Red-hot Fredette leads Miami to title at FIBA 3x3 Quebec Challenger 2024

QUEBEC (Canada) - Superstar Jimmer Fredette was on fire at the FIBA 3x3 Quebec Challenger 2024 as powerhouse Miami (USA) ran through the competition on June 28-29. 

Here's what happened in the seventh Challenger of the season.

The winner: Miami (USA)

They were: No.1 points, best shooting value & fewest points allowed

Miami lived up to their billing as the top seed with an unbeaten campaign to tune up perfectly for the upcoming Edmonton Masters. 

The Americans were challenged first up against emerging Adazi (LAT) before laying the smack down against Podgorica Kodio (MNE). 

Miami were in awesome form to demolish in-form Lausanne (SUI), who have made the final of the past stops on the World Tour, and No.2 seed Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU). 

A rematch against Podgorica Kodio proved far more difficult, but Miami prevailed largely thanks to the unstoppable shooting of Fredette, who walked off with another MVP to cement his status as one of the very best players in the world. 

The Americans also sent an ominous warning ahead of the Paris Olympics with this awesome foursome set to represent mighty Team USA. 

 

The runner-up: Podgorica Kodio (MNE)

We saw Podgorica Kodio make giant-killing runs in 2023, but they are looking to be a more consistent force this year. 

They started strongly with a semi-final run at the Marseille Masters and that form continued in Quebec. A deep campaign appeared unlikely after their first up thrashing against Miami, but Podgorica quickly regrouped to beat Adazi and qualify into Day Two. 

Podgorica had found their groove and posted impressive victories over Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) and Utrecht (NED) before falling short against Miami in a classic final after pushing them all the way. 

Petar Ivanovic and Aleksa Vujadinovic combined for a deadly one-two punch as Podgorica continue to mould into a formidable force. 

The Final: Miami 22-Podgorica Kodio 19

There was growing interest between two teams building an intense rivalry. Podgorica shocked Miami in the quarters at the Marseille Masters, but the Americans exacted revenge with a clinical victory on Day One in Quebec. 

Miami entered as warm favorites, but Podgorica were keen to cap another giant-killing run as they jumped out to an early lead thanks to the hot shooting of Marko Raicevic. 

Canyon Barry went into attack mode as he aggressively drove to the rack, before Jimmer Fredette scored three quick points to give Miami the lead.

Barry went bang, bang as the momentum appeared to be headed towards Miami. But Podgorica were a different team on Day Two and their confidence would not be dented as they clawed back with hot shooting from deep. 

The Americans again tried to pull away with a two-piece from Fredette inching Miami to a 17-13 lead. Two free throws from Barry got Miami to the brink, but Podgorica would not roll over. 

They scored five straight points capped by a two-handed slam from Petar Ivanovic to level the scores at 19 apiece. 

With the title on the line, it was time for Miami to turn to the dude they call Himmer Fredette. The former NBA player took over with a bucket in the paint before Fredette called game with a two-piece from the left side as Miami clinched the title. 

 

The reward: Three tickets to the Debrecen Masters

Miami, Podgorica Kodio and Utrecht booked their spots to the Debrecen Masters on August 31-September 1.

Final Standings:
1. Miami (USA)
2. Podgorica Kodio (MNE)
3. Utrecht (NED)
4. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
5. Dusseldorf LFDY (GER)

Top Scorers:
1. Jimmer Fredette (Miami, USA) 46 pts
2. Petar Ivanovic (Podgorica Kodio, MNE) 30 pts
3.  Evaldas Dziaugys(Raudondvaris Hoptrans, LTU) 29 pts
4. Canyon Barry (Miami, USA) 28 pts
5. Aleksa Vujadinovic (Podgorica Kodio, MNE) 27 pts

Key Stats:
- Austin Butler continued his strong form from the Chengdu Masters with a triple-five of 6 points, 6 rebounds and 7 highlights plus the buzzer beater in Princeton's (USA) Day One victory over Uberlandia (BRA). 
-Norbert Thelissen starred in Utrecht's semi-final run with his best game being a triple-five of 9 points, 5 rebounds and 10 highlights against Marijampole Mantinga (LTU) in the quarters. 
-Utrecht's Day One victory over Calabasas (USA) was the fastest game of the tournament at 6'17".

FIBA