UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - It's the final countdown ahead of the biggest party as the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2024 launches with the traditional Utsunomiya Opener on April 27-28.

Here are the top five reasons to watch the much-hyped season opener for free on our Facebook and YouTube channels.

The best teams will be in Utsunomiya 

We've loaded up with the best in the business as the top 10 ranked teams will be ballin' in Utsunomiya. There are seven teams in the draw who won Masters titles in 2023. 

And all-conquering Ub Huishan NE (SRB) will have a target on their back after two straight seasons of running through the competition.

They two-time defending champs have their four big guns returning, but so will No.2 seed Miami (USA) led by Jimmer Fredette who made every half-court wet in 2023.

The Americans will likely have the same line-up that will comprise Team USA at the Paris Olympics, so you'll want to watch them closely. 

Amsterdam (NED) and Vienna (AUT) are established European powers and both won Masters last season, and so too Partizan (SRB) and Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) - two teams who went up a level in 2023.

Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) created history last season with a historic Masters title and they'll be motivated for more Ws to satisfy their 3x3 diehard fans back home. 

Lausanne (SUI) and San Juan Church's (PUR) fell short of Masters glory, but they've got the swagger, skill and steely determination to break their droughts. 

Oh and there is a team that you have not heard of. They go by the name of Riffa (BRN), but you well know these brilliant Belgians who boast scoring machines Thibaut Vervoot and Jonas Foerts, while defensive ace Dennis Donkor will continue to terrorize opponents. 

Asian power Japan will be looking to make a statement

Japan have been an Asian 3x3 force for some time and their teams will be desperate to put on a show for the passionate home fans in Utsunomiya.

There are four talented Japanese teams in the draw and they'll be ready having been part of the extremely competitive Japan’s 3x3.EXE Super Premier Pro League. 

The hopes of the locals will likely rest with hometown heroes Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN) and Saitama ALPHAS EXE (JPN), who boast Japanese superstars Yosuke Saito and Tomoya Ochiai respectively. 

The best players will be fighting for the crown

All off-season, the best players in the world have been obsessively thinking of one player.

That would be Strahinja Stojacic, who is the undisputed best 3x3 player alive and wears the belt until someone can consistently outplay him while collecting titles and MVPs. 

It's a daunting task, especially in Utsunomiya where Stojacic has been hotter than wasabi having won consecutive MVPs there. But Jimmer Fredette and Worthy de Jong aren't far off the pace after starring in 2023 in their first full seasons on the World Tour. 

They'll be even better this season with both superstars wanting to end Stojacic's dominance. But the talent is so deep in 3x3 that a bunch of players could easily go up a level and seize the crown. We're looking at Quincy Diggs, Aurelijus Pukelis and Stefan Milivojevic.  

Above all we've got the best entertainers around with a dude like Gilles Martin being a natural born showman, while high-flyer Modestas Kumpys was born above the rim. 

Fan favorite Utsunomiya is an iconic 3x3 destination 

It's little wonder that Utsunomiya is the season opener for the third straight year. This historical city is the perfect place to launch such a showpiece event. 

It's become an iconic part of the calendar and boasts maybe the most cultural, spine-tingling setting. The event is staged at the Futaarayama Jinja shrine, which was founded 1,600 years ago and is where people go to pray.

It's truly an honor for the World Tour to be played at such a historical treasure and it starts a 3x3 binge in Utsunomiya, which will also host FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 2024 from May 3-5. 

Don't forget the dunk and shoot-out contests!

World Tour events would not be complete without everyone's favorite attractions - the dunk and shoot-out contests. 

The dunk contests featuring pro dunkers are absolutely lit and they always bring it in Utsunomiya, where some of the most legendary contests have been staged.

We're especially amped up to see whether Gustavo Haakin aka 'Dunkboy' can become the first Brazilian to win the dunk contest on the World Tour. 

FIBA