UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Miami (USA) repeat their Utsunomiya heroics, defeating Amsterdam Rabobank (NED) 21 - 17 to win the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2025 on April 27.
The American side shine in the Japanese city yet again, going unbeaten on their way to the final. Though sporting a new-look compared to last season, Miami took no time in finding form, finding offense output collectively. Mitch Hahn and James Parrott were key in their qualification games, but huge contributions from Henry Caruso and Dylan Travis took them all the way to the final.
They would face reigning champs Amsterdam Rabobank who maintained their winning ways as well, catching fire and going unbeaten all the way to the final matchup.
A back-and-forth battle ensued between two of the premier teams in the circuit, with Miami utilising their flowing offense to notch early points while the Reigning champs worked in the paint to answer back.
It turned out to be a physical matchup throughout with neither team allowing the other to find rhythm. Dutchman Jan Driessen and Worthy de Jong pulled the offensive duties for their side, attempting to hold on to Miami who took the lead thanks to big outside shots from Dylan Travis and Mitch Hahn. With scores at 14 - 10 to the American side with under 4 minutes to go, the Dutch responded with a timely two from Maarten Bouwknecht to halve the deficit. Travis however, would cap off a scorching game with back-to-back twos to put the game firmly in their grasp.
Hahn would deliver the final blow with a huge two to make it an 20 - 15 advantage with seconds left. Amsterdam’s late bucket would be simply consolation as Dylan Travis would call game on the free throw line, a 21 - 17 victory for the Americans to repeat the W in Utsunomiya.
Mitch Hahn was immense as always for Miami, notching a team-high 30 points throughout the tournament. His aggression on both ends of the floor proved to be pivotal in their success in Utsunomiya as he would take home the MVP award.
In the individual contests, Hugo Suhard (Toulouse, FRA) won the Wilson Shoot-Out Contest while Dengxing "Dunk King" Chen won the Ashikaga bank dunk contest.
STANDINGS
Miami (USA)
Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED)
Ub (SRB)
Toulouse (FRA)
Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
Riffa (BRN)
Partizan (SRB)
Vienna (AUT)
Liman (SRB)
London (USA)
Utsunomiya BREX.EXE (JPN)
Tennoz SCC EXE (JPN)