10 players we would like to see again at the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

9 Jan 2020

MIES (Switzerland) -  With the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in March, we've identified 10 players who have already tasted 3x3 and could help their teams qualify for the biggest sports event of the year.

Nina Aho (Hungary)

The 22-year-old won 2 medals back in 2015 when she led Hungary to bronze at the U18 World Cup and tasted gold at the U18 Europe Cup. Her inclusion in the Hungarian squad would add even more fire to a team with more tricks than The Witcher.  Ah! and she's a former #1 3x3 player in the World.

 
Skylar Diggins (USA) 

The 29-year-old won the first-ever  FIBA 3x3 World Cup back in 2012 and her participation in the OQT would boost the performance of an American team that has been struggling in the senior level since 2014, when they won their last World Cup in Russia. Word on the street is some FIBA 3x3 editors put a Diggins return to 3x3 on their Santa Claus wishlist.

 
Isaac Fotu (New Zealand)

The youngest player to represent the Tall Blacks - at just 17 years - won the first-ever FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Italy back 2011. The 6ft. 8in. (2.03m) could be the X factor of a New Zealand team that have struggled in 3x3 outside of Asia.

 
Bria Hartley  (France)

How would you improve a team that has won nearly every game they played in 2019? Bria Hartley would make France more unstoppable than SIA. A true 3x3 pioneer, she plays now with France due to her French roots, the team she defeated in the final of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in 2012 representing USA. Who's rooting for a rematch? 

 
Terrence Romeo (Philippines)

The FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2015 Most Spectacular Player has never represented The Philippines in 3x3 but he has reached the World Tour Final in 2014 and led Manila West to the 3rd place at the Manila Masters 2015. With his killer crossover, the former "Golden Boy"  could make the Filipino dream of qualifying to the Olympics come true.

 

Leticia Romero (Spain)

The 24-year-old won silver at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2012 back home in Madrid.  Already an Olympic medalist in Rio 2016, she could make history by winning medals in both disciplines of basketball. But first, she would have to help the country make it past the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.




Davi Rosseto (Brazil)

The 6ft. 1in. (1.85m) made his defenders dance samba against their own will at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in 2013 and 2014. The 27-year-old also competed at the 3x3 World Cup 2014 (19th though) and won the FISU World Championships the same year. His awaited 3x3 comeback would give Brazilian fans one more reason to believe they can reach the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

 

Ovidijus Varanauskas (Lithuania)

Yes, we'll admit it: we really miss Varanauskas on the 3x3 circuit. The 28-year-old led Vilnius to the World Tour Final in 2015 after winning the Lausanne Masters and won bronze at the 3x3 World Cup in 2014. Probably one of the quickest players that ever stepped on the 3x3 court, just imagine him playing alongside Uzupis and you'll get how tough that Lithuanian team would be. 

 
PJ Washington (USA)

Debrecen's rims still tremble when they hear his name. The Charlotte Hornets rising star made an impression at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2015 with dunks sicker than a Da Baby hook. It's true the U.S. did not need PJ to win the World Cup in 2019 but if the 21-year-old is added to the team, the Top 10 video will never be the same.

 

Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy)

The 23-year-old had her only 3x3 experience back in 2013 when she finished 4th the U18 World Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. The WNBA champ (2017) would be the perfect fit for "Rae Rae" making the Italian squad even more unpredictable and spectacular to watch.