SHANGHAI (China) – Another stop, another new champion. And it's not every day we see a team play in their first FIBA 3x3 World Tour stop of the season and win it. Well, Hangzhou Jingwei (CHN) did just that.
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2026 season continued its unpredictable start as Hangzhou Jingwei stunned the field to capture the FIBA 3x3 WT Shanghai title and become the fourth different winner in four FIBA 3x3 World Tour events so far this season.
From breakout stars to shifting power dynamics and rising Asian contenders, here’s everything we learned from Shanghai.
Completely wide open
Parity has quickly become the defining storyline of the 2026 season. Ub (SRB), Miami (USA), Liman (SRB) and now Hangzhou Jingwei have all won through the opening four FIBA 3x3 World Tour stops, with no team able to establish full control of the competition yet.
Shanghai reinforced just how difficult every FIBA 3x3 World Tour stop has become. Elite contenders continue to emerge from every region, and even powerhouse teams are proving vulnerable in pressure moments.
At this point, there may not be a true favorite anywhere on the tour.
Hangzhou have arrived
Hangzhou Jingwei entered Shanghai as a dangerous but still relatively inconsistent team at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour level. Now, they leave as winners.
Hangzhou showed toughness, composure and elite shot-making throughout the tournament. Their overtime Quarter-Finals win over Baskets Bonn (GER) may have been the turning point, giving them momentum before dominant wins over Crvena Zvezda (SRB) and Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL).
Most impressively, Hangzhou consistently elevated their level against stronger opponents. Some may say it's a lucky run, but it honestly felt like a true breakthrough.
Emerging superstar
Shanghai felt like a coming-out party for tournament MVP Vuk Borovicanin. The 24-year-old Serbian scorer delivered huge performances all weekend long, combining shot-making, physicality and swagger to completely change games. He finished first overall in both player value (45.2) and total points (34), while producing highlight after highlight throughout the event.
His 11-point performance against Skyliners (GER) on Day 1 completely shifted Pool B dynamics, and he continued delivering in every knockout game.
Borovicanin already looked dangerous entering Shanghai. Now he looks like one of the biggest breakout stars on the World Tour.
Closing the gap
Shanghai may have been the clearest sign yet that Asian teams are rapidly growing into legitimate FIBA 3x3 World Tour contenders.
Hangzhou Jingwei won the title. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) reached the Final after eliminating Liman. Shanghai (CHN) dominated Day 1 before reaching the Semi-Finals. DeQing (CHN) even upset Liman in pool play.
The depth, confidence and physicality shown by Asian teams throughout Shanghai highlighted the region’s continued development on the global 3x3 stage.
Dangerous but not untouchable
Just weeks ago, Liman looked like the team to beat on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour. Now, though, there are real questions.
After failing to reach the Final in Zadar, the Serbian powerhouse suffered another disappointment in Shanghai, getting eliminated in the Quarter-Finals by Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.
They still showed flashes of elite basketball, particularly behind Stefan Milivojevic, but the aura of invincibility surrounding the team has clearly faded. Nobody is intimidated. Any opponent now believes Liman can be beaten.
Exciting atmosphere
The Shanghai stop once again proved why it has become one of the standout events on the World Tour calendar.
Home fans created an electric environment all weekend, especially during Shanghai’s dominant Day 1 performances and Hangzhou Jingwei’s winning run. And even when the rain poured on Day 2, the fans came out in support of their halfcourt idols.
The side events also added energy to the spectacle, with Vuk Vukicevic of Crvena Zvezda winning the Shootout Contest presented by YM while hometown favorite Ren Jia Rui thrilled the crowd by capturing the Slam Dunk Contest title.
Shanghai delivered drama, highlights and memorable moments from start to finish, which is exactly what the FIBA 3x3 World Tour quite special.
FIBA