One reason why each 3x3 men's team can win Olympic gold

PARIS (France) - It's the final countdown as the eight men's 3x3 teams journeying to Paris dream of Olympic gold. 

Let's find the top reason why each team can win the prize of a lifetime.

Serbia: The No.1 seed have been unbeatable for years

Serbia were the hot favorite to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, but had to settle for bronze. For the undisputed 3x3 power, that was a bitter disappointment and they've vowed to take revenge ever since. 

Since then, Serbia have been unbeatable. They've won three straight Europe Cups - five consecutive overall- and back-to-back World Cups. 

Serbia have the luxury of such a deep pool of talent almost unmatched worldwide.

But they've settled on a winning formula of Ub Huishan NE stars Strahinja Stojacic, Dejan Majstorovic and Marko Brankovic alongside Liman big man  Mihalio Vasic. 

It all means the top seed deserve to enter Paris as the gold medal favorite.

 

USA: They are the most in-form team of 2024

To build chemistry - perhaps a lack of has tripped up USA at times previously - USA Basketball decided to settle on a core group of players and form a team on the World Tour. 

Thus Miami was born last year complete with former NBA player Jimmer Fredette, glue guy Dylan Travis and 3x3 vets Kareem Maddox and Canyon Barry. 

Miami were highly competitive in their debut season and got better as the year wore on to capture a couple of Masters titles in the backend of 2023. 

The Americans have gone up a level in 2024 and already claimed the Utsunomiya Opener - where they importantly beat Ub in an epic final - and Edmonton Masters.   

Fredette won both MVPs and he's peaking to perfection as he closes in on his childhood dream of becoming an Olympian.

 

Lithuania: Aurelijus Pukelis has been red-hot this year

There was a time when it felt like Aurelijus Pukelis was underrated. Surely not anymore because he's been one of the very best players in 3x3.

He's averaging 7.4 ppg on the World Tour and was key in Raudondvaris Hoptrans' (LTU), title in Marseille.

The 6ft.9in (2.05m) giant has incredible shooting touch for his size and he repeatedly hit clutch shots at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament to secure Lithuania a ticket to Paris. 

Pukelis can go toe-to-toe with anyone and that type of bucket getter can absolutely fuel a gold medal run. If he goes off in Paris then he might just add a new chapter in Lithuania's memorable Olympic hoops history. 

 

China: Ning Zhang is a one-man wrecking ball

China are considered an underdog in Paris, but they can produce a giant-killing run all the way to gold because Ning Zhang is an inspirational force on the half-court. 

He's a former MVP on the World Tour and produced one of the herculean performances so far in 2024 when he played bully ball in Chengdu to power Beijing to the semis. 

The 27-year-old is not just all strength, he has an aura about him that lifts his teammates to great heights while spooking opponents. He loves nothing more than getting pumped up in front of big crowds. 

With the atmosphere in Paris set to be absolutely electric, Ning Zhang will be in his element and he might just become a Chinese legend in the process. 

 

Netherlands: They have unlocked their full offensive potential

We could have dedicated this to superstar Worthy de Jong, who is the greatest pure scorer 3x3 has seen. But to go all the way and win gold, a team effort will be needed. 

At times the Netherlands - and Amsterdam - have been guilty of being over reliant on de Jong, but in the qualifier in Utsunomiya they might have unlocked their full offensive potential. 

De Jong did his thing as per usual, but he had plenty of support with sniper Arvin Slagter on fire from deep while Jan Driessen dominated the paint. And there is also Dimeo van der Horst, who is a legendary bucket getter and can step up whenever needed. 

It's a four-headed monster that ensures the Dutchmen can rack up 21 points very quickly.

 

France: The home crowd should fuel them to great heights

France did not receive an automatic ticket to Paris, but it was only fitting that the host nation qualified. 

All eyes will be on Les Bleus, who will have the backing of thousands of proud compatriots every time they step on the half-court. Hosting can sometimes be a curse with the pressure and spotlight intensified, but France have  players comfortable in the limelight. 

Superstar Franck Seguela always performs well on home soil, as he showed when he powered Paris to the final in Marseille.

The febrile atmosphere should be absolutely crazy and surely fuel this talented French team to an epic run that might just finish with gold. 

 

Latvia: Lasmanis and Miezis have the Olympic magic

There are only two players in Paris who already have Olympic gold medals.

Legendary duo Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis starred for Latvia in their unforgettable victory at the Tokyo Games.

Lasmanis aka 'Batman' hit the winning two-piece to seal Latvia's place in the record books, while Miezis aka 'Robin' also made plenty of big shots in the lead up. 

The 3x3 superheroes are back and they remain hungry to win another gold medal. There will be plenty of stars in Paris, but Lasmanis and Miezis absolutely know they can handle the suffocating pressure of the Olympics. 

They will always be Olympic heroes, but can further burnish their legacy in Paris. 

 

Poland: They relish being underdogs

The Poles are used to being written off. But this is one mighty 3x3 nation. They are World Cup and Europe Cup bronze medalists after all.

Poland produced one of the biggest ever 3x3 upsets when they defeated Serbia to win bronze at the World Cup 2019. 

Poland seem to relish having the last laugh at critics as they did at the OQT when the 11th seed of a loaded draw went on a stirring run, including thrilling Ws over Japan and Belgium, who both performed well at the Tokyo Olympics.

They then defeated Mongolia after a Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater from Przemyslaw Zamojski, who once again stood up on the big stage.

Zamojski already has Olympic experience which should put him in good stead as Poland will quietly go about their business before their opponents realize what has hit them. 

Don't be shocked if this ultimate dark horse defies the odds yet again. 

 

FIBA