▲ The men’s 3×3 basketball national team

The South Korean men’s 3×3 basketball national team has advanced to the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, setting up a pursuit for the country’s first-ever gold medal in the event.

Led by head coach Bae Gil-tae, the men’s 3×3 basketball team defeated the Philippines 21-9 in the tournament semifinals held today (the 25th) at the special outdoor court in the Kinjofuto Station plaza in Nagoya, Japan.

This marks South Korea’s return to the final stage for the first time in eight years, since winning the silver medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, where 3×3 basketball was first introduced as an Asian Games official sport.

The national squad—featuring Lee Joo-young, Kim Seung-woo (both from Yonsei University), Lee Dong-geun (Korea University), and Ku Min-gyo (Sungkyunkwan University), who combined to win the runners-up title at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in April this year—will team up once again to capture the country’s first gold medal.

The final is scheduled to take place at 7:30 PM, where South Korea will face the winner of the semifinal match between Qatar and Iran for the gold.

South Korea took control of the game right from the start as Lee Joo-young and Kim Seung-woo landed consecutive 2-point shots, pulling ahead to an 8-1 lead just about 1 minute and 20 seconds into the match.

With 7 minutes and 9 seconds remaining, Kim Seung-woo scored another 2-pointer to widen the gap to 13-2, and maintaining a comfortable lead, Lee Joo-young wrapped up the game by reaching the 21-point mark first with 29 seconds left on the clock.

Kim Seung-woo delivered a well-rounded performance with 8 points and 3 rebounds, alongside Lee Joo-young with 6 points, Lee Dong-geun with 4 points and 5 rebounds, and Ku Min-gyo with 3 points and 5 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the women’s national team, which reached the Asian Games semifinals for the first time, lost 8-19 to Japan in the semifinals and moved down to the bronze medal match.

The women’s team—consisting of Kim Jung-eun (BNK), Choi Ye-seul (Samsung Life), Hur Yoo-jung (Shinhan Bank), and Song Yun-ha (KB)—will face Thailand for the medal.

(Photo provided by the Korea Basketball Association, Yonhap News)

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.

Wuhan, China (September 19, 2026) – Canada’s 3×3 U23 women’s national team captured its first-ever FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup medal Saturday, earning silver after falling 15-10 to the United States in the final.

Mary-Anna Asare was named to the Women’s Team of the Tournament after leading the competition with 47 points. She also ranked second in the tournament in player value at 53.8.

The United States opened the final with a 5-2 lead before Canada responded behind a pair of baskets from Cyanne Coe. Canada took a 9-7 lead midway through the game, but the Americans answered with a late run to reclaim the advantage and secure the gold medal.

Canada entered the tournament for the first time after qualifying through the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League in July. The Canadians entered the World Cup as the No. 18 seed but quickly established themselves as a contender.

Canada opened pool play with a 19-15 win over Czechia, led by Asare’s seven points on 75% shooting. Hailey Franco-DeRyck added six points and four rebounds while shooting 100% from the field.

The Canadians followed with dominant wins over Poland and Chinese Taipei, defeating Poland 22-13 before cruising to a 21-9 victory over Chinese Taipei. Canada closed out pool play with a narrow 14-13 loss to defending champion Netherlands, finishing second in Pool B.

In the quarterfinals, Canada faced Australia in a tightly contested matchup. Australia took an 8-4 lead early, but Canada battled back and took the lead with less than three minutes remaining. With Australia in the penalty and Canada in the bonus, Myriam Koné converted a late opportunity to help seal a 19-16 victory and send Canada to the semifinals.

Canada then cruised past Latvia 21-8 in the semifinals, with Coe and Koné each scoring seven points. Coe and Asare also combined for 15 rebounds as Canada advanced to its first 3×3 U23 World Cup final.

The silver medal marks Canada’s first-ever medal at the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.

After the final, Franco-DeRyck reflected on the team’s journey from first-time 3×3 players to World Cup finalists.

“This journey has been a whirlwind of emotions. Having never played 3×3 before the Nations League, I didn’t know what to expect.”, said Franco-DeRyck. “To think that some of the teams we faced have played together for years, while we just came together in China and made it to the final, shows our resilience and our willingness to buy into each other.”

As for Asare, the historic run was made even more meaningful by the connections she built along the way.

“I’m just grateful I was paired up with a group that means so much to me. My teammates were always picking me up, and we had such an amazing staff.”

“It’s always an honour to represent your country.”, Asare continued. “It was obviously not the result we wanted, but we fought as a team, picked each other up when we were down, and came up with a medal. It means so much to write history for Canada.”

Franco-DeRyck led the tournament with a staggering 50 rebounds. Koné finished seventh in scoring with 32 points and seventh in player value at 43.0. Coe rounded out the group, placing 10th in scoring with 30 points and 10th in player value at 41.0, while ranking third in rebounds with 33.

WARSAW – The USA Basketball Women’s 3×3 National Team featuring LSU players Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley defeated Australia, 21-20, on a clutch, game-winning 2-pointer by Williams to win the gold medal at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

The quartet of Fulwiley, Williams, Joyce Edwards, and Sahara Williams advanced to the final in a 19-18 overtime thriller over Azerbaijan.

In the final, the U.S. women took on Australia, who they defeated 21-18 in pool play earlier in the week.

At 6:40, the U.S. held a 7-3 lead going into a media timeout. The game remained tight until the second media timeout with the U.S. still on top, 12-9, with 3:48 left. Fulwiley hit a big two-pointer to give the USA a 15-10 lead with just over three minutes remaining.

However, Australia tied the game at 17 points apiece with 1:49 left after back-to-back 2-pointers. Fulwiley answered with another two, putting the USA up 19-17. Australia rallied, running off three straight points to take the lead, 20-19, with under a minute remaining.

Down one with time winding down, Mikaylah nailed her second game-winner of the day to take a 21-20 victory and give the U.S. women their fourth gold medal in event history.

“I’m blessed to be on this stage, to play with some amazing teammates, to play for some amazing coaches and to rep USA,” Mikaylah said.

Mikaylah was named MVP of the tournament. She joins Cameron Brink (2023) as the only other American women to take home the award.

Over 10 editions of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, the American women have brought home a medal five times, including four titles. Including this year, the USA has four gold medals (2026, 2023, 2014, 2012) and a bronze (2016).

In the women’s bronze medal game, the Netherlands defeated Azerbaijan 21-14. The men’s tournament saw Latvia win gold, Serbia take silver and France get bronze.

WARSAW – The USA Basketball Women’s 3×3 National Team featuring LSU players Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley defeated Australia, 21-20, on a clutch, game-winning 2-pointer by Williams to win the gold medal at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

The quartet of Fulwiley, Williams, Joyce Edwards, and Sahara Williams advanced to the final in a 19-18 overtime thriller over Azerbaijan.

In the final, the U.S. women took on Australia, who they defeated 21-18 in pool play earlier in the week.

At 6:40, the U.S. held a 7-3 lead going into a media timeout. The game remained tight until the second media timeout with the U.S. still on top, 12-9, with 3:48 left. Fulwiley hit a big two-pointer to give the USA a 15-10 lead with just over three minutes remaining.

However, Australia tied the game at 17 points apiece with 1:49 left after back-to-back 2-pointers. Fulwiley answered with another two, putting the USA up 19-17. Australia rallied, running off three straight points to take the lead, 20-19, with under a minute remaining.

Down one with time winding down, Mikaylah nailed her second game-winner of the day to take a 21-20 victory and give the U.S. women their fourth gold medal in event history.

“I’m blessed to be on this stage, to play with some amazing teammates, to play for some amazing coaches and to rep USA,” Mikaylah said.

Mikaylah was named MVP of the tournament. She joins Cameron Brink (2023) as the only other American women to take home the award.

Over 10 editions of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, the American women have brought home a medal five times, including four titles. Including this year, the USA has four gold medals (2026, 2023, 2014, 2012) and a bronze (2016).

In the women’s bronze medal game, the Netherlands defeated Azerbaijan 21-14. The men’s tournament saw Latvia win gold, Serbia take silver and France get bronze.