DEQING (China) – The FIBA 3×3 World Tour returns to China this weekend, and World Tour Deqing 2026 has no shortage of star power. With 14 teams set to battle on September 26-27, several of the biggest names on the Pro Circuit will be looking to make their mark as the season enters its decisive stretch.

Here are the players to watch in Deqing.

Strahinja Stojacic (Ub)

There is little introduction needed for the man known as “Doctor Strange.” Stojacic remains the benchmark of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour and continues to lead all players in overall player value. He recently helped Serbia reach the knockout rounds of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, adding another international challenge to an already packed season. Now back with Ub, Stojacic will be looking to lead the Serbian side to a third World Tour stop win of 2026. With Ub entering Deqing as the top seed, all eyes will once again be on the World No. 1.

James Parrott (Miami)

Few players on the Pro Circuit can match Parrott’s combination of athleticism and explosiveness. The Miami high-flyer has been central to his team’s outstanding run on the Challenger circuit, helping the Americans capture the recent Sansar Challenger before playing a key role in their Phoenix Challenger title run.

Parrott was particularly sharp in Phoenix, shooting 5-for-5 from the field and 1-for-1 from the free-throw line in Miami’s Semi-Final win over Bordeaux. With Miami now carrying three Challenger titles this season, Parrott and company will look to translate that momentum to the World Tour and add a second stop win of the year.

Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam RABOBANK)

When Amsterdam need a big play, de Jong has repeatedly shown he can deliver. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion led Amsterdam to the World Tour Vienna title and has continued to produce during a busy stretch of the season, including top three finishes at World Tour Amsterdam, the Singapore Challenger and the Beijing Challenger.

Amsterdam also reached the Final in Phoenix before falling to Miami, giving de Jong another strong performance heading into Deqing. He will now look to cap that recent run with their second World Tour stop win of 2026.

Dennis Donkor (Antwerp)

Donkor remains one of the most dangerous shooters on the Pro Circuit, particularly when he finds his rhythm from the midrange and beyond the arc. The Antwerp star recently represented Belgium at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, where the Belgians reached the Quarter-Finals before falling to eventual champions Latvia. He then helped Antwerp reach the Quarter-Finals at the Phoenix Challenger, scoring seven points in their loss to Princeton. Antwerp will need Donkor at his best in Deqing as they prepare to navigate a difficult Pool D alongside Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy and the winner of the Qualifying Draw.

Anand Ariunbold (Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy)

Ariunbold has been one of Ulaanbaatar’s most reliable two-way contributors throughout the season, earning his reputation as a player capable of impacting the game at both ends of the court. “The Archer” helped Ulaanbaatar reach third place at the Sansar Challenger, where he finished among the tournament’s leading scorers. He was also a key presence during the team’s run at the Hongcheon Challenger.

Westher Molteni (Toronto)

Veteran presence meets a team looking for a breakthrough in Deqing. Molteni was part of the FIBA 3×3 MotoGP Showcase and remains an important piece for Toronto as the Canadian side looks to turn promising Challenger results into a major World Tour achievement. Toronto have shown signs of progress on the Challenger circuit, including a top-three finish in Darkhan and a top-four result in Beijing. Now, Molteni and Co. will be looking to take the next step and disrupt the established powers in Deqing.

Jules Rambaut (Toulouse)

Toulouse enter Deqing with added responsibility on Rambaut’s shoulders. With Franck Seguela and Hugo Suhard unavailable, the French big man will shoulder more of the offensive and defensive workload. Rambaut’s physical presence and experience could prove particularly important in Pool B, where Toulouse will face second seeds Miami and Taipei WanBao. Toulouse are still searching for their first World Tour stop win of 2026, and a strong showing from Rambaut could give them the platform to make a deep run.

Quincy Diggs (Vienna)

Fresh from an MVP performance, Diggs arrives in Deqing with plenty of momentum. He led Vienna to their first FIBA 3×3 Pro Circuit stop win of the season at the Hongcheon Challenger, where he combined scoring, rebounding and playmaking throughout the tournament. Vienna will now take that confidence into Deqing, where they face top seed Ub and hosts DeQing in Pool A. If Diggs can reproduce his Hongcheon form, Vienna could be a difficult matchup for anyone.

Francis Lacis (DeQing)

The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for with Lacis leading the charge. The Latvian is a reigning FIBA 3×3 World Cup champion and brings that championship experience to a DeQing side looking to make an impact on home soil. DeQing have already secured their place at FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026, but the home World Tour stop offers another opportunity to make a statement in front of their supporters. Placed in Pool A alongside Ub and Vienna, Lacis and DeQing will have little room for error. Their ability to handle the pressure of the home crowd could be crucial.

Honorable Mention: Jimmer Fredette (Miami)

It did not take Fredette long to remind everyone why his return to the Pro Circuit was generating so much attention. The former NBA veteran made his return to FIBA 3×3 competition at the Phoenix Challenger and immediately helped Miami capture the title, scoring eight points in the Final against Amsterdam. Fredette was subsequently named tournament MVP after finishing with 27 points, 10 two-pointers, 15 key assists and a tournament-best 47.6 total player value.

With Miami now boasting three Challenger titles in 2026, Fredette’s return adds another dimension to an already dangerous team. Whether he takes the court in Deqing remains one of the storylines to watch, but his recent form has certainly added another layer to Miami’s World Tour campaign.

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

HONGCHEON (Republic of Korea) – The race for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour intensifies as the FIBA 3×3 Hongcheon Challenger 2026 brings an elite international field to the Hongcheon K Convention square on September 18-19, with three coveted tickets to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026 on the line. The 23rd Challenger of the season, Hongcheon promises another high-stakes weekend as teams look to turn Challenger success into a place on the World Tour stage.

Packed with contenders

The tournament features several highly-ranked teams in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2026 season standings, led by Ub (SRB), who enter Hongcheon ranked No. 1 overall.

Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) arrive at No. 8, while Vienna (AUT) are 11th and DeQing (CHN) sit 13th. Further depth comes from Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO) at No. 16, Sansar M Bank (MGL) at No. 23, Liberec DEKSTONE (CZE) at No. 24 and Lausanne (SUI) at No. 34.

With three World Tour tickets available, every game will carry added significance. The depth of the field leaves little margin for error, with established contenders and international 3×3 programs all eyeing the same prize.

Several teams, however, have already pre-qualified to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026. These are Warsaw, DeQing, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy and top-seeded Ub.

Star power in Hongcheon

Of course, the tournament will bring together a collection of proven 3×3 basketball players. Ub should be led by the world’s No. 1-ranked 3×3 basketball player, Strahinja Stojacic, while Ulaanbaatar will look to Anand Ariunbold for production on both offense and defense.

Fabio Sohnel will be one to watch for Vienna, while DeQing have FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 champion Francis Lacis in their ranks. Cibona Ph.Classic will rely on Roko Spaseski, with Adam Růžička providing another key presence for Liberec DEKSTONE. Mongolian side Sansar M Bank will have speedster Bolor-Erdene Gantsolmon, while Natan Jurkovitz brings experience and versatility to Lausanne.

Full Seeding List

1. Ub (SRB)
2. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
3. Vienna (AUT)
4. DeQing (CHN)
5. Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO)
6. Taipei WanBao (TPE)
7. Liberec DEKSTONE (CZE)
8. Lausanne (SUI)
9. Sansar M Bank (MGL)
10. Warsaw (POL)
11. Utsunomiya BREX.EXE (JPN)
12. Tsukuba (JPN)
13. Cluj (ROU)
14. Kaohsiung WanBao (TPE)
15. Hongcheon (KOR)
16. Cotai WOLFUNITED (MAC)

Qualifying Draw

Qualifying Draw A: Liberec DEKSTONE (CZE), Kaohsiung WanBao (TPE), Hongcheon (KOR)
Qualifying Draw B: Sansar M Bank (MGL), Tsukuba (JPN), Cotai WOLFUNITED (MAC)

Main Draw

Pool A: Ub (SRB), Warsaw (POL), Utsunomiya BREX.EXE (JPN)
Pool B: Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), Lausanne (SUI), Cluj (ROU)
Pool C: Vienna (AUT), Taipei WanBao (TPE), QD A
Pool D: DeQing (CHN), Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO), QD B

Road to Macau

Hongcheon represents another crucial checkpoint on the road to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour. With three places in Macau available, teams will need to navigate pool play and the knockout rounds before the weekend’s biggest prize is decided.

The Hongcheon K Convention square will provide the setting for two days of fast-paced 3×3 basketball, as some of the leading teams in the season standings collide with World Tour qualification at stake. The Challenger action gets underway on September 18, with the knockout rounds and Finals following on September 19.

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

SHANGHAI (China) – The best of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series are ready to take center stage in Shanghai, with the season’s biggest stars set to battle for the ultimate prize at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026.

From the Netherlands’ superstar duo to dominant scorers, creative playmakers and homegrown threats, the eight-team field is packed with players capable of deciding the biggest moments.

Here are 10 players to watch when the action tips off at the West Bund Art Center in Xuhui District.

Dutch dynamic duo

The Netherlands (NED) arrive in Shanghai with two of the biggest stars in the Women’s Series.

Ilse Kuijt enters as the No. 1 player in the 2026 Women’s Series Rankings after an outstanding campaign that has included MVP honors at WS Tokyo and WS Sea Breeze. She has been part of five of the Netherlands’ six stop victories and ranks second in the Women’s Series in two-pointers made with 32, while her 58 key assists rank fifth overall. Her 216.2 total player value is also sixth-best in the field.

Noortje Driessen is not far behind, ranked No. 2 in the Women’s Series this season. The versatile guard has also featured in five of the Netherlands’ six victories and collected MVP honors at WS Amsterdam and WS CS Rapid. She ranks fourth in total drives and second in free-throws made with 42, while her 207.6 total player value places her eighth overall.

Together, Kuijt and Driessen give the Netherlands one of the most formidable one-two punches in Shanghai.

Neftchi’s two-pronged attack

If there is one player who can match that star power, it is Alexandra Mollenhauer of Neftchi SOCAR (AZE). The Azerbaijani standout is ranked No. 3 in the Women’s Series and has been one of the most prolific and dominant players on the circuit all season. Mollenhauer leads the Women’s Series in total points with 250 and total player value at 308.5, while also topping the charts in two-pointers made (50), free-throws made (47), key assists (105) and highlights (163).

She has also recorded 13 double-fives and nine triple-fives, both Series-best marks, while her 25 blocks rank second overall. Mollenhauer claimed MVP honors at WS Orléans and will be one of the biggest threats to any team standing between Neftchi SOCAR and the title.

Mollenhauer is not the only Neftchi SOCAR player capable of taking over a game. Arica Carter, ranked No. 11 in the Women’s Series, claimed MVP honors at WS Marseille and has provided another dynamic scoring and driving option for the Azerbaijani side. She ranks fifth in drives with 43 and ninth in highlights with 92. With Mollenhauer and Carter on the same team, Neftchi SOCAR possess plenty of offensive firepower.

Driving Rapid forward

Rapid Bucharest (ROU) will look to Hortense Limouzin to set the tone in Shanghai. Ranked No. 5 overall this season, Limouzin has made her mark through relentless penetration and creativity. She leads the entire Women’s Series in drives with 106 and one-pointers made with 156, while ranking second in total points (200), total player value (276.5) and highlights (155). After earning MVP honors at WS Baku, Limouzin will be one of the players to watch whenever Rapid Bucharest need a spark.

Germany’s anchor

Germany (GER) will arrive in Shanghai with Marie Reichert anchoring their defense. The No. 15-ranked player was named MVP at WS Bangkok and leads the entire Women’s Series in blocks with 41. She also ranks fifth in total points with 185 and seventh in total player value at 216.1, while her 131 one-pointers place her third overall. Reichert’s ability to impact the game at both ends will be vital as Germany look to make their mark on the season finale.

All-around threat

France may still be searching for their first Women’s Series stop victory of the season, but Marie-Eve Paget gives them a reliable all-around presence. Ranked No. 17 this season, Paget does not necessarily dominate one statistical category. Instead, her value comes from contributing across the board and doing whatever France need in any given game. With the stakes higher than ever in Shanghai, that versatility could prove particularly valuable.

Mongolian ace

Khulan Onolbaatar has been at the heart of Ulaanbaatar Amazons‘ (MGL) impressive campaign. The No. 8-ranked Women’s Series player enters the Shanghai Final with the third-highest total player value this season at 242.7 and ranks second in key assists with 62. She is also third in two-pointers made (47) and fourth in highlights (124). Onolbaatar was named MVP at WS Jinan and will be crucial to the Amazons’ hopes of making another deep run.

Homegrown firepower

The home teams will have their own stars to lean on when the Shanghai crowd gets behind them.

Zhang ZhiTing is the leading scorer for Beijing (CHN), ranking fourth overall in the Women’s Series in total points with 190 while sitting second in one-pointers made with 150. The No. 22-ranked player will be looking to help Beijing chase their first Women’s Series event victory of the year on home soil.

China, meanwhile, will turn to Yang Hengyu. Ranked No. 26, Yang sits seventh in total points with 190 and 10th in total player value at 199.1. She is also second in double-fives with 11 and fifth in total rebounds with 143. Yang helped China get the win at WS Xiantao earlier this season.

With two Chinese teams in the field, both Zhang and Yang could have a major say in how far the hosts go.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women’s Series 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

The exciting Kiwi quartet of Aidan Tonge, Josh Book, Te Tuhi Lewis and Christian Martin are set to make their mark at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw.

The experienced and fiery New Zealanders (affectionately referred to in 3×3 spaces as #2pointnation) will travel to Poland, with the same head down mentality that has seen them rise to the occasion time and time again.

While the four-man two-point crew of Book, Lewis, Martin and Tonge will take to the floor in the Paris of the North, they’ll be ably supported by the squad’s two reserves Sam Gold and Aston Inwood.

3×3 Tall Blacks long-time head coach, Piet van Hasselt, is adamant that regardless of the occasion, the goals remain consistent for ‘2-Point Nation’.

“Our goals remain the same as ever, improve in every game and cherish the opportunity that is in front of us. Our team is methodical in our processes.  We plan, prepare, play, review and recover as a unit.   We don’t get ahead of ourselves.  We build game-by-game and target the playoffs in the first instance.”

The 3×3 Tall Blacks are one of the youngest 3×3 teams on the international circuit, despite that their experience playing together as a squad over the course of the last year and a bit will be invaluable to the team making a real splash at this year’s World Cup.

“Continuity is huge in 3X3 as we evolve our strategies and consistency in our performances.  We have a squad of six this year who prepared over the summer and are ready to play and run through a brick wall for the New Zealand 3X3 programme.”

The flare of New Zealand’s style of play has made waves across the 3×3 world, with the team’s ability to knock down the deep ball at a high percentage seeing them labelled as one of 3×3’s most exciting teams to watch.

Across the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup, the team drained a staggering 26 two-point shots across the tournament, which was 6 more than any other team at the tournament.

Coach van Hasselt wary that the 3×3 Tall Blacks no longer come into these FIBA events as the unknown underdogs.

“Teams will know who we are and not take us lightly.  Our team is locked in and ready to bring the intensity from the opening check-ball.  Everyone’s focus is on improvement and showing what we are made of.  All four playing uncompromising defence and showing assertiveness on offence will be huge for us.”

The head of that snake, Te Tuhi Lewis, the 2026 FIBA Asia Cup MVP, has been touted as one of 3×3’s newest star attractions.

His ability to hit the long-range ball and attack the basket sees him as a consistent go-to option for the 3×3 Tall Blacks, whilst also having the ability to pass the ball, and kick to great knockdown shooters like Christian Martin and Josh Book.

The man who keeps it all together for the squad, Aidan “The General” Tonge will lead the team around the half-court with the same poise and control he always does.

“Iron sharpens iron.  Playing against the best teams in the world will only help refine our strategies and processes.

The 3×3 Tall Blacks face a tough pool, and will play Netherlands, Germany, China and Japan in Group C.

“All the pools at the World Cup are tough. 

The top 20 nations can beat anyone on their day.  Three of five make it through to the playoffs, and nothing will be handed to us, we must go out there and grab it. 

With two European and two Asian countries in our pool we are looking forward to taking on the various styles that accompany a World Cup.”

The 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup starts on June 1st, with New Zealand’s first game against the Netherlands at 11:45pm, before taking on Germany in the early hours of the morning (3:30am).

As they always do, Aotearoa’s electrifying 3×3 Tall Blacks will be ready to give it their all come opening night.

“We are young, hungry and never satisfied.  We have a strong vision for the future and a World Cup gives us another chance to build on our Asia Cup success.”

All games at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup can be watched via livestream on the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.

3×3 Tall Blacks Squad for the 2026 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland:

Josh Book
Te Tuhi Lewis
Christian Martin
Aidan Tonge

Sam Gold (Reserve)
Aston Inwood (Reserve)

Head Coach: Piet van Hasselt

 

3×3 Tall Blacks 2026 World Cup Schedule:

June 1st – 11:45pm
v Netherlands

June 2nd – 3:30am
v Germany

June 3rd – 11:45pm
v China

June 4th – 1:35am
v Japan

*all games free on FIBA 3×3 YouTube

MIES (Switzerland) – DeQing (CHN) have already shown they can win Challengers, compete deep into FIBA 3×3 World Tour stops and knock off established contenders. Their 2026 résumé includes a third-place finish in WT Ulaanbaatar and a dominant Xi’an Challenger title, where they beat Barcelona (ESP), Phoenix (USA), Xi’an (CHN) and Skyliners (GER) before defeating Phoenix again in the Final. Add an increasingly dangerous international mix to a productive Chinese core, and DeQing have the ingredients to become a serious second-half threat.

By the Numbers

Here are three reasons DeQing could finally break through.

1. Multiple ways to win

Francis Lacis and Guim Expósito give DeQing an important international dimension. Both have actually won the FIBA 3×3 World Cup — Exposito in 2025 and Lacis just this year.

Lacis has already shown he can deliver when games tighten. In the Xi’an Challenger Semi-Finals, DeQing trailed Skyliners 12-9 before Lacis scored the team’s final three points to complete an 18-16 comeback. He then contributed again in the Final as DeQing closed out Phoenix 22-17.

Expósito adds another experienced World Tour presence and a perimeter option capable of generating offense in a variety of ways. He is one of the best passers on the Pro Circuit and is a solid scoring threat. Together, they give DeQing flexibility rather than forcing the team into one offensive formula. That adaptability becomes even more valuable when every knockout possession carries weight.

2. Chinese core can deliver

This is where DeQing’s ceiling becomes particularly interesting. Zhang Dianliang was simply unstoppable in Xi’an. He led the tournament with 38 points and posted a competition-best 40.5 Player Value. The title, though, was hardly a one-man operation. Guo Hanyu erupted for 10 points in the Final, repeatedly making timely plays throughout the championship run.

That combination gives DeQing a distinctive identity: the international players bring experience and versatility, while the Chinese core provides depth, familiarity and multiple ways to contribute. Zhang is an elite inside-outside threat, while Guo is as explosive as they come. Li Haonan and Wang Yunzhang round out the extended squad with a good mix of speed and size. DeQing know they don’t need one player to solve every possession because they have options.

3. High ceiling

The results tell a compelling story. DeQing finished fourth at the Hengqin Challenger, then won Xi’an. They followed that with a third-place finish at WT Ulaanbaatar and a second-place result at the Darkhan Challenger.

Of course, the individual wins matter even more than the placements. Their Xi’an title run included victories over four different opponents before the Final, while their Darkhan campaign featured a 21-19 Quarter-Finals victory over powerhouse Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL). DeQing have repeatedly shown they can survive against teams with World Tour pedigree.

As such, the argument isn’t simply that DeQing are improving. They’ve already demonstrated that their ceiling is high enough to beat elite opposition.

X-Factor: Zhang Dianliang becoming THE Guy

Zhang has already shown what happens when he takes control. His Xi’an performance was the clearest snapshot of DeQing’s ceiling. The next step is reproducing that impact against FIBA 3×3 World Tour defenses without the offense becoming overly dependent on him.

If Zhang becomes a consistent primary scoring threat while Lacis, Expósito, and the Chinese core maintain their production, DeQing suddenly have the firepower and variety to make a deep World Tour run.

One thing is for sure — DeQing aren’t waiting for one star to emerge. They’ve already built enough depth to win. The next step is turning that depth into consistency on the World Tour. With the Hongcheon Challenger ahead and WT Malaga on the horizon, the second half of 2026 offers another opportunity to turn a promising campaign into something much bigger.

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

BASKETBALL – Bahrain have named their under-23 women’s and men’s 3×3 basketball national teams that will be competing in the Fiba 3×3 Youth Nations League 2026-Asia West/Pacific conference in Singapore.

The kingdom’s representatives are scheduled to hit the hardwood in all six stops of their competition, to be held over as many days from Thursday to August 26.

Bahrain are one of six nations taking part in both the women’s and men’s events.

The others are Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkmenistan, and home side Singapore.

The women’s national team features top 3×3 players Bayan Salman, Ninel Merkotun, Polina Sviatskaia, JaMya Robinson, Noor Najaf, and Amina Hani.

They are coached by veteran Bahraini tactician Murtadha Mohammed.

The men’s national squad is composed of Ismail Kamal, Meshal Mohammed, Nasser Alanzoor, Mohammed Alanzi, Elyas Younes, and Hamad Faisal.

They are coached by Bogdan Dragovic, who is fresh from competing with Bahrain’s Seef in the Singapore Challenger as part of the Fiba 3×3 World Tour 2026.

The national teams’ manager is Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) official Ahmed Elyas.

The BBA announced the kingdom’s final rosters prior to their departure for Singapore on Saturday night.

Their upcoming Fiba 3×3 Youth Nations League 2026-Asia West/Pacific events act as qualification for the Fiba 3×3 U23 World Cup, which is to be held in Hubei, China, from September 15 to 19.

In the first of the six stops, which will kick start the action on Thursday later this week, Bahrain’s women have been slotted into Pool A along with Saudi and hosts Singapore.

Pool B features Australia, Qatar, and Turkmenistan.

The Bahrainis get their campaign underway against the Singaporeans at 11.10am before playing their Saudi counterparts at 1pm later that same day.

In the men’s competition, Bahrain are also in Pool A with Saudi and Singapore, with Pool B composed of Australia, Qatar, and Turkmenistan.

They first lock horns with the Singaporeans at 9.45am and then take on their Saudi rivals at 1.25pm.

Bahrain’s teams must finish atop Pool A in order to advance to their respective finals, where they will take on the winners of Pool B.

The women’s title-decider is scheduled for 2pm followed by the men’s at 2.25pm.

All times are Bahrain.

The FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2026 features under-23 national teams competing across distinct conferences all over the world.

Each conference plays six developmental tournament stages, or stops, to determine who qualifies for the season-ending final.

Aside from Asia West/Pacific, the other conferences are Africa East, Africa North, Africa South, Americas North, Americas South, Asia Central/East, Asia SEA, Europe One, Europe Two, Europe Three, Europe Four, and Pacific.

There are also conferences for under-21 teams, including Asia One, Asia Two, Europe One, Europe Two, and Europe Three.

patrick@gdnmedia.bh