PHOENIX (United States) – Miami (USA) continued their remarkable run on the FIBA 3×3 Challenger circuit, capturing the FIBA 3×3 Phoenix Challenger 2026 after defeating Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) 22-16 in the Final on September 20. The victory marked Miami’s third Challenger stop win of the season, while Amsterdam and Princeton (USA) joined them in securing tickets to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026.

Miami make it three

Miami were in control from the opening day, sweeping Pool A after wins over Princeton and Phoenix (USA). They continued that momentum in the knockout stage, dispatching London (GBR) 21-12 in the Quarter-Finals before producing another commanding performance against Bordeaux (FRA), winning 21-13 in the Semi-Finals. James Parrott was perfect from the field in the Semi-Final, going 5-for-5 from the floor and 1-for-1 from the free-throw line as Miami raced to a 6-2 start and never looked back. The Americans then saved their biggest performance for the Final.

Amsterdam push Miami

Amsterdam RABOBANK started the Final brightly, taking a 5-4 lead before the teams remained locked at 9-9 midway through the contest. Miami then found another gear, opening a 17-11 advantage with under three minutes remaining. Amsterdam continued to battle, but Miami held their nerve to close out the 22-16 victory.

Riley Battin led all scorers with 11 points, while the returning Jimmer Fredette added eight points, five rebounds and four two-pointers in the Final. The victory gives Miami their third Challenger title of 2026, following previous triumphs at FISE Birmingham and the Sansar Challenger.

Fredette earns MVP honors

In his first FIBA 3×3 Pro Circuit match since retiring in April 2025, Fredette was named the Phoenix Challenger MVP after an all-around tournament performance. The Miami star finished with 47.6 total player value, the highest mark of the event, alongside 27 total points, 22 highlights, one triple-five, 10 two-pointers, 15 key assists and two blocks. His 10 two-pointers were also the most in the tournament. Likewise, his 22 highlights and triple-five led the field.

Princeton punch ticket to Macau

Princeton produced one of the weekend’s biggest results by eliminating Antwerp (BEL) 21-15 in the Quarter-Finals. The Americans relied on a balanced attack and six two-pointers to overcome the sixth-ranked Antwerp side and reach the Semi-Finals, where they fell 22-14 to eventual champions Miami. Princeton nevertheless finished third overall and secured the Final World Tour Macau ticket alongside Miami and Amsterdam RABOBANK.

The Reward

Miami, Amsterdam RABOBANK and Princeton have all qualified for FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026, set for October 17-18, after finishing as the top three teams in Phoenix. The result gives Miami and Amsterdam another World Tour appearance in their strong 2026 campaigns, while Princeton finally secure their first ticket to the global circuit this season. WT Macau will mark Princeton’s World Tour debut in 2026.

Final Standings

1. Miami (USA) – qualified to WT Macau
2. Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) – qualified to WT Macau
3. Princeton (USA) – qualified to WT Macau
4. Bordeaux (FRA)
5. Antwerp (BEL)

Top Scorers

1. Riley Battin (Miami) – 38 pts
2. Maarten Bouwknecht (Amsterdam RABOBANK) – 34 pts
3. Bryan Alberts (Amsterdam RABOBANK) – 28 pts
4. Jimmer Fredette (Miami) – 27 pts
5. James Parrott (Miami) – 24 pts

What’s next

Attention now shifts back to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Deqing 2026, which is set for September 26-27 in one of China’s 3×3 basketball hotbeds. The Challenger circuit also returns on the same weekend, with the Mataro Challenger taking place on September 26-27 as the race for further World Tour tickets continues.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. 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

McKinna Brackens is ready to hit the road again … for USA Basketball.

The Sun Devil senior who helped ASU to a fun one-season turnaround will be competing with USA Basketball’s 3×3 U23 team Sept. 15-19 in Wuhan, China, at the FIBA World Cup.

The 2026 USA 3×3 U23 Women’s National Team also features Dani Carnegie, Katie Fiso and Tori McKinney, as the group won the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas North Conference in July in Ñuñoa, Chile. They will reunite with head coach Todd Monsey (Highland Park H.S., TX), who was at the helm in Chile.

 

A dream come true @SunDevilWBB‘s @McKinnaBrackens reacts to @usab3x3 Nations League roster opportunity.#NCAAWBB x / @SunDevilWBB @JordyHamm pic.twitter.com/wlYbOyckwR

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) July 2, 2026

 

The improvement stat
Brackens entered 2025-26 averaging 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 58 career games. She jumped to 14.4 ppg./6.4 rpg last year as ASU went from 10 wins to 24 wins.

Some big game numbers
Brackens had career highs in points (31 at Utah on Dec. 31), rebounds (15 vs. McNeese State on Dec. 5), assists (six vs. Utah on Dec. 31) and steals (five vs. Kansas State on Feb. 1 and at Penn State on Dec. 9) last year.

 

Arizona State women’s basketball coach Molly Miller talks about forward McKinna Brackens representing USA at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas Conference this summer. pic.twitter.com/uvE007ICN8

— Jenna Ortiz (@jennarortiz) July 22, 2026

 

In May, Carnegie, Fiso and McKinney participated in a USA Basketball 3×3 Developmental Camp in Phoenix and the subsequent USA Basketball 3X Showcase in Mesa, Arizona. Carnegie, Fiso and McKinney took home the 3X Showcase title – competing as Team Phoenix – after defeating Team Tempe 21-17 in the final. Brackens competed at the 3X Showcase alongside teammates from Arizona State, and the Sun Devils advanced to the quarterfinals. 

The USA women and men look to return to the podium for the first time since winning gold and silver, respectively, in 2024.

The USA women will open Pool D play on Sept. 16 vs. Japan at 3:50 a.m. ET, followed by a matchup with Kenya at 8:50 a.m. ET. Pool play continues Sept. 18 vs. Slovenia at 5:30 a.m. ET and Australia at 8:25 a.m. ET.

Following pool play, the top two teams from each of the four five-team pools will move on to the quarterfinals on Sept. 19.

The 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup will stream live on YouTube.com/FIBA3x3.

Launched in 2018, the men’s and women’s FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup pits the best under-23 3×3 talent against one another to fight for a chance at winning gold. The 2026 edition will be the seventh event since its inception. For more information on the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, click here.

The USA men are two-time 3×3 U23 medalists, taking gold in 2023 and silver in 2024. The U.S. women also own one gold (2024) and silver (2022) medal in the competition’s history.

It is played on a half-court with a 10-minute clock and a 12-second shot clock. The first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation, is the winner.