SHENZHEN (China) - After a thrilling stop in Shanghai sparked the resumption of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2025, things are about to go up a level in Shenzhen on October 4-5. Here is all the important information for the 12th stop on this season's WT.
Where can I watch the WT Shenzhen? The action runs from October 4-5 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel. Who is competing in Shenzhen? Nine of the top 11 teams in the rankings and a total of 14 squads: Ub, Amsterdam Rabobank, Toulouse, Vienna, Chongming, Raudondvaris Hoptrans, Riffa, Hangzhou, Partizan, Valencia, Shanghai, Samobor, Brisbane CLB EXE, Nosy Be What are the pools?
Who are the favorites? Not only is this an absolutely loaded draw, but there are many determined teams desperate to shrug off disappointment from Shanghai.
They don't have to wait long and that will be music to the ears of top seed Ub (SRB), whose ridiculous winning streak on the WT ended after they were stunned in the quarter-finals by Hangzhou (CHN).
Ub will enjoy returning to Shenzhen, where they went all the way last year.
The Serbs weren't the only ones leaving Shanghai disappointed, with Amsterdam Rabobank's (NED) barren run on the WT 2025 continuing after they fell to eventual champs Miami (USA) in the quarters.
Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) also fell in the quarters despite scoring machine Evaldas Dziaugys turning into Evel Knievel.
Perhaps the biggest underachiever was Toulouse (FRA), whose form slump continued after a Day One exit although they did split their games. Superstar Franck Seguela looked rusty after a layoff and perhaps he will be better up second time around in Shenzhen.
There were some teams, however, who left Shanghai with a swagger. We're looking at Hangzhou who stormed to the final on the back of a heat check from Milos Jovanovic, while Aleksandar Lazic again took the aerial route.
Chongming (CHN) also dazzled in a semi-final run and they'll look to go even deeper as they lean on OG Karlis Lasmanis to take center stage in Shenzhen.
We just have to mention Vienna (AUT), who weren't in Shanghai and have been well rested. The last time we saw the Austrians they lifted the title in Debrecen, where Quincy Diggs took home the MVP and he will be looking to repeat the dose in Shenzhen. Who are the players to watch?
We've already named a bunch, but not the GOAT - Strahinja Stojacic who had a rare off tournament in Shanghai. You just know 'Doctor Strange' will be ready to again make the half-court his multiverse and he will be well supported by Marko Brankovic, who was on fire in Shanghai.
Worthy de Jong provided plenty of razzle and dazzle in Shanghai to prove that he's ready for a late season push, while two-way force Dennis Donkor continued his brilliant form to lift Riffa (BRN) out of a rut in an encouraging semi-final campaign.
Partizan (SRB) talisman Stefan Milivojevic has gone up a level in recent times to issue a reminder that he's a 3x3 Gladiator. All that's missing is a WT 2025 MVP and you just know he'll be roaring on the half-court if he achieves that in Shenzhen.
And don't sit on Javier Herrero, who is a walking bucket and he ensures that underdog Valencia (ESP) just has to be taken very seriously.
FIBA