MIES (Switzerland) - As we start to wind down and head into the festive season, let's give a shout out to the best men's 3x3 teams of 2024.
Netherlands
Of course, 2024 will always be remembered for the Paris Games and the first time 3x3 was played in front of fans at an Olympics. It was the Netherlands who stole the show at La Concorde, whose towering bleachers were brimming to capacity every game.
The Netherlands, a pioneering 3x3 nation and two-time World Cup runner-up, were among the favorites but struggled early and had a major worry when superstar Worthy de Jong labored with a groin injury.
But nothing was going to stop Hype Worthy, who gutsed it out and inspired his country on a magical run. He had support from veteran Dimeo van der Horst, who was the spark plug and played his air guitar numerously, sharpshooter Arvin Slagter and Jan Driessen.
But it was de Jong who made sure the Netherlands' gold medal fortunes were in his safe pair of hands. He hit a step back two-piece winner in OT to cement a permanent legacy for himself and his beloved nation.
When you think of 2024, the first image that will appear will be four jubilant Dutchmen in orange jumping for joy on the biggest stage in sports.
Amsterdam (NED)
We just have to continue with the Dutch Masters, who achieved even wider success in 2024. Having been a force for a number of years, Amsterdam (NED) finished the season as top dog after taking out the showpiece Hong Kong Final.
Their dramatic victory over Paris (FRA) in the final was a fitting way to end 2024 considering many players in the game were part of the Olympic gold medal game. And, like Groundhog Day, de Jong drilled another title-winning buzzer beater to make sure he walked off with his third MVP of the season and a new King of the half-court was crowned.
But it wasn't just all about de Jong, who wisely trusted his teammates more this season and they responded in spades. Snipers Arvin Slagter and Julian Jaring had clutch moments, while Bryan Alberts was a breakout star. Big fella Jan Driessen continued his momentum after his starring role at the Olympics.
After years of being near the top, Amsterdam finished 2024 as 3x3's best team.
France
Paris 2024 was always going to be special with fans allowed for the first time at an Olympic event after the fanless Tokyo Games. But the atmosphere was made even crazier with host France unleashing a run for the ages to trigger surreal scenes that rival anything seen at the Paris Olympics.
France were considered an underdog before the event, but they made those predictions look foolish as they fed off their frenzied fan support to almost win a gold medal. Superstar Franck Seguela was electric, while Lucas Dussoulier and Jules Rambault added size and versatility with speedy Timothe Vergiat hitting several big shots.
These Frenchmen are now heroes back home and their legacies are sealed forever. Those lucky enough to be in the bleachers at La Concorde will always have goosebumps remembering the electric atmosphere every time France stepped on the half-court.
Paris (FRA)
The confidence of the Olympics clearly helped Paris, who made a leap on the World Tour this season. Having won their first title last season, Paris made a statement and foreshadowed what was ahead with a runner-up finish in Marseille.
You think these dudes were tired after the Olympics, think again. They were riding adrenalin as they clinched the title in Lausanne with Franck Seguela staking his claim for best player in the game with an MVP performance.
Paris had unparalleled consistency in 2024 making 7 of 9 finals on the World Tour. They were unable to add to their Lausanne triumph, as they kept agonizingly falling short, but Paris finished the season among the very best teams after submitting an unforgettable 2024.
Austria
It took something special to end the Europe Cup stranglehold of Serbia, who had held the continental crown since 2018. But Austria proved to be the host with the most and ended Serbia's dominance in an incredible final that brought tears of joy for the players and their fans in the packed bleachers.
No one was more emotional than Nico Kaltenbrunner, who dominated his star-studded opponents with a triple-five of 8 points, 5 rebounds and 7 highlights. He was inspired playing in front of his newborn child in emotional scenes for this rising superstar as the famous Kaiserwiese went crazy. The Austrians also had success on the World Tour with Vienna winning a couple of titles to cap a brilliant 2024 for this nation that has become a 3x3 powerhouse.
Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
You may think it was a disappointing season for GOATs Ub Huishan NE (SRB). And maybe it was because their standards are so ridiculously high. They didn't go on their sweeping runs or claim a three-peat of the World Tour Final, but Ub were still pretty amazing in 2024.
They won five titles - the next highest was three - and were runner-up twice. It also took extraordinary Maurcie Lacroix Buzzer Beaters to knock them out in events. Maybe their luck wasn't quite with them after so much success over the last couple of years.
But it was still an amazing ride filled with Strahinja Stojacic doing GOAT things and Dejan Majstorovic adding to his bulging trophy cabinet. You just know they won't be satisfied and will be working hard over the off-season to make sure they return to their record breaking ways.
FIBA