Top men to watch at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024

SINGAPORE - The best players on the continent are ready to launch the new season in style at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024 in Singapore on March 27-31. 

Anand Ariunbold (Mongolia)

Mongolia's hero will return to the site where he hit one of the most iconic shots in his country's 3x3 history.

In case you have forgotten, Ariunbold was stone cold to deliver Mongolia the Asia Cup 2023 title with a clutch three-point play to dethrone three-time defending champion Australia. 

After that spectacular performance, Ariunbold deserved a dope nickname and he was soon christened with 'The Archer'. He'll have to be on target because he is the only gold medal winner returning for Mongolia. 

But you just know his radar will be working as Anand Ariunbold looks to create more special memories for his 3x3-mad nation.

Yuanbo Zhu (China)

There might not be a crazier athlete than this 6ft. 8in (2.03m) Chinese monster, who learned important lessons being around superstars Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis with Beijing on last year's World Tour. 

He can flat out embarrass defenders with his power as he showed at last year's Asia Cup, with Zhu dominating the paint and he shot 70% from inside the arc. 

China fell short of a podium finish with an agonizing loss to New Zealand, but you just know that will just make Zhu hungrier. Buckle up because he is going to be in all out attack mode in Singapore. 

Tomoya Ochiai (Japan)

OGs know this dude better as 'Worm' . He's a 3x3 OG himself because he's simply born to flat out dominate the half-court.

Ochiai has thrown some absolutely filthy dimes and while many have tried, no one is quite as good at pulling off crazy tricks like this Japanese legend. 

He is entering Singapore having won some titles at Japan’s 3x3.EXE Super Premier Pro League. This confident dude will be out to show off his latest tricks that he has invented with the Wilson. 

Todd Blanchfield (Australia) 

The sharpshooter is the only player returning  from Australia's silver winning team in 2023. 

That was his first event in 3x3 and he was like a duck to water as Blanchfield poured in 30 points to be one of the leading scorers of the tournament. But he's not just a one-trick pony because this Aussie can blow by defenders and  dunk with authority. 

Blanchfield will be eyeing the MVP and it will be foolish to bet against him. 

 Sahaij Sekhon (India)

India is a sleeping giant of 3x3 with a huge population that is ripe for talented players on the half-court. The talent scouts are most excited about 22-year-old Sahaij Sekhon, who is an athletic marvel and has body control in the air that makes him appear as if he is an Olympic gymnast. 

There's something special about this 6ft. 6in (1.98m) prodigy,  who looms as the breakout player of the competition.

Tai Wynyard (New Zealand)

Tai Wynyard might still have some blood, sweat and tears left at the Singapore Sports Hub. He gave everything he had to will New Zealand to bronze at last year's Asia Cup. 

He inspired a rally against China with the 6ft. 8in (2.03m) beast finding energy to continually attack the rim as New Zealand reached the podium.

It was a performance full of heart from Wynyard, who finished on the Team of the Tournament but he's ready for even higher honors with this man mountain eyeing the MVP and a gold medal this time around in Singapore. 

FIBA