Mid-season takeaways from epic FIBA 3x3 Women's Season 2022

12 Aug 2022

MIES (Switzerland) - It has surely been the best ever FIBA 3x3 Women's Series and the 2022 season is about to go up a level as the countdown begins for the Constanta Final on September 17-18.   

During a rare breather, let's review the first eight stops of the women's pro circuit season.  

The Women's Series is wide open

There have been eight events so far this season for six different winners. Only Germany, who started fast by going back-to-back, and red hot Canada have won multiple titles to underline this extremely competitive Women's Series 2022. 

Other champs have included the usual suspects, such as France and Spain, but new powers have emerged with China and Lithuania making statements. 

And there are several fancies knocking on the door with hoops superpower USA coming close but still unable to breakthrough in 2022, while Poland and Hungary have consistently had deep runs before falling short. 

FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2018 champs Italy also issued a reminder in Bucharest after everyone's favorite Raelin D'Alie went cray cray. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FIBA3x3W (@fiba3x3w)

 

Stars have been shining

The Women's Series' top players have been putting on a show as they fight for the crown of best player in the game. 

Germany's Sonja Greinacher started the season on fire and lived up to her top ranking with MVPs in the opening two stops.

The 6ft. 3in (1.90m) bucket getter currently leads many categories, including player values (127.5), scoring (122), rebounds (120) and double-fives (15), where she is incredibly nine ahead of next best Michelle Plouffe and Laetitia Guapo. 

Greinacher deserves her top ranking, but there are plenty of challengers for the crown. Plouffe, who packs a one-two punch with sister Katherine, has been playing possessed recently for Canada who have gone up a level since winning silver at the Crelan FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2022

Guapo, a former world No.1, returned to her best after winning MVP at World Cup 2022 and that momentum has spilled over into the Women's Series. You feel she's gaining steam for the business end of the competition. 

 

We just can't forget speedy Spaniard Sandra Ygueravide, while Klaudia Papp always taps into her bag of tricks to lead consistent Hungary.

New stars are emerging

We've had plenty of new stars emerge as they take the Women's Series by storm. USA may not have a W but that's not the fault of sniper Linnae Harper and block machine Lauren Cox.

Kamile Nacickaite and Prague MVP Monika Grigalauskyte are quickly powering Lithuania to great heights and the deadly duo are just getting started. 

 

France have an embarrassment of riches with 25-year-old Victoria Majekodunmi showing signs that she may be her country's next superstar. 

China, too, have incredible depth headlined by towering 6ft. 3in. (1.90m) Mingling Chen with the 22-year-old named MVP in Sukhbaatar to make serious claims that she deserves a spot in her country's full-strength line-up. 

Commercial teams have added a new flavor 

For the first time, commercial teams have joined the Women's Series and they've made an immediate impact.

Led by prized Canadian recruit, Rashida Timbilla, Ulaanbaatar Amazons have reached the quarters at a couple of Stops and they've provided a chance for Mongolians long line of talented pro players to get more chances on the big stage. 

Japanese team EXEWING and Germany's Dusseldorf ZOOS have also made some noise to increase the depth in the Women's Series. 

 Spots to the Constanta Final will be hard fought 

Competition for the eight spots at the showpiece Constanta Final next month will be fierce. Currently, Germany (440 points) and France (380) sit pretty well on top but it's a dogfight after that. 

Just 60 points separates third-placed Lithuania with 10th China making the final three Stops absolutely vital as teams battle to secure their tickets to the grand finale in Romania. 

Don't miss a minute as the Women's Series returns on August 19-20 in Quebec, Canada

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FIBA3x3W (@fiba3x3w)

 

FIBA