ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - It was an unforgettable FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025 with new winners crowned in the showpiece event of the year that thrilled a global audience from June 23-29.
The non-stop entertainment rocked Ulaanbaatar's historic Sukhbaatar Square as huge crowds ensured the ninth edition of the World Cup just has to be rated the greatest ever in history.
Before we resume the pro circuit, let's reflect on what we've learned.
Spain have arrived
We all know the might of Spain in basketball and that has followed through into women's 3x3, where their beloved women's are Olympic silver medalists and Europe Cup winners. But the development of men's 3x3 has been a little slower.
Until now when Spain shocked the world to join Serbia, Qatar and the USA as the only men's World Cup winners in tournament history. The 12th seed were unfancied coming in despite some strong form from their players on the pro circuit.
They made a commanding start with opening wins against Switzerland - only a mind reader could have known that this would be the gold medal preview - and Lithuania, but their confidence nosedived quickly against Great Britain and the Netherlands.
Spain were plunged into the play-in against Asian champs Australia, where a light flicked within them. It became a turning point for Spain as their legendary run started in what might just tilt the balance of power in men's 3x3.
Having thrashed Australia, Spain then overwhelmed China, Germany and once again Switzerland to be crowned champs and ensure the basketball power had now arrived on the half-court.
It was a team effort for Spain, with new stars making a name for themselves on the half-court. Guim Exposito was named MVP after a stellar all-round performance, while Diego De Blas was lights out from deep in the final to prove he has nerves of steel.
Netherlands confirm top dog status
All the pressure was on all-conquering Netherlands to take out the women's title. They had dominated the Women's Series so far and were No.1 for a reason, boasting the game's two highest ranked players - Noortje Driessen and Janis Boonstra.
But the Dutchwomen had to overcome a hoodoo having never seriously contended at the World cup before. It looked like their curse was continuing after opening losses to Japan and USA piled the pressure on them.
But the Netherlands didn't wilt as they showcased resiliency to storm through the rest of the tournament with six straight wins.
They were never seriously challenged although had to pull out the big guns to overcome AmeriCup champs Canada in the semis before mustering their mental resolve to defy a rowdy home crowd in the gold medal game against Mongolia.
Superstar Driessen underlined her status as the best women's player on the planet with a tour de force to walk off with the MVP, but she had plenty of support from her trusted teammates.
In what has been a momentous period for Dutch 3x3, with their men gloriously winning gold at last year's Olympics, it was the Women in Orange's turn to create history and lift the Netherlands' first World Cup trophy.
Mongolia almost were the host with the most
We have seen incredible giant-killing runs before but this surely has to be the best ever. It's certainly the most memorable with home heroes Mongolia captivating their 3x3-crazy nation with a run for the ages to storm to the World Cup final.
It appeared a tougher task than existed in Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning with Mongolia seeded 12th and they had never progressed beyond the group phase from three previous World Cup appearances.
But riding a tidal wave of support, Mongolia went on the most improbable run ever seen at the World Cup, including thrilling OTs wins over Ukraine and China, before an upset of the ages to end mighty USA's title defense.
Best was yet to come when Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene hit an amazing two-point buzzer beater in an OT to lift Mongolia past Poland and into the final. There were scenes of jubilation at the venue that mirrored the delirium right across Mongolia as this passionate 3x3 nation was assured of their first World Cup medal.
They came up short in the final, but the World Cup 2025 will always be remembered for Mongolia captivating their nation as these heroes inspired the new gen of what is possible on the half-court.
Switzerland come of age
Switzerland have long puzzled on the half-court. They've had electrifying players and impressive teams on the pro circuit, but success at the international level had proven elusive. Switzerland had only qualified for the World Cup once before and were not rated among the contenders as the 13th seed in the men's draw.
But Switzerland came of age in Ulaanbaatar in what might be the tonic for this talented nation to truly rise as a 3x3 power. A pair of 1-point wins over Olympic medalists Netherlands and Lithuania in the pool stage gave them confidence that only grew as the tournament progressed.
The Swiss Maestros beat former Olympic gold medalist Latvia then all-conquering Serbia in a pair of upsets that were the best one-two punch in the country's 3x3 history. They fell short in a high-octane final, but the Swiss were soon basking in satisfaction knowing they had achieved history for the small country.
Switzerland's hero was Natan Jurkovitz, who delivered a tour de force in a fitting performance for a much-loved player grinding away at the pro circuit for many years. He finished in the Team of the Tournament to prove that his best days on the half-court might still be ahead.
Serbia settle for bronze
Underlining the winds of change in men's 3x3, six-time champs Serbia had to settle for bronze as their hopes of a three-peat ended in disappointment.
But they didn't walk away empty-handed with the top seed finishing with bronze to ensure the GOAT 3x3 nation has medalled in every World Cup bar 2019 - where they finished fourth.
The signs were there from the get go that this was going to be the toughest task yet for Serbia after they lost to Asian champs Australia early, but they regrouped with an eye-catching thumping of young guns Germany to round out the pool phase.
Serbia mustered all their experience to overcome Puerto Rico in a quarter-final thriller, but were left stunned in the semis by a Swiss team playing the game of their lives. The unthinkable appeared to be happening when Serbia were in danger of leaving without a medal after they fell in an early hole against Germany in the bronze medal game.
But this proud team mustered all their resiliency to mount an inspired comeback and leave with a medal around their necks. It might not have been the color they're used to, but Serbia still showed they are a force even as new powers emerge.
Superstar Strahinja Stojacic finished on the Team of the Tournament after yet another stellar all-round performance, but ice cold shooting from beyond the arc proved costly.
Canada cement legacy
It might not have been elusive gold for Canada, but they added another medal to go along with their triumphs at the AmeriCup and Champions Cup. The Canadians overcame back-to-back losses against France and Hungary to rediscover their best against Japan in the play-in before a thrilling 1-point win over Olympic gold medalist Spain in the quarters.
They were no match for the Netherlands in the semis, but Paige Crozon went on a heater with 13 points as Canada thrashed Poland to win bronze. Champions Cup MVP Saicha Grant-Allen finished on the Team of the Tournament as she joined her teammates singing 'Oh Canada' knowing they had added to their legacies.
Double disappointment for Team USA
It doesn't matter which form of hoops they play, expectations are always impossibly high for Team USA. And they've usually delivered at the World Cup with a combined four titles across genders.
But they left bitterly disappointed after both their men's and women's teams lost in the quarter-finals. It was only the second time - when both their teams competed - that Team USA have gone home empty-handed.
Their new-look men's team started strongly with an unbeaten pool phase before their title hopes ended after a beatdown to a young and hungry Germany.
It was a similar story for the women with Team USA rolling through early in the competition, including a tough victory over eventual champion Netherlands. But the Americans struggled amid a febrile atmosphere against Mongolia in an error-strewn performance to flame out in the quarters.
There were some bright spots, especially from college phenom Sarah Strong who proved why she is such a hot prospect by dazzling on the half-court.
Ulaanbaatar was an incredible host
We knew this would be special. Mongolia played host for the first time as the World Cup returned to Asia after seven years.
Mongolia has been perhaps the biggest feel-good story of 3x3 with truly astonishing success on-and-off the half-court, where this game has become the No.1 team sport in the landlocked East Asian country.
The crowds in Ulaanbaatar were electric and the atmosphere at a frenzy, especially every time their national teams were on the half-court.
We are all still amped up from the experience and the fond memories will always hold a special place in 3x3 lore.
FIBA