TAKASAKI (Japan) - Canada (CAN) finished their FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 campaign in style, defeating Japan (JPN) 20-10 in the Final to claim the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Takasaki 2026 title and their second Women's Series stop win of the season.
The Canadians were in control throughout the weekend, sweeping Pool A before cruising through China (CHN) and Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) in the knockout rounds. Paige Crozon and Merissah Russell then combined to lead Canada past Japan in the Final, with Russell ultimately earning FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Takasaki 2026 MVP honors.
The Winner
Canada entered Takasaki as the top seed and immediately showed why they were one of the teams to beat. They opened with a 22-13 win over Netherlands U25 (NED), with Merissah Russell scoring nine points, before closing out Pool A with a 21-15 victory over Yanjing (CHN). Katherine Plouffe led Canada with eight points as they swept their pool and advanced directly to the Quarter-Finals.
China were next, but Canada proved too strong. Paige Crozon exploded for 11 points and eight rebounds as the Canadians cruised to a 21-9 victory and a place in the Semi-Finals. There, Canada faced Neftchi SOCAR (AZE), but once again had all the answers. Russell scored eight points as Canada pulled away for a convincing 22-12 win, booking their place in the Final. Japan awaited them in the championship game, but Canada never allowed their hosts to settle.
The Runner-up
Japan delivered an impressive run on home soil to reach the Final, finishing second and providing one of the biggest stories of the weekend. The seventh seeds opened Pool B with a narrow 14-15 loss to Neftchi, but quickly bounced back by defeating hosts Takasaki (JPN) 18-13 behind seven points from Miku Takahashi.
That left Japan in a three-way tie with Neftchi SOCAR and Takasaki, with Japan advancing to the Quarter-Finals alongside Neftchi. Japan then faced Mitsubishi Electric (JPN) in an all-Japanese Quarter-Final with a place in the Semi-Finals at stake. Takahashi again led the way, scoring eight points as Japan secured an 18-13 victory and, in the process, ended Mitsubishi Electric's hopes of qualifying for the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Project Redwings Shanghai 2026 Final.
Japan's Semi-Final against Australia (AUS) was another stern test, but their balanced attack ultimately proved decisive. Momoka Hanashima led the way with six points as Japan held off the Gangurrus 20-16. That sent Japan into the Final for the first time this weekend, but they could not reproduce the same offensive rhythm against Canada. Still, their second-place finish was an impressive result in front of the home crowd and a fitting way to cap their Takasaki campaign.
The Final
Canada set the tone early in the titular contest and never looked back. They raced to an 8-4 lead before stretching the advantage to 11-4 midway through the game. Japan struggled to find their rhythm as Canada continued to apply pressure, eventually opening up an 18-5 advantage late in the contest. Japan managed a late run, but it was too little, too late as Canada closed out a 20-10 victory to lift the Takasaki trophy.
The triumph marks Canada's second Women's Series stop title of 2026, following their earlier success at WS Shanghai back in May. This gives them a strong finish to a campaign that will not continue into the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final.
Road to the Final
Australia were one of the weekend's other standout performers, sweeping Pool C after defeating China 21-12 and Singapore (SGP) 21-9. Hannah Hank was instrumental in the first victory, scoring eight points, while Amy Atwell added 10 points against Singapore as Australia advanced directly to the Quarter-Finals. They then defeated Netherlands U25 21-16 behind seven points from Atwell before running into Japan in the Semi-Finals. The Gangurrus pushed their opponents throughout, but Japan eventually pulled away for a 20-16 win.
Neftchi SOCAR also reached the Semi-Finals after surviving a dramatic Pool B. They edged Japan 15-14 in their opener before losing 13-14 to hosts Takasaki, creating a three-way tie in the pool. Japan and Neftchi SOCAR ultimately advanced to the Quarter-Finals. Brianna Fraser then took over against Thailand (THA) in the Quarter-Finals, scoring eight points as Neftchi defeated the Thai side 19-12. Fraser and Alexandra Mollenhauer combined for 15 points and 17 rebounds in a dominant performance. Their run ended against Canada in the Semi-Finals, but the fourth-place finish gives Neftchi SOCAR another strong result ahead of the Shanghai Final.
The Shanghai Heartbreak
For Mitsubishi Electric, Takasaki brought both hope and heartbreak. The Japanese side needed a top-three finish to secure the last available berth at the Project Redwings Shanghai Final. They opened with a narrow 14-16 overtime loss to Thailand before responding with a 21-13 victory over New Zealand (NZL), keeping their Shanghai hopes alive.
But their journey ended in the Quarter-Finals against Japan. Miku Takahashi's eight points helped Japan claim an 18-13 victory, leaving Mitsubishi Electric in sixth place overall and outside the top three required for qualification.
As a result, Germany will take the eighth and last place at the Project Redwings Shanghai Final.
The Reward
Canada's WS Takasaki triumph gives them their second Women's Series stop victory of 2026 and provides a fitting conclusion to their season.
Japan's runner-up finish sees them complete the top three alongside Australia, who claimed third after their Semi-Final defeat to the hosts.
Neftchi SOCAR finished fourth, while Thailand and Mitsubishi Electric rounded out the top six. With the regular season now complete, attention turns to Shanghai and the ultimate prize on the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series calendar.
MVP
Merissah Russell was named the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Takasaki 2026 MVP after another outstanding tournament for Canada. Russell finished No. 1 in the tournament in player value with 45.3 and also ranked second in total points with 32 and highlights with 17. She led the field in drives with 12 and offensive rebounds with nine, underlining her impact on both ends of the court as Canada marched to the title.
Final Standings
1. Canada (CAN) 2. Japan (JPN) 3. Australia (AUS) 4. Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) 5. Thailand (THA) 6. Mitsubishi Electric (JPN) 7. Netherlands U25 (NED) 8. China (CHN) 9. Takasaki (JPN) 10. Yanjing (CHN) 11. New Zealand (NZL) 12. Singapore (SGP) 13. Poland (POL) 14. Japan U24 (JPN) 15. Mongolia (MGL) 16. Vietnam (VIE)
To the Final
The FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 regular season is now complete, with the circuit turning its attention to the Project Redwings Shanghai Final on September 5-6. The eight best teams of the season will battle in Shanghai for the ultimate prize on the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit, with the final field now complete.
The Netherlands (NED), Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL), Rapid Bucharest (ROU), Neftchi SOCAR, Beijing (CHN), China, France (FRA) and Germany (GER) will compete for the Women's Series crown. After a season filled with new champions, dramatic finishes and a thrilling qualification race, it all comes down to Shanghai.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women's Series 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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