ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - After a year's breather, the showpiece FIBA 3x3 World Cup is back and there will be iconic moments added to the tournament's treasured history at the upcoming edition in Ulaanbaatar on June 23-29. To build the hype let's look back at the greatest ever moments since the first World Cup in 2012.
2012: Serbia and USA win first-ever titles History was made in August 2012 in Athens with the first-ever 3x3 World Cup and two hoops powers made statements from the get go. Serbia had a trio of big names that would dominate the first decade of 3x3 and make up the bulk of legendary Novi Sad - Dusan Bulut, Marko Savic and Marko Zdero. They had a slow start losing early to Slovenia - another 3x3 pioneer - before clicking into gear with their most impressive victory over a USA team boasting big fella Ira Brown, who would later dazzle with his adopted country Japan. As they would repeat numerously over the years, Serbia were all money in winning time as they prevailed in a tight semi-final over Ukraine then France in the final. In the first of many triumphs, Serbia celebrated mightily.
While their male counterparts were slow off the block, the USA women's team adjusted to this exciting new game with an unbeaten campaign, including a 21-2 whooping of the Netherlands. It was easier than 1-2-3 until the business end when they were pushed to the limit by Australia in the semis and then France in the final. But led by future WNBA All-Stars Skylar Diggins-Smith, Bria Hartley and Chiney Ogwumike, USA won both thrillers by 1 point to prove they could be No.1 in the 21-point game.
2014: Qatar make history with gold; USA women's undefeated FIBA's big dream for 3x3 was to help develop hoops in non-traditional playing countries. It was a chance for new teams to emerge on the half-court and that's exactly what happened in 2014 when Qatar filmed their very own Mission Impossible in Moscow.
Gulf nation Qatar, with a population of less than 3 million, shocked the world after going all the way in a triumph that still reverberates all these years later. A title run looked like a pipedream after a first up loss to Romania, but the underdog steadily built confidence culminating in a tense 14-13 victory over Lithuania in the semis. The fairy-tale was complete when Qatar stunned reigning champ Serbia 18-13 in the final in a result that remains one of the biggest ever upsets in 3x3. And it proved to the world that there are no certainties on the half court.
Led by 3x3 OGs Cierra Burdick - who made world headlines after throwing down a dunk during warm ups - and Jewell Lloyd, star-studded USA were hot favorites to repeat and they did not disappoint with one of the most ruthless campaigns ever put together at a World Cup. Only two teams got within four points of mighty USA, who dazzled like they were on the Harlem Globetrotters. Their athleticism overwhelmed opponents who needed to go back to the class room after being taught a 3x3 lesson. USA went back-to-back and capped an unbeaten 18-game winning streak across the first two World Cups.
2016: USA sparkles in dunk fest After two underwhelming World Cup campaigns, USA men's decided to load up like Schwarzenegger on the beach in Commando. It was time for a red, white and blue statement.
This team is still revered almost a decade later and holds a special place in the hearts of 3x3 fans.
Boasting high-flying Alfonzo McKinnie and dynamic Myke Henry, both of whom were soon in the NBA, USA lit up China with a highlight reel filled with slams worthy of being in the dunk contests, insane dimes and non-stop showboating to become instant fan favorites. They clowned opponents, but fell short of the title after losing to Serbia in an all-time classic final - a thrilling game that set the bar for 3x3.
No one will ever forget the entertainment put together from the USA who showed the world that the craziest party can be completed in 10 minutes. Sit back and enjoy these plays - some of which remain the best ever seen in 3x3.
2016: Czechia women shock the world by winning gold It was time for a major shock in the women's and underdog Czechia provided it with an incredible dream-like run. But it wasn't fantasy with the Czechs recovering from an early thrashing from France to roll through the tournament, including a major semi-final upset of USA who were seeking a three-peat. Michaela Uhrova's two-piece called game and remains one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history before the Czechs thrashed Ukraine in a one-sided final to become world champs against all the odds.
2018: 'Rae Rae' leads Italy to the title Raelin D'Alie became a fan favorite in 3x3 crazy Philippines after an MVP performance to lead eighth seed Italy to a surprise title. 'Rae Rae' went cray cray as she crossed up Manila with a performance for the ages as the 5ft. 4in (1.63m) dynamo toyed with her taller opponents like they were in kindergarten. Italy overcame powers USA, China and Russia in the knockout stages leaving the passionate fans in awe as they chanted 'Rae Rae' continuously to ensure an unlikely hero emerged as D'Alie and her Italian teammates sat on 3x3's throne.
2019 - Dora Medgyessy leads Hungary to the final There is a good reason this 5ft. 8in (1.73m) baller is often called ‘the magician’. We found out why in Amsterdam in a pulsating quarter-final against favorite Spain, who fluffed their chance in OT to call game as the Wilson seemingly magically bounced to Medgyessy behind the arc. Like an assassin, Medgyessy made it look easy as she drained the buzzer beater and an unstoppable Hungry then toppled power France in the semis before losing to China in the final. But Dora Medgyessy's magic trick against Spain will always live in the memory.
2019: Michael Hicks carries Poland to bronze Michael Hicks aka ‘Money in the bank’ is one 3x3’s most popular and entertaining players ever – who represents so much of the 3x3 culture. And he most famously lived up to his reputation in 2019 against three-time defending champs Serbia in the bronze medal game - aka 'the Michael Hicks game'. Trailing 15-14, with less than 10 seconds left, the ball was in the hands of only one man - Hicks who struggled to shake off Marko Savic, one of the best defenders in the business. But street smart, Hicks up faked outside the arc on the right side and an off-balanced Savic fouled. In one of the most remarkable shots in World Cup history, Hicks somehow hit the dagger and lay sprawled on the ground as the crowd exploded. He was all money from the line to seal Poland's bronze as they finally took down their rival Serbia.
2019: USA and China win first titles It had long caused angst for USA that their men's teams had never broken through at the World Cup. But they believed 2019 was their time and they were vindicated after being superbly led by former Minnesota Timberwolves player Robbie Hummel, who proved the difference-maker and he was humming all tournament as USA went undefeated. A first up victory over three-time defending champs Serbia provided the early momentum and USA were most impressive in the knockout stages culminating in a triumph over Latvia to win gold. Finally the hoops power became the Kings of 3x3.
The world's most populous nation packed a punch in the women's with China claiming the crown with an unbeaten run. Led by towering Zhiting Zhang, China lived up to their top seed although had to survive a major fright against Australia in a classic semi-final before convincingly beating Hungry in the final.
2022: Serbia dominate and France win their first-ever World Cup There was no stopping Serbia in Antwerp as they dominated the competition from the start until the end.
The awesome foursome of Strahinja Stojacic, Marko Brankovic, Dejan Majstorovic and Mihailo Vasic were on fire throughout and showcased seamless chemistry as Serbia reclaimed the crown.
After previous heartbreak, France were not to be denied on this occasion as superstar Laetitia Guapo was absolutely inspired to lead her proud 3x3 nation all the way to a historic first gold medal.
They fought back from a tough loss against USA in the pool phase to win their-first ever gold medal at the World Cup in a triumph that still pulls at the strings of French fans.
2023: Yua Emura's explosion against Germany and the epic Serbia-USA final
The Japan women upset Germany, who just one year later would win Olympic gold, in a 21-20 thriller, thanks to the red-hot shooting of Yua Emura.
The Japanese star proved why she's one of the very best shooters in the world with a 13-point binge, including 7 of 8 from the field and a trio of twos. The game came down to the wire with Germany leading 20-19 and everyone knew who Japan would turn to.
The diminutive Emura found some room against her taller opponents and called game with an ice cold buzzer beater from the logo to cap one of the greatest performances seen at a World Cup.
Until this moment, the classic World Cup 2016 final between Serbia and USA had been the GOAT 3x3 game. It set the standard for both quality and tension on the half-court, always cited as the highest possible level of 3x3.
Move over 2016 because there is a new sheriff in town after the latest masterpiece between these two great rivals culminated in an epic final in 2023. Led by former NBA veteran Jimmer Fredette, the Americans appeared to be getting revenge and inched to the title with a 19-15 lead.
But Serbia again showcased they have the heart of a champion as they clawed back with two-huge twos from Majstorovc and Stojacic to tie the scores.
What happened next will live on in 3x3 lore as Fredette came within an inch of clinching the title, but his two-pointer rimmed agonizingly out as Serbia pounced with a couple of buckets to win their sixth title.
We can't wait to see if there is a rematch between these legendary teams in Ulaanbaatar.
FIBA