow 4-3 advantage early.

France then began to pull away. They extended their lead to 6-3 before taking control midway through the game at 10-5. Rapid struggled to generate consistent offense as France did an excellent job containing Marta Miščenko inside.

France continued to hold the advantage, moving ahead 13-7 with four minutes remaining and eventually building a 16-12 lead with under three minutes to play.

Rapid refused to go quietly. Hortense Limouzin missed three free throws as France maintained a 16-12 advantage, but Rapid stayed alive when they cut the deficit to 16-14 with a minute remaining.

France responded immediately. Marie-Eve Paget knocked down a crucial two-pointer to restore a four-point cushion before Guapo added a free throw to make it 19-14. France closed out the championship from there, eventually securing a 22-14 victory. Paget added a buzzer-beating two-pointer to put the finishing touches on France’s title triumph.

The victory made both Guapo and Paget three-time FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series winners, having also been part of the France teams that won in 2019 and 2024.

Guapo named MVP

Guapo was at the heart of France’s championship run and was rewarded with the MVP award. The French star finished the Project Redwings Shanghai Final ranked second in total player value with 38.2, while also grabbing 22 rebounds, third-most in the tournament, and scoring 30 points, good for fourth overall.

Her all-around contribution proved decisive as France navigated two difficult knockout games and ultimately lifted the championship trophy.

Young Talent’s Laura Award

Beijing’s (CHN) Li Ruoying was named the winner of the Young Talent’s Laura Award, recognizing the best U25 player of the Shanghai Final. Despite Beijing’s campaign, Li and her teammates fought through to the knockout stage and provided one of the home crowd’s standout stories.

Final Standings

1. France (FRA)
2. Rapid Bucharest (ROU)
3. Netherlands (NED)
4. Neftchi SOCAR (AZE)
5. Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL)
6. Beijing (CHN)
7. China (CHN)
8. Germany (GER)

What’s Next?

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 season has come to an end, with France lifting the Project Redwings Shanghai Final title to cap another action-packed campaign.

Attention now turns to 2027, with the next FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series season set to bring another opportunity for teams, players and federations to build momentum and strengthen their position on the road toward the LA 28 Olympic Games.

For France, the Shanghai triumph provides another major boost to a program that has now captured its third Women’s Series season championship. With Laetitia Guapo, Marie-Eve Paget and their teammates finishing the season on top, the French will head into the offseason with plenty of confidence.

The rest of the field will now have a chance to recharge before beginning preparations for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2027 and another season of high-level 3×3 basketball action.

###

About FIBA 3×3

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

With a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series, respectively) and national-team competitions. 3×3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Wilson is the Global Ball Partner and Fourteen the official Apparel Partner of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.

FIBA 3×3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks, the Magic Sky canopy and the Avant seating system.

For further information about 3×3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3×3 accounts on Douyin, Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3×3@fiba.basketball.

FIBA

CHENGDU (China) – The United States prevailed in the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 Chengdu stop after a hard-fought 20-18 victory over Germany in a dramatic Final on Saturday.

It marked USA’s first FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series stop win since 2024 — and the first for this current roster — as they battled through a stacked field and delivered when it mattered most.

Final recap

The championship game lived up to the hype, with both teams trading blows in a tense, physical contest. Germany leaned on their size advantage early, with Ama Degbeon anchoring the inside presence, while Victoria Poros kept them within striking distance from deep.

USA, however, had the answer in Mikaylah Williams, who delivered a superstar performance with 10 points. With the game hanging in the balance, she knocked down a clutch two-pointer to give USA a late 19-18 lead before Sahara Williams added the insurance tip-in.

Germany had their chances in the closing seconds, but USA held firm to seal the crucial win.

Road to the Final

USA’s path to the title was anything but easy.

They edged past Amsterdam 20-18 in the Quarter-Finals behind a strong showing from Joyce Edwards, before surviving a thriller against Poland in the Semi-Finals, 21-20. In that game, USA showed resilience, with Milaysia Fulwiley delivering the game-winning floater after a back-and-forth battle that went down to the wire.

Germany, meanwhile, were equally impressive. They knocked off Australia 21-16 in the Quarter-Finals, fueled by hot shooting from beyond the arc led by Poros.

In the Semi-Finals, Germany prevailed in an overtime classic against China, 16-15. Marie Reichert delivered the decisive shot, while Degbeon and Zhou Mengyun traded big plays in a tightly contested duel.

Earlier action

The tournament delivered drama from the very start, beginning with an intense qualifying draw.

Host side China advanced after surviving a nail-biter against Warsaw, 17-16, while Brazil powered through Qualifying Draw B with back-to-back wins before bowing out in the Main Draw.

In pool play, several contenders made strong statements. Despite having just three active players on Day 1, USA dominated early, including a commanding 21-5 win over Brazil, while Australia showcased their firepower with a clutch win over USA and a dominant 21-9 victory against Brazil.

Amsterdam impressed by sweeping Pool B, highlighted by a thrilling overtime win against Beijing, while Poland displayed grit with back-to-back one-point wins over China and Japan.

Top seeds Ulaanbaatar Amazons overcame a slow start to top Pool A, but their campaign was cut short in the Quarter-Finals after a narrow 19-18 loss to China.

Standout performers

Mikaylah Williams USA was the undisputed star of the tournament, earning MVP honors after averaging 7.6 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 highlights per game. She delivered consistently throughout the event and rose to the occasion in the Final with a clutch scoring display.

Germany’s Marie Reichert and Ama Degbeon were instrumental in their team’s run, while Poland’s Aleksandra Zięmborska continued to shine as one of the most reliable performers on the circuit.

China’s Zhou Mengyun and A Ganajing also impressed, leading their team from the qualifying draw all the way to a fourth-place finish.

What it means

USA’s triumph sends a strong message to the rest of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series field as the 2026 season heats up. With this squad already finding their rhythm, they emerge as a serious contender moving forward.

Germany and Poland also proved they are forces to be reckoned with, while China’s deep run highlights their growing presence on the global stage.

Final Standings

1. United States (USA)
2. Germany (GER)
3. Poland (POL)
4. China (CHN)
5. Amsterdam (NED)
6. Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL)
7. Australia (AUS)
8. Mongolia (MGL)
9. Yanjing (CHN)
10. Japan (JPN)
11. Beijing (CHN)
12. Brazil (BRA)
13. Warsaw (POL)
14. Philippines (PHI)
15. New Zealand (NZL)
16. Lion City (SGP)

After a short break, the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 continues on May 7-8 in Manila, where many of the world’s best will once again battle for supremacy.

FIBA

The road to LA28

Beyond the glory, Warsaw mattered enormously for the road to LA28, where 3×3 basketball expands from eight teams per gender at Paris 2024 to twelve.

The USA are already qualified as hosts, and the Netherlands’ women and Spain’s men have also secured places in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament pathway following their performances at the Champions Cup in Bangkok earlier this year. 

Basketball’s global governing body FIBA operates a dedicated 24-month Federation Ranking cycle running until December 2027, which will determine five of the 11 available qualifying spots per gender. Those spots are distributed regionally — one each to the top-ranked federation in Africa, the Americas, and Europe, and two to Asia-Pacific, with at least one reserved for an Asian nation.

The ranking is built from the points each player earns at FIBA-endorsed events, based on how far their team advances, whether they win games before the time limit, and their own performance stats. A nation’s Federation Ranking is then calculated by adding up the individual points of its top 25-ranked players. The World Cup sits at the very top of that competition network, making its points the most valuable of the entire season.

The remaining six qualifying spots will be determined by four qualifying tournaments held between March and June 2028. The next World Cup — and the next chance to bank crucial ranking points — takes place in Singapore in 2027.

As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective teams at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation at the LA Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at LA28.

MONASTIR, Tunisia – Uganda’s Under-21 women’s 3×3 basketball team made a perfect start to the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League after winning Stop 1 of the competition in Monastir, Tunisia, with an unbeaten run.

The Ugandan side defeated hosts Tunisia, edged regional rivals Kenya and thrashed Algeria in the final to lift the first stop title in impressive fashion.

Uganda opened its campaign with a commanding 16-9 victory over Tunisia, before grinding out a hard-fought 8-7 win against Kenya to secure top spot in their pool.

The team then capped off a flawless day with a dominant 17-7 victory over Algeria in the final to be crowned Stop 1 champions.

According to reports from the tournament, Uganda combined disciplined defending with efficient scoring throughout the competition.

Against Tunisia, Bushira Namyanja and Zoe Atek led the scoring while Sarah Namale anchored the defence. The Kenyan contest proved a tighter affair, with Uganda holding off a late comeback to advance to the final.

In the championship game, Uganda overwhelmed Algeria from the outset, opening an early lead before pulling away with an unanswered scoring run. Namyanja finished as the leading scorer with seven points, while Namale added six as Uganda convincingly sealed the title.

The victory gives Uganda an early advantage in the multi-stop tournament, which brings together emerging basketball talent from across Africa as part of FIBA’s development pathway for young 3×3 players.

Uganda’s women’s team will now turn its attention to Stop 2, where it is scheduled to face Egypt and Benin as it seeks to maintain its unbeaten run and strengthen its position in the standings.