A recap of the major 3x3 winners in 2023

2 Jan 2024

MIES (Switzerland) - 2023 is over and out, but the major winners will be remembered forever and part of the 3x3 record books. 

Here are the winners of the major events in a season we will never forget.

World Cup: USA (women's)/Serbia (men's)

USA women's team won their first World Cup since 2014 after beating defending champs France in a tense final with MVP Cameron Brink and superstar Hailey van Lith walking buckets throughout.

Mighty Serbia completed a successful title defense and claimed a remarkable sixth gold medal from eight World Cups with an epic victory over USA in maybe the GOAT game on the half-court. 

Speaking of GOATs, superstar Strahinja Stojacic has legit claims after claiming MVP.

 

Asia Cup: Australia (women's)/Mongolia (men's)

In the second straight Asia Cup played in Singapore, Australia women's team were absolutely unstoppable to crush the opposition on the way to the title. 

While Mongolia enjoyed an upset for the ages to knock over three-time defending champions Australia and claim their second Asia Cup for the 3x3 mad country. 

 

Europe Cup: Netherlands (women's)/Serbia (men's)

3x3 powerhouse Serbia won an incredible fifth straight Europe Cup title after MVP Stojacic hit the Maurice Lacroix buzzer-beating two to defeat Lithuania in a thrilling final. 

The Netherlands women's team started what could be a golden era by overcoming former champs Spain in a tight final to win their first continental championship as Noortje Driessen proved their hero to walk away with the MVP.

 

AmeriCup: USA (women's)/Puerto Rico (men's)

Hoops power USA completed the World Cup/AmeriCup double by regaining their continental crown after beating Brazil in convincing fashion. 

OG nation Puerto Rico reinforced their rejuvenation on the half-court with a memorable men's triumph at home after beating Brazil and winning their first continental championship. 

 

Africa Cup: Kenya (women's)/Egypt (men's)

Kenya shocked the world in the Africa Cup final after stunning host and defending champs Egypt as Natalie Mwangale claimed the MVP. 

But Egypt brought cheers to the local fans with an unbeaten run capped by a stirring 18 -15 win over Nigeria in a tight final. 

 

Jeddah Final

No.1 ranked Ub Huishan NE (SRB) defended their World Tour Final title with a brilliant performance against Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) as Stojacic finished his spectacular season with the MVP. 

It capped an all-time season for probably the GOAT 3x3 team with Ub having started the season with a record six straight Masters titles. 

Other Masters winners: 

Antwerp Topdesk (Lausanne); MVP Jonas Foerts
Raudondvaris Hoptrans (Debrecen): MVP Aurelijus Pukelis
Hangzhou (Constanta) :MVP Vladimir Trajkovic
Miami (Cebu & Abu Dhabi): MVP Jimmer Fredette 
Vienna (Amsterdam): MVP Quincy Diggs
Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (Shanghai): MVP Steve Sir 
Liman Huishan NE (Chengdu): MVP Zhang Ning 
Paris (Wuxi): MVP Franck Seguela 
Partizan Mozzart (Manama): MVP Marko Stevanovic 
Amsterdam HiPRO (Hong Kong): MVP Worthy de Jong 

Women's Series Ulaanbaatar Final 

Canada retained their Women's Series crown with a nail-biting 16-15 victory over rival France to claim the showpiece Ulaanbaatar Final on the women's pro circuit. 

Katherine Plouffe was unstoppable with a game-high 10 points with Paige Crozon hitting the game-winning shot. Michelle Plouffe went home with the MVP as they sung 'Oh Canada' all night long. 

 

FIBA