MACAU (China) – The FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026 brings together some of the biggest names in 3×3 basketball, with established stars, in-form contenders and hungry challengers ready to battle for the title on October 17-18.

From World Tour statistical leaders to players chasing a breakthrough victory, Macau offers plenty of compelling storylines. Strahinja Stojacic (Ub) will be out to bounce back after a rare early exit, while Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam RABOBANK) arrives fresh off an MVP performance in WT Bucharest. Fabian Giessmann (Baskets Bonn) has been instrumental in a remarkable season, while several other stars will be looking to turn individual brilliance into another World Tour stop win.

Here are eight players to keep an eye on when the action gets underway.

Strahinja Stojacic (Ub)

There is never a shortage of reasons to watch ‘Doctor Strange,’ but Stojacic arrives in Macau with unfinished business. The Serbian superstar remains the No. 1-ranked player so far this season and continues to lead all FIBA 3×3 World Tour players in overall player value. He also tops the circuit in highlights (172) and key assists (59), underlining his ability to influence games well beyond scoring.

However, Ub (SRB) will be eager to respond after failing to advance past pool play at WT Bucharest, marking the first time the Serbian powerhouse has suffered that fate this season. With two World Tour stop victories already in the bag this year, Stojacic will be central to Ub’s push for a third title in Macau.

Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam RABOBANK)

No player arrives in Macau with more momentum than de Jong. The Dutch star recently led Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) to back-to-back WT Bucharest titles and claimed MVP honors, adding another statement performance to an already outstanding campaign.

De Jong leads all World Tour players in scoring with 242 points and ranks second overall this season in terms of total player value. He also tops the circuit in two-pointers made (64), double-fives (11) and triple-fives (4). That combination of scoring volume and long-range firepower makes him one of the most dangerous players in the field. With Amsterdam chasing their third World Tour stop victory of the season, de Jong will once again be the headline figure in their title ambitions.

James Parrott (Miami)

Parrott brings plenty of firepower to Macau as Miami (USA) look to build on their success across the 2026 campaign. The high-flying American was named MVP at WT Zadar earlier this year, leading Miami to their only FIBA 3×3 World Tour stop victory so far this season. Now, he will be looking to help the team double that tally.

Parrott has also helped Miami win three Challenger titles at FISE Birmingham, Sansar and Phoenix, while also playing a role in the USA’s FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup 2026 triumph in Bangkok earlier this year. He is also tied with Fabian Giessmann for the most blocks among World Tour players this season, with 18. If Parrott can bring his athleticism and defensive presence to the half-court, Miami will have a strong chance of making another deep run.

Fabian Giessmann (Baskets Bonn)

Speaking of Giessmann, he and Baskets Bonn have put together a season to remember. The German standout has helped his team win three World Tour stops — Amsterdam, Lausanne and Debrecen. That has made Baskets Bonn the only team to have claimed three stop victories so far this season. Their success has extended to the Challenger circuit, with additional titles in Manila and La Reunion.

Ranked third overall among World Tour players this season, Giessmann has been one of the driving forces behind Bonn’s consistency. He is tied with Parrott for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour lead in blocks with 18 and ranks second in dunks with 32, showcasing his ability to make an all-around impact. With Baskets Bonn looking to add another title to their collection, Giessmann could be one of the defining players in Macau.

Stefan Kojic (Skyliners)

When Kojic finds his range, he can change a game in a hurry. The Skyliners sharpshooter remains one of the most dangerous two-point threats in 3×3 basketball, capable of turning a close contest on its head with a timely shooting run.

Skyliners (GER) are still searching for their first World Tour stop victory of the season, giving Kojic and his teammates plenty of motivation heading into Macau. The German side recently finished in the top six at the Go Too! Group Aichi Challenger before securing a top-three finish at the Madrid Challenger. Kojic’s shooting could prove crucial as Skyliners look to translate their Challenger form into a breakthrough World Tour performance.

Anand Ariunbold (Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy)

Known as ‘The Archer,’ Ariunbold is one of Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy’s (MGL) key weapons from the perimeter. The Mongolian sharpshooter can get hot in a hurry, and his ability to knock down two-pointers makes him a constant threat whenever he finds his rhythm.

Ulaanbaatar are still chasing their first World Tour stop victory of the season, but they have already come close, finishing runners-up in Shanghai and on home soil in Ulaanbaatar. Ariunbold will be looking to turn those near-misses into a title run in Macau. If The Archer gets firing from long range, Ulaanbaatar could once again put themselves in contention.

Karlis Lasmanis (Shanghai)

Lasmanis arrives in Macau carrying one of the biggest achievements of his career, having helped Latvia win the FIBA 3×3 World Cup earlier this year. The Latvian star has proven he can deliver on the biggest international stage, and now he will look to bring that winning momentum to the World Tour with Shanghai.

Shanghai are still searching for their first World Tour stop victory of the season and have struggled to find consistent results. They have advanced beyond pool play in only four of their seven World Tour appearances this year, leaving little room for error in Macau. With Lasmanis bringing championship experience and proven big-game quality, Shanghai will hope he can help them turn their potential into a breakthrough result.

Nico Kaltenbrunner (Vienna)

Kaltenbrunner enters Macau with momentum after helping Vienna win the recent Hongcheon Challenger. He also arrives fresh from a top-four finish at WT Deqing, giving the Austrian side reason to believe they can threaten the leading contenders.

Vienna are still searching for their first World Tour stop victory of the season, but they have shown encouraging consistency by reaching the knockout stages in four of their six World Tour appearances. Kaltenbrunner will be central to their hopes of taking the next step.

With statistical leaders, proven champions and teams hungry for a breakthrough all converging on Macau, the competition promises plenty of intriguing individual battles. From Stojacic’s bid to get Ub back on track to de Jong’s quest for another MVP-caliber performance, these eight players could have a major say in who leaves Macau with the title.

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

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

The Australian Gangurrus tip off their 2026 FIBA 3×3 Under 23s World Cup campaign on Tuesday AEST, with two WNBL stars headlining the squad.

Adelaide’s Tayla Brazel and Townsville’s Catelyn Van Es will lead the green and gold’s chances in China for the September 15-19 tournament.

Rounding out the women’s squad are former Sydney Flame Carla Pitman and former Centre of Excellence talent Sophie Taylor.

The Gangurrus tip off their World Cup against Japan at 5.25pm AEST, before a fixture with Kenya late that day (10pm).

Their final two pool matches are on Friday against Slovenia (7.30pm) and the United States (10.25pm).

The men’s team features Devan Craig, Keegan Phillips, Griffin Bower and Will Mahoney and will play Poland, France, Kenya and Algeria in the group stage.

All matches will be streamed live on the FIBA 3X3 YouTube channel.

Australia’s 2026 FIBA Women’s 3×3 Under 23s World Cup schedule:

– Australia v Japan – Tuesday, September 15 – 5.25pm AEST
– Australia v Kenya – Tuesday, September 15 – 10pm AEST
– Australia v Slovenia – Friday, September 17 – 7.30pm AEST
– Australia v United States – Friday, September 17 – 10.25pm AEST

ANTWERP (Belgium) — The pool phase has delivered the first twists and turns of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026. Now comes the part where every possession carries even more weight. With the Quarter-Finals looming in Antwerp, the teams still standing have little interest in looking too far ahead. The message coming from the players is remarkably consistent: recover, trust the work, stay together and be ready to raise the level when the knockout rounds begin.

For Lithuania, that mentality has been the foundation of their campaign. After getting past Ireland, Paulius Sorokas insisted the defending Europe Cup men’s champions are taking the tournament one game at a time. That mindset will be tested against top seeds Serbia in one of the biggest matchups of the Quarter-Finals.

“We focus on our own game,” Sorokas said. “Our goal will be to make things difficult for them and not allow easy scoring opportunities.”

For reigning FIBA 3×3 World Cup champions Latvia, meanwhile, they exactly what it takes to deliver under pressure. Kristaps Gludītis led all players in scoring through the first two days with 20 points, including a starring performance in Latvia’s comeback win over Lithuania. The numbers, though, mean little to him now.

“I don’t think too much about the numbers,” Gludītis said. “My role is simply to do whatever is needed to help the team win.”

That same team-first mentality is resonating across the competition. Spain’s Diego De Blas described his team’s approach in similarly simple terms after a perfect start. The renewed Spanish squad has been building chemistry through time together, but De Blas knows the process matters more than any early results.

“Game by game,” he said.

Germany’s Fabian Giessmann echoed that confidence after two wins on Day 1, pointing to the chemistry the team has built over time and the belief generated by winning their last two World Tour stops.

“We found a way to win both,” Giessmann said. “Now we focus on the Europe Cup title.”

For the women, the same focus is evident. Reigning champions Netherlands advanced behind another strong performance from Noortje Driessen, who knows the pressure will only increase from here.

“The stakes are high and there’s a lot of pressure,” Driessen said. “We know we’ll have to earn every result.”

Spain’s women have faced a different challenge. With longtime pillars Sandra Ygueravide and Vega Gimeno no longer on the court, Gracia Alonso de Armiño has taken on an even greater leadership role within a renewed Spanish group. Yet rather than viewing the changes as a weakness, she sees a team that has learned to share the responsibility.

“Everyone is valuable,” she said. “We all have our responsibilities and we all know that we are important for the team.”

That chemistry has been built over years of playing together on the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, while the influence of Ygueravide and Gimeno remains part of the team’s foundation.

“We have a great coaching staff and we have a lot of experience together,” Alonso de Armiño said. “We trust each other, and we know what we have to do.”

Spain’s reward is a Quarter-Final against hosts Belgium, but Alonso de Armiño is not looking beyond that challenge.

“It’s always tough,” she said. “We have to be at our best.”

Azerbaijan are equally determined. After losing their opening game to the Netherlands, Alexandra Mollenhauer said the team regrouped, addressed what needed fixing and responded with a decisive win over Ukraine to reach the knockout stage. Now their objective is clear.

“We’re coming into this tournament with one clear goal: to win the title,” Mollenhauer said.

And then there is Serbia. The No.1 seeds remain unbeaten, but Strahinja Stojacic knows the margin for error has disappeared. Serbia face defending champions Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals, with just hours to recover and prepare.

“We have 20 hours to recover, rest and prepare properly,” Stojacic said.

That is the reality of knockout 3×3 basketball.

No more second chances. No more saving something for later.

As Stojacic put it, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup has reached a level where “every single game is tough.”

The pool phase established the contenders. Day 3 will decide who can handle the pressure, make the winning plays and lift the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 banner.

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

Team USA women’s basketball has several college stars to thank for its latest gold medal.

On June 7, the USA women’s basketball 3×3 roster secured gold with a 21-20 win over Australia at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland.  The victory comes after a gritty 19-18 overtime win over Azerbaijan in the semifinals.  The winning group included South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, LSU’s Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley, plus Oklahoma forward Saraha Williams.

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Since the event began in 2012, the American women have medaled five times, including four gold medals (2012, 2014, 2023, 2026) and one bronze (2016).

Mikaylah Williams, who made the game-winning basket to push the USA out in front, also walked away with MVP honors. She scored a team-high nine points in the matchup. Mikaylah led the team in scoring with 6.6 points per matchup a joined Cameron Brink (2023) as the only other American woman to take home an MVP award.

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

Edwards, a star at South Carolina, has the led Gamecocks to two national title games. The 6-foot-3 forward was a consensus All-American as a sophomore this past season, averaging 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 57.1% from the floor.

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Mikaylah Williams has started in 105 of the 106 games she’s played at LSU and was named to first-team All-SEC for a second time this past season. Over her career, Mikaylah has averaged 15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.

Edwards and Fulwiley previously played together at South Carolina during the 2024-25 season before Fulwiley transferred to LSU, where she plays alongside Mikaylah Williams. Fulwiley has won the SEC’s Sixth Player of the Year twice and has also been named to an All-Region team in the NCAA Tournament twice. Last season, Fulwiley averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

Sahara Williams averaged 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the floor this past season for the Sooners. She helped Oklahoma make the Sweet 16 during the 2026 NCAA Tournament, where the Sooners fell to Edwards and South Carolina.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina, LSU stars lead Team USA women to FIBA 3×3 World Cup gold

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

LSU star Mikaylah Williams hit the game winner with 28 seconds left as the U.S. women reclaimed the world title in 3×3 basketball, 21-20 over longtime 5×5 rival Australia, on Sunday.

Williams, a rising LSU senior, was MVP of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland, where the Americans went undefeated for the first time since 2014 and earned their fourth world title.

The U.S. quartet in Warsaw also included fellow LSU star MiLaysia Fulwiley (team-leading nine points in the final), South Carolina leading scorer Joyce Edwards and rising Oklahoma senior Sahara Williams.

The first FIBA 3×3 World Cup was in 2012, and the event made its Olympic debut in 2021. The U.S. won the first Olympic title in Tokyo, then took bronze in Paris.

At the 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Cup, a U.S. quartet that also included Mikaylah Williams and Sahara Williams lost in the quarterfinals to host Mongolia.

Another 3×3 World Cup is scheduled for 2027 in Singapore.

For the 2024 Paris Games, the original U.S. women’s 3×3 roster of four players included three from the team that won the 2023 World Cup: Cameron Brink, Cierra Burdick and Hailey Van Lith. Burdick and Van Lith were also on the 2022 World Cup team.

Brink later tore an ACL before the Games and was replaced by Dearica Hamby for Paris.

Since Paris, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Elena Delle Donne was named the first USA Basketball women’s 3×3 national team managing director, tasked with forming teams for major championships.

Also in Warsaw, the U.S. men lost in the quarterfinals to France 14-11. The team was made up of 2024 Olympian Dylan Travis, plus Henry Caruso, Mitch Hahn and James Parrott.

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Latvia won its first men’s 3×3 World Cup title.