BANGKOK (Thailand) – The rise of Noortje Driessen (NED) and Caden Pierce (USA) to MVP honors at the FIBA 3x3 Sponsor | Red Bull Champions Cup 2026 is more than a story of individual excellence.
It is a reflection of a system working exactly as intended.
Both players are now among the standout stars of the global 3x3 basketball stage. They are also products of the discipline’s structured development pathway, having honed their game through the FIBA 3x3 Nations League and the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup.
Pathway built for progression
The 3x3 basketball ecosystem has been designed to create a clear progression from youth competition to elite international play.
The FIBA 3x3 Nations League provides consistent, high-frequency competition for young players, helping them adapt to the unique rhythm of 3x3 basketball -- quick decisions, physical play and constant transitions.
The U23 World Cup, meanwhile, serves as a global proving ground, where emerging talents test themselves against the best in their age group.
For Driessen and Pierce, those platforms were critical steps.
Driessen’s rise to dominance
For Noortje Driessen, the journey through the 3x3 basketball pathway has translated into leadership at the highest level. She has played in numerous FIBA 3x3 Nations League stops and also saw action in two FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cups (2019 and 2022).
Her performances in youth competitions helped shape a player capable of controlling games with both physical presence and scoring ability. That growth was on full display in Bangkok, where she delivered a dominant campaign capped by 15 points in the Final to lead the Netherlands to the title.
Now an MVP on muktiple senior level stages, Driessen embodies the progression from promising talent to elite performer.
Pierce delivers on potential
A similar story can be seen with Caden Pierce, whose development through the 3x3 basketball system has equipped him for the demands of the international game.
Having competed in both the FIBA 3x3 Nations League and U23 World Cup events, Pierce has grown into a player capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor. He was the USA's star as they won three FIBA 3x3 Nations League stops in 2024 and three more in 2025. His athleticism and energy were key to the United States’ title run in Bangkok, as he consistently delivered in high-pressure moments.
His FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup MVP recognition marks the arrival of another player fully formed by the 3x3 basketball pathway.
Proof of concept
The success of Driessen and Pierce highlights the effectiveness of the 3x3 basketball development model.
From youth competitions to elite events like the FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup, the pathway is producing players who are not only ready for the global stage but capable of defining it.
As the discipline continues to grow and the road to LA28 unfolds, stories like these underline a clear message:
The future of 3x3 basketball is already here, and it’s been built step by step.
FIBA