Everything you need to know before first-ever FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup

MIAMI (USA) - After so much anticipation, the first-ever FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup is about to start with a bang as some of the best players in the world head to glamorous Miami for the unveiling of the continent's premier 3x3 international competition.

Let's take a closer look at everything you need to know before the action starts on November 12. 

Where can I watch the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2021?

The action runs from November 12-14, and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages. If you are based in the United States, you can follow the event on livexlive.com/fiba

Who is competing in Miami?

Men: USA (hosts), Canada, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Haiti, Jamaica, Aruba, Guyana.

Women: USA (hosts), Canada, Chile, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Jamaica, Guyana. 

What are the pools?

Who are the favorites?

In the men's, it's hard not to go past No.1 seed Team USA who will be out for revenge like John Wick after missing out on the Tokyo Olympics. 

But it's a new-look USA team with the additions of recent NBA player Charlie Brown Jr. and Trey Bardsley who has impressed for World Tour newbies Omaha 3Ball. 

There is much anticipation over the exciting newcomers but USA will lean heavily on FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2019 winners Kareem Maddox and Canyon Barry. 

USA are favorites and extra motivated but we well know there are no guarantees. And they will be challenged by a loaded field with perhaps a revitalized Puerto Rico shaping as their biggest threat.

A 3x3 pioneer, Puerto Rico had fallen off the radar in recent years before the stunning emergence of San Juan PCI Group on the World Tour. They won the Lausanne Masters and were runners-up in the most recent Mexico City Masters. 

The No.5 seed will have two members of that team - Angel Matias and TJ Fernandez - in Miami as Puerto Rico hope to continue their remarkable comeback tour. 

No.2 seed Canada will also fancy their chances with long-time 3x3 stars Steve Sir and Bikramjit Gill leading the way. 

In the women's, No.2 seed USA much like their male counterparts deserve to be favorite as the hoops power aim to continue their winnings ways after claiming Olympic gold in Tokyo.    

It's a totally different line-up in Miami but as per usual this is a star-studded team with firepower galore. 

Canada, however, have top billing as the No.1 seed after a runners-up finish in the Bucharest Final on the Women's Series. They will bring three members of the line-up to Miami as Canada, who have been a Women's Series power from the get go, aim to prove they are the continent's best, with the twin-less Michelle Plouffe and wonderwoman Catherine Traer leading the way.

The two North American teams appear likely finalists but the rest of the field can't be taken lightly especially No.3 seed Chile and No.4 Brazil. 

Who are the players to watch? 

Strap yourself in and get ready for Charlie Brown Jr. who is fresh from a couple of stints in the NBA with Oklahoma City and Atlanta. The 24-year-old is an athletic marvel who can fill our top 5 plays by himself! 

But he's hardly a one-man show on USA with Kareem Maddox a long-time fan favourite and he's all cream around the rim. 

Canada can almost match their neighbours in talent headlined by 3x3 great Steve Sir and dunking machine  Bikranjit Gill. Having retired from the World Tour at the Montreal Masters, sharpshooter Sir wants to prove he can still yell out his trademark "yessirrr". 

Tissot Buzzer Beater king Angel Matias must have wings attached because this dude can perform miracles in the clutch. While Mexico's hopes will revolve around big fella Jose Carlos Zesati who at 6ft. 9in. (2.06m) will be maybe the most intimidating player in Miami. 

In the women's, take your pick from the USA's star-studded lineup. Cierra Burdick is maybe the standout as a FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2014 winner and more recently having led the USA to their first-ever Women's Series victory with the title in Klaipeda, Lithuania. 

Canada boast the highest ranked player in the tournament with Women's Series star Michelle Plouffe ranked 26th in the world. She'll be without her twin sister Katherine, but don't worry Canadian fans because she's developed great chemistry with teammates Paige Crozon and Catherine Traer.

Other players to keep an eye out for include speedy Yohanna Morton from the Dominican Republic.

FIBA