HENGQIN (China) – The 2026 FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit tipped off in style as Skyliners (GER) claimed the FIBA 3x3 Hengqin Challenger 2026 crown after a hard-fought 15-12 win over Liman (SRB) in the Final.
In a tournament packed with elite talent and high-stakes action, Skyliners proved their class from start to finish to secure the title and punch their ticket to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu 2026.
The Winner: Skyliners (GER)
Skyliners were locked in from the outset and carried that momentum all the way to the top of the podium. After navigating a competitive pool phase, they stepped up when it mattered most in the knockouts.
Leon Fertig and MVP Niklas Kropp led the charge throughout the tournament, combining scoring punch with composure in big moments. Skyliners controlled their quarterfinal against Crvena Zvezda before taking down a dangerous Deqing side in the Semi-Finals behind Kropp’s all-around brilliance.
In the Final, they showed grit in a low-scoring battle, executing defensively and making timely plays to secure the season’s first Challenger title.
The Runner-up: Liman (SRB)
Liman once again proved why they remain one of the most consistent teams on the circuit. The Serbian side topped Pool A and battled through a tough knockout path, including a gritty win over Toulouse and a clutch Semi-Finals victory against Baskets Bonn.
With Nemanja Zigon and Andreja Milutinovic leading the way, Liman showcased their trademark physicality and discipline. However, they fell just short in the Final, unable to break through Skyliners’ defense in a tightly contested matchup.
The Final
In a defensive showdown, Skyliners edged Liman 15-12 in a game where every possession counted.
Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm early, but Skyliners found the edge through Leon Fertig, who delivered a team-high 8 points. Kropp’s leadership and composure also proved crucial as Skyliners held off Liman’s late push.
Despite Liman’s efforts to claw back, Skyliners stayed in control down the stretch to seal the win and lift the trophy.
The Reward
With the stakes high in the Pro Circuit opener, three spots for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu 2026 were on the line.
Champions Skyliners and runners-up Liman secured their qualification, while Bordeaux (FRA) also advanced as the next eligible team.
Final Standings:
1. Skyliners (GER) - qualified to WT Chengdu 2. Liman (SRB) - qualified to WT Chengdu 3. Baskets Bonn (GER) - only one GER team can qualify outright from Hengqin Challenger 4. Deqing (CHN) - already pre-qualified to WT Chengdu 5. Bordeaux (FRA) - qualified to WT Chengdu
Top Scorers
1. Fabian Giessmann (Baskets Bonn) – 37 pts 2. Dianliang Zhang (Deqing) – 32 pts 3. Niklas Kropp (Skyliners) – 29 pts 4. Leon Fertig (Skyliners) – 28 pts 5. Nemanja Zigon (Liman) – 24 pts
FIBA