DEQING (China) – Antwerp (BEL) finally got their hands on a FIBA 3x3 World Tour stop title in 2026, defeating Ub in a thrilling Final to cap a memorable weekend in Deqing. But beyond the Belgian breakthrough, the 11th stop of the season offered another reminder of just how open the World Tour has become, with seven different teams now having lifted a trophy and six more stops still to play before the World Tour Final in Rio de Janeiro.
Job Done
Antwerp's 2026 season has been a tale of near-misses and flashes of promise, but Deqing finally delivered the breakthrough. The Belgians arrived with plenty of evidence that they could compete at the highest level, having already won three Challenger stops this season. Yet a World Tour title had remained elusive.
That changed in Deqing. After finishing second in their pool, Antwerp survived a dramatic Quarter-Final against Miami (USA), 21-18, before producing one of their strongest performances of the season in a 21-10 Semi-Final win over Vienna (AUT).
Then came Ub (SRB). The Final was a back-and-forth battle, but Antwerp found the decisive plays down the stretch to win 21-17 and claim their first World Tour stop title of 2026. It was the breakthrough they had been chasing all season.
Man of the Moment
If Antwerp's title was the headline, Dennis Donkor's performance was the individual story. The Belgian star was named MVP after putting together the tournament's best statistical profile. Donkor finished with a 41.9 Player Value, the highest mark in Deqing, while his 42 total points and 16 two-pointers also led the field.
More importantly, he delivered when Antwerp needed him most. Donkor scored eight points against Miami in the Quarter-Finals, added 10 in the Semi-Final rout of Vienna and contributed eight more in the Final against Ub. His production gave Antwerp a consistent offensive weapon throughout the knockout phase and made him a fitting choice for the MVP award.
Parity Continues
Eleven stops into the 2026 season, the list of winners tells its own story. Baskets Bonn (GER) have three titles, while Liman (SRB) and Ub have two apiece. Miami, Hangzhou Jingwei (CHN), Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) and now Antwerp have each won once.
That means seven different teams have claimed World Tour stops this season, underlining the depth and parity across the Pro Circuit. And there is still plenty of room for that list to grow. Skyliners (GER), Shanghai (CHN), Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), DeQing (CHN), Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), Fuengirola (ESP), Toulouse (FRA) and Vienna are among the big name teams still searching for their first World Tour stop victory of 2026. With six stops remaining before Rio, there is plenty of time for another name to join the winners' circle.
Six before Rio
Deqing was the 11th World Tour stop of 2026, but the season is nowhere near its conclusion. There are now six World Tour stops remaining before the World Tour Final in Rio de Janeiro on December 12-13, giving the teams still searching for a breakthrough plenty of opportunities to change their fortunes.
For the established winners, meanwhile, the remaining stops provide a chance to add to their trophy haul and strengthen their position heading toward Rio. The balance of power can still shift significantly before the season reaches its climax.
Deqing's 3x3 Story
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour's second consecutive visit to Deqing provided another major weekend for one of China's established 3x3 basketball hotbeds. The tournament coincided with the Chinese Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival), adding another layer to a special weekend for the city and its growing 3x3 basketball community.
With a dedicated 3x3 Basketball Stadium and an increasingly established connection to the sport, Deqing continues to provide an important stage for the World Tour in China. And just like in 2025, this year's edition ended with a new winner, a new MVP and another reminder that there are few easy wins on the 2026 circuit.
Antwerp have finally broken through. But with six World Tour stops still remaining before Rio, the biggest lesson from Deqing may be that the 2026 season remains wide open.
The next chapter awaits.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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