MIES (Switzerland) - As we start to excitedly set our sights on the festive season, let's give a shout out to the best men's 3x3 teams of 2025.
Spain
What an incredible way for Spain to storm onto the 3x3 men's map after their historic victory at the World Cup. Development on the men's side had been far slower than their legendary female counterparts, but things are changing rapidly.
Spain shocked the world in Ulaanbaatar to join Serbia, Qatar and the USA as the only men's World Cup winners in tournament history. The 12th seed were unfancied coming in despite some strong form from their players on the pro circuit. After a mixed start, Spain beat Asian champs Australia in the play-in before starting a legendary run that culminated in beating Switzerland - another surprise finalist - in the decider. The historic triumph ensures the basketball power has now well and truly arrived on the half-court. Guim Exposito was fittingly named MVP after a stellar all-round performance.
Australia
It was another successful year for Australia, who had even more success than their usual dominance of the Asia Cup. The Aussies transitioned their team superbly with a younger and more athletic team lighting up the stage wherever they played.
Australia came into the season-opener Champions Cup as an unknown, but stole the show with a bronze medal after a major upset over mighty Team USA. Rising star Alex Higgins-Titsha had a breakout and showed off his crazy athleticism once more at the Asia Cup, where Australia's New Gen defended their crown with a thrilling win over China in the final.
USA
The Americans had double disappointment at the Champions Cup and World Cup, where they were knocked out of the quarters, but of course this 3x3 power were not going to leave 2025 empty-handed.
USA entered the AmeriCup with swagger and defended their title after beating rival Puerto Rico in the final. It was USA's fourth title in the continent's showpiece event and big fella Cameron Forte was unstoppable in the paint and deservedly walked off with the MVP in his international debut.
Madagascar
If there was any doubt, Madagascar are undisputedly the Kings of Africa. The island nation captured their third title of the last four events after beating rival Egypt in an epic final on their home half-court.
Madagascar went back-to-back after superstar Elly Randriamampionona again proved he is the best player in Africa. Their next challenge will be proving it beyond Africa after Madagascar had winless campaigns at the Champions Cup and World Cup.
Ub (SRB)
It can be cemented now. With much respect and love to OGs Novi Sad, Ub are the absolute GOATS of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour. Somehow they are better than ever after submitting a season that surpassed what came before.
Ub won seven titles from 14 Stops, including the big prize of the Manama Final. In such an increasingly loaded WT, with so many talented new teams making their mark, Ub are just at another level. This latest victory was incredible given that talisman Dejan Majstorovic, the heart and soul of the team, missed the second half of the season after a mid-year injury.
It didn't matter because Ub's depth, chemistry and determination proved once again a class above as superstar Strahinja Stojacic once again ended the season sitting on the throne.
Skyliners (GER)
There were plenty of new powers who emerged, but no one quite like Skyliners. We had been waiting for Germany's amazingly talented New Gen to seriously take the next step and Skyliners did exactly that.
Skyliners created history in Abu Dhabi when they became the first German team to win on the WT and they finished the season with a semi-final finish at the Manama Final.
The recruitment of legendary Stefan Kojic proved a masterstroke and helped escalate the development of young gung Leon Fertig, who finished 2025 as one of the very best players on the planet.
Lithuania
It just had to happen eventually. Having medalled at the Europe Cup five times in the previous nine editions, including making the final four five times in a row, hoops power Lithuania finally were crowned continental champs. Lithuania went all lith-o-mania after overcoming Baltic neighbor Latvia in a tense final, where Ignas Vaitkus overshadowed his superstar teammates to win a deserved MVP. After so many years of coming up short to much heartbreak, Lithuania finally stood at the top of the podium in a fitting feat for one of 3x3's best countries.
Miami (USA)
Ub are the GOATS but their consistent main challenger was Miami, who once again brought the heat to the WT. The Americans stormed out of the blocks at the Utsunomiya Opener, before adding another title in Shanghai.
Miami finished runner-up at three other Stops to ensure they were consistently the No.2 on the WT. They have an almost flawless team led by Henry Caruso, who stamped himself as Stojacic's greatest challenger to the crown.
He was well supported by bucket getter James Parrott, glue guy Dylan Travis and the underrated Mitch Hahn. Miami in 2026 will be eying No.1.
FIBA