Azerbaijan dare to dream in bid to continue 3x3 fairytale at Paris Olympics

BAKU (Azerbaijan) - After shocking the world to qualify for Paris 2024 , Azerbaijan will be eying a giant-killing run in their Olympic debut. 

Let's take a closer look at this emerging 3x3 nation. 

AZERBAIJAN 

Ranking:16th 

Previous Olympic Appearances: 0

Squad: Tiffany Hayes, Alexandra Mollenhauer, Dina Ulyanova, Marcedes Walker

Key Player: Tiffany Hayes

The 5ft.10in (1.78m) scoring machine was the hero in Azerbaijan's stunning qualification in Hong Kong, where she averaged a team high 6.5 ppg to walk off with the MVP. 

Hayes' performance was made even more memorable as she battled injury, but her passion and unwavering desire to win came to the fore.  

The former UConn women's basketball star is a bucket getter and will have the ball in her hands when it's money time. Hayes has already proven to be a miracle worker on the half-court, but she still has unfinished business. 

Qualification: Azerbaijan booked their spot to Paris after an incredible run at the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1. 

They were seen as dark horses heading into the tournament, but those who watched last year's FIBA 3x3 Women's Series already knew Azerbaijan were the real deal.

Even though they lost to top seed the Netherlands in pool play, Azerbaijan qualified for the semis and took down Hungary 21-19 in a classic.

It set up the biggest game of their lives against Poland in the final and Azerbaijan overcame early nerves as the teams went toe-to-toe before clinching the ticket in OT. 

Expectations: Azerbaijan will enter Paris as the underdog in the eight-team draw. But make no mistake this is an emerging force in women's 3x3.

Azerbaijan, a nation of 10 million which gained independence in 1991, is the latest success story in 3x3's quest to spread hoops into new frontiers and this will be their crowning moment in any form of basketball.  

Azerbaijan have plenty of firepower to upstage their rivals in Paris with Hayes well supported by star Alexandra Mollenhauer, who hit big shots down the stretch against Poland in Hong Kong. 

Veteran Dina Ulyanova has also been a reliable bucket getter in the Women's Series, while towering Marcedes Walker has at times been unstoppable in the paint. 

As they embrace their underdog status, don't be surprised if Azerbaijan once again defy the odds and make a deep run in Paris. 

 FIBA