DEQING (China) – Antwerp (BEL) finally got their hands on a FIBA 3×3 World Tour stop title in 2026, defeating Ub in a thrilling Final to cap a memorable weekend in Deqing. But beyond the Belgian breakthrough, the 11th stop of the season offered another reminder of just how open the World Tour has become, with seven different teams now having lifted a trophy and six more stops still to play before the World Tour Final in Rio de Janeiro.

Job Done

Antwerp’s 2026 season has been a tale of near-misses and flashes of promise, but Deqing finally delivered the breakthrough. The Belgians arrived with plenty of evidence that they could compete at the highest level, having already won three Challenger stops this season. Yet a World Tour title had remained elusive.

That changed in Deqing. After finishing second in their pool, Antwerp survived a dramatic Quarter-Final against Miami (USA), 21-18, before producing one of their strongest performances of the season in a 21-10 Semi-Final win over Vienna (AUT).

Then came Ub (SRB). The Final was a back-and-forth battle, but Antwerp found the decisive plays down the stretch to win 21-17 and claim their first World Tour stop title of 2026. It was the breakthrough they had been chasing all season.

Man of the Moment

If Antwerp’s title was the headline, Dennis Donkor’s performance was the individual story. The Belgian star was named MVP after putting together the tournament’s best statistical profile. Donkor finished with a 41.9 Player Value, the highest mark in Deqing, while his 42 total points and 16 two-pointers also led the field.

More importantly, he delivered when Antwerp needed him most. Donkor scored eight points against Miami in the Quarter-Finals, added 10 in the Semi-Final rout of Vienna and contributed eight more in the Final against Ub. His production gave Antwerp a consistent offensive weapon throughout the knockout phase and made him a fitting choice for the MVP award.

Parity Continues

Eleven stops into the 2026 season, the list of winners tells its own story. Baskets Bonn (GER) have three titles, while Liman (SRB) and Ub have two apiece. Miami, Hangzhou Jingwei (CHN), Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) and now Antwerp have each won once.

That means seven different teams have claimed World Tour stops this season, underlining the depth and parity across the Pro Circuit. And there is still plenty of room for that list to grow. Skyliners (GER), Shanghai (CHN), Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), DeQing (CHN), Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), Fuengirola (ESP), Toulouse (FRA) and Vienna are among the big name teams still searching for their first World Tour stop victory of 2026. With six stops remaining before Rio, there is plenty of time for another name to join the winners’ circle.

Six before Rio

Deqing was the 11th World Tour stop of 2026, but the season is nowhere near its conclusion. There are now six World Tour stops remaining before the World Tour Final in Rio de Janeiro on December 12-13, giving the teams still searching for a breakthrough plenty of opportunities to change their fortunes.

For the established winners, meanwhile, the remaining stops provide a chance to add to their trophy haul and strengthen their position heading toward Rio. The balance of power can still shift significantly before the season reaches its climax.

Deqing’s 3×3 Story

The FIBA 3×3 World Tour’s second consecutive visit to Deqing provided another major weekend for one of China’s established 3×3 basketball hotbeds. The tournament coincided with the Chinese Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival), adding another layer to a special weekend for the city and its growing 3×3 basketball community.

With a dedicated 3×3 Basketball Stadium and an increasingly established connection to the sport, Deqing continues to provide an important stage for the World Tour in China. And just like in 2025, this year’s edition ended with a new winner, a new MVP and another reminder that there are few easy wins on the 2026 circuit.

Antwerp have finally broken through. But with six World Tour stops still remaining before Rio, the biggest lesson from Deqing may be that the 2026 season remains wide open.

The next chapter awaits.

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

FIBA and MotoGP will stage a 3×3 basketball showcase in Rimini on 9 September, ahead of the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera. The event brings together MotoGP riders, 3×3 basketball players, content creators and fans.

The FIBA 3×3 MotoGP Showcase will take place at Piazzale Kennedy and feature a dunk exhibition followed by a 3×3 basketball game involving MotoGP riders, FIBA 3×3 players and special guests. Activities begin at 17:30 CET with entertainment and music.

The exhibition game will see MotoGP riders take to the half-court alongside players and personalities from 3×3 basketball. Confirmed MotoGP participants include 2026 title challenger Marco Bezzecchi, race winner Franco Morbidelli and two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia.

Morbidelli will lead his team against a squad featuring Bezzecchi and Bagnaia. Other confirmed players include 3×3 basketball player Giorgio Di Bonaventura and content creator Luca Campolunghi, with further names to be announced closer to the event.

“Bringing together MotoGP riders, 3×3 basketball players and creators for this event creates a unique opportunity to unite two dynamic sports communities and introduce 3×3 basketball to new fans in an exciting setting,” said Alex Sanchez, managing director of FIBA 3×3. “We are delighted to collaborate with MotoGP on this showcase in Rimini.”

“We’re excited to work with FIBA for this 3×3 event, bringing together basketball and MotoGP,” said Kelly Brittain, managing director of global marketing at MotoGP. “It’ll be great entertainment for everyone who can go and enjoy the show just ahead of the San Marino GP, kicking off the weekend’s celebrations in style.”

3×3 basketball, overseen by FIBA, is played by two teams of three on a basketball half-court and made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games. It runs a professional circuit through the men’s World Tour and the Women’s Series, alongside national-team competitions.

BIRMINGHAM (United States) – Miami (USA) saved their best for last to capture the inaugural FIBA 3×3 FISE Birmingham Challenger 2026, defeating Élancourt (FRA) 21-15 in the Final to claim their first Challenger title of the season. The victory also saw Miami punch their ticket to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Debrecen 2026, alongside runner-up Élancourt and third-place Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU).

The result capped a memorable first edition of the FISE Birmingham Challenger, part of the Festival International des Sports Extrêmes (FISE) 2026, with Miami overcoming a deep field and a number of the season’s highest-ranked teams to emerge on top.

The Winner

Miami delivered when it mattered most, navigating an unbeaten run through the Main Draw before taking down Toronto (CAN), Marijampole MANTINGA (LTU) and Élancourt on Day 2.

The Americans opened with a 19-16 victory over Élancourt before following it up with a 20-16 win against Shinjuku SS (JPN) to sweep Pool A. James Parrott then took over in the Quarter-Finals, erupting for 14 points as Miami eliminated Toronto 21-14.

Parrott continued to deliver in the Semi-Finals, scoring seven points as Miami defeated Marijampole MANTINGA 21-15 to reach the Final.

Parrott was the driving force behind Miami’s title run and was rewarded with the MVP award after producing the tournament’s best overall statistical profile.

He finished with 41 total points, nine 2-pointers made, 12 key assists, 10 drives, five dunks and five blocks. Parrott also led the tournament in total player value (60.4) and highlights (32), while recording one triple-five performance.

His 14-point explosion in Miami’s Quarter-Final victory over Toronto proved particularly decisive, before he added another seven points in the Semi-Final to help send Miami through to the titular contest.

The Runner-up

Élancourt produced one of the tournament’s biggest runs, fighting through Pool A before eliminating Princeton (USA) and Raudondvaris Hoptrans to reach the Final.

After falling to Miami in their opening game, Élancourt bounced back with a dramatic 22-21 overtime victory over Shinjuku SS, with Gauthier Denis hitting the game-winning 2-pointer.

They then stunned Princeton 21-13 in the Quarter-Finals before edging Raudondvaris 21-19 in a thrilling Semi-Finals matchup. Lorenzo Thirouard-Samson led the French charge with 29 points across the tournament as Élancourt secured their place at the World Tour Debrecen.

The Final

Miami and Élancourt met again in the championship game, but this time Miami controlled the contest.

Miami raced into a 6-3 lead before Élancourt fought back to make it 12-11 midway through the game. Miami responded with another decisive push, with Henry Caruso knocking down a 2-pointer to stretch the lead to 18-13 with less than three minutes remaining.

Élancourt could not produce another comeback as Miami closed out the 21-15 victory to become the first-ever FISE Birmingham Challenger champions.

The Reward

Miami, Élancourt and Raudondvaris Hoptrans all earned qualification to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Debrecen 2026, rewarding their runs in Birmingham with a place on one of the 3×3 basketball’s most iconic stages.

For Miami, the qualification comes with their first Challenger title of the 2026 season, while Élancourt’s second-place finish marks their best result on the Pro Circuit this year. Raudondvaris completed the qualification trio after reaching the Semi-Finals and finishing third.

Final Standings:

1. Miami (USA) – qualified to WT Debrecen
2. Élancourt (FRA) – qualified to WT Debrecen
3. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) – qualified to WT Debrecen
4. Marijampole MANTINGA (LTU)
5. Princeton (USA)

Top Scorers:

1. James Parrott (Miami) – 41 pts
2. Tautvydas Kliučinykas (Marijampole MANTINGA) – 33 pts
3. Lorenzo Thirouard-Samson (Élancourt) – 29 pts
4. Riley Battin (Miami) – 27 pts
5. Bastien Pinault (Élancourt) – 27 pts

What’s Next

The Challenger circuit continues next weekend with the FIBA 3×3 Singapore Challenger 2026, set for August 15-16, as teams continue to battle for their place on the World Tour.

Meanwhile, the FIBA 3×3 World Tour returns to action at WT Lausanne on August 14-15, with the world’s best 3×3 basketball teams back on the WT stage as the 2026 season opens its second half.

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