DEQING (China) – The FIBA 3x3 World Tour returns to China this weekend, and World Tour Deqing 2026 has no shortage of star power. With 14 teams set to battle on September 26-27, several of the biggest names on the Pro Circuit will be looking to make their mark as the season enters its decisive stretch.
Here are the players to watch in Deqing.
Strahinja Stojacic (Ub)
There is little introduction needed for the man known as "Doctor Strange." Stojacic remains the benchmark of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and continues to lead all players in overall player value. He recently helped Serbia reach the knockout rounds of the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, adding another international challenge to an already packed season. Now back with Ub, Stojacic will be looking to lead the Serbian side to a third World Tour stop win of 2026. With Ub entering Deqing as the top seed, all eyes will once again be on the World No. 1.
James Parrott (Miami)
Few players on the Pro Circuit can match Parrott's combination of athleticism and explosiveness. The Miami high-flyer has been central to his team's outstanding run on the Challenger circuit, helping the Americans capture the recent Sansar Challenger before playing a key role in their Phoenix Challenger title run.
Parrott was particularly sharp in Phoenix, shooting 5-for-5 from the field and 1-for-1 from the free-throw line in Miami's Semi-Final win over Bordeaux. With Miami now carrying three Challenger titles this season, Parrott and company will look to translate that momentum to the World Tour and add a second stop win of the year.
Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam RABOBANK)
When Amsterdam need a big play, de Jong has repeatedly shown he can deliver. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion led Amsterdam to the World Tour Vienna title and has continued to produce during a busy stretch of the season, including top three finishes at World Tour Amsterdam, the Singapore Challenger and the Beijing Challenger.
Amsterdam also reached the Final in Phoenix before falling to Miami, giving de Jong another strong performance heading into Deqing. He will now look to cap that recent run with their second World Tour stop win of 2026.
Dennis Donkor (Antwerp)
Donkor remains one of the most dangerous shooters on the Pro Circuit, particularly when he finds his rhythm from the midrange and beyond the arc. The Antwerp star recently represented Belgium at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, where the Belgians reached the Quarter-Finals before falling to eventual champions Latvia. He then helped Antwerp reach the Quarter-Finals at the Phoenix Challenger, scoring seven points in their loss to Princeton. Antwerp will need Donkor at his best in Deqing as they prepare to navigate a difficult Pool D alongside Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy and the winner of the Qualifying Draw.
Anand Ariunbold (Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy)
Ariunbold has been one of Ulaanbaatar's most reliable two-way contributors throughout the season, earning his reputation as a player capable of impacting the game at both ends of the court. "The Archer" helped Ulaanbaatar reach third place at the Sansar Challenger, where he finished among the tournament's leading scorers. He was also a key presence during the team's run at the Hongcheon Challenger.
Westher Molteni (Toronto)
Veteran presence meets a team looking for a breakthrough in Deqing. Molteni was part of the FIBA 3x3 MotoGP Showcase and remains an important piece for Toronto as the Canadian side looks to turn promising Challenger results into a major World Tour achievement. Toronto have shown signs of progress on the Challenger circuit, including a top-three finish in Darkhan and a top-four result in Beijing. Now, Molteni and Co. will be looking to take the next step and disrupt the established powers in Deqing.
Jules Rambaut (Toulouse)
Toulouse enter Deqing with added responsibility on Rambaut's shoulders. With Franck Seguela and Hugo Suhard unavailable, the French big man will shoulder more of the offensive and defensive workload. Rambaut's physical presence and experience could prove particularly important in Pool B, where Toulouse will face second seeds Miami and Taipei WanBao. Toulouse are still searching for their first World Tour stop win of 2026, and a strong showing from Rambaut could give them the platform to make a deep run.
Quincy Diggs (Vienna)
Fresh from an MVP performance, Diggs arrives in Deqing with plenty of momentum. He led Vienna to their first FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit stop win of the season at the Hongcheon Challenger, where he combined scoring, rebounding and playmaking throughout the tournament. Vienna will now take that confidence into Deqing, where they face top seed Ub and hosts DeQing in Pool A. If Diggs can reproduce his Hongcheon form, Vienna could be a difficult matchup for anyone.
Francis Lacis (DeQing)
The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for with Lacis leading the charge. The Latvian is a reigning FIBA 3x3 World Cup champion and brings that championship experience to a DeQing side looking to make an impact on home soil. DeQing have already secured their place at FIBA 3x3 World Tour Macau 2026, but the home World Tour stop offers another opportunity to make a statement in front of their supporters. Placed in Pool A alongside Ub and Vienna, Lacis and DeQing will have little room for error. Their ability to handle the pressure of the home crowd could be crucial.
Honorable Mention: Jimmer Fredette (Miami)
It did not take Fredette long to remind everyone why his return to the Pro Circuit was generating so much attention. The former NBA veteran made his return to FIBA 3x3 competition at the Phoenix Challenger and immediately helped Miami capture the title, scoring eight points in the Final against Amsterdam. Fredette was subsequently named tournament MVP after finishing with 27 points, 10 two-pointers, 15 key assists and a tournament-best 47.6 total player value.
With Miami now boasting three Challenger titles in 2026, Fredette's return adds another dimension to an already dangerous team. Whether he takes the court in Deqing remains one of the storylines to watch, but his recent form has certainly added another layer to Miami's World Tour campaign.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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