LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - The one-year anniversary of the incredible Paris Olympics has just passed, bringing back amazing memories of 3x3's grandest week.
Quite fittingly, eight Olympians find themselves in the Olympic capital as the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2025 journeys to the annual Lausanne stop on August 15-16.
Here are the Olympians feeling nostalgic amid their hallowed surroundings.
Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam RABOBANK)
We just have to start with the dude who immortalized himself as an Olympic legend after showing the world he was most worthy of the hype. Worthy de Jong sealed the Netherlands' epic gold medal victory against France with an insane step back two to silence the crowd and cap an MVP performance.
De Jong has not quite recaptured that scintillating form this season, but with the magical Olympic dust in the air in Lausanne, expect him to feel inspired as he leads Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) back to the top.
Jan Driessen (Amsterdam RABOBANK)
The big fella will be once again lining up alongside de Jong for Amsterdam in Lausanne. He was much more than a support act on the biggest stage possible in Paris, with Driessen playing the game of his life in the gold medal decider against France.
He finished with a near triple-five to help clinch the epic triumph and if he winds back the clock in Lausanne then Amsterdam might just break their title drought in 2025.
Strahinja Stojacic (Ub)
The Paris Olympics does not bring back happy memories for 3x3's GOAT. In what is surely the most painful moment of his glittering career, Stojacic broke down in devastation after hot favorite Serbia fell in an early exit.
But those bitter memories will no doubt spark Stojacic, who is amid arguably the most spectacular stretch of his career as No.1 Ub (SRB) eye a fifth straight WT title in Lausanne.
Mihailo Vasic (Liman)
Like Stojacic, Mihailo Vasic will not look back fondly on his Paris Olympic experience. Amid Serbia's disappointment, Vasic suffered a broken nose sustained early in the tournament and he had to wear a mask in the aftermath.
But Vasic does own an Olympic medal after being part of Serbia's bronze-medal winning effort at the Tokyo Games. The powerful Vasic will be the emotional force behind legendary Liman (SRB), who are seeking a first WT title in two years.
Aurelijus Pukelis (Raudondvaris Hoptrans)
It was long felt that Aurelijus Pukelis had been an underappreciated superstar. But the lethal Lithuanian cemented his status forever after being a walking bucket in Paris to lead his country to the bronze medal.
Pukelis has continued to do what he does best - drain buckets and he's already won an MVP on this season's WT. The half-court is where unpredictable things happens, but sometimes things can be predictable like Pukelis hitting shots from wherever he pleases.
Dylan Travis (Miami)
USA' s dreams of gold faded when superstar Jimmer Fredette suffered a devastating groin injury that ended his playing career. Despite their hopes of a medal fading, USA still showed plenty of pride underlined by glue guy Dylan Travis leaving everything on the half-court.
Travis has continued to show those gritty characteristics for American powerhouse Miami (USA), who are looking to end a form slump in Lausanne.
Marko Brankovic (Ub)
The silky smooth southpaw was part of Serbia's Olympic campaign last season, but can keep his head held high after a solid performance. He might be overshadowed by Stojacic, but Brankovic is a superstar in his own right and an all-round marvel.
In the absence of 'Doctor Strange', Brankovic made sure the half-court in Hong Kong was his multiverse with an MVP performance and you just know he's more than capable of a mic drop in Lausanne.
Evaldas Dziaugys (Raudondvaris Hoptrans)
Pukelis might have received the flowers in Paris, but Dziaugys was a brilliant sidekick to play a major role in Lithuania's bronze medal campaign. He hit clutch shots under pressure to reinforce why he's known worldwide as Evil Knievel.
Dziaugys has again been a brilliant second option for Raudondvaris (LTU), averaging 5.2 ppg this season and you just know he'll step up with reminders of the Olympics everywhere he looks in Lausanne.
FIBA