HONG KONG - It took until very deep into this thrilling regular season, but the full list of teams are now known for the showpiece FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong Final on November 22-24 Here are the 14 teams flying to glitzy Hong Kong, which is fast becoming an iconic 3x3 venue.
Teams on the pool stage (1-11 on the World Tour standings ) Ub Huishan NE (980 pts, 5 titles)
The spectacular Serbs might not have dominated like in previous seasons, but they are still No.1 after a dominant second half of the season. They have won three of their last seven stops and were only knocked out of the other four by miraculous Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beaters.
Vienna (695 pts, 2 titles)
Led by emerging superstar Nico Kaltenbrunner, the Austrians have been a consistent contender and they reeled off titles in Almaty and Wuxi.
Riffa (609 pts, 1 title)
After a slow start to the season, Riffa found their groove during a purple patch where they made the semis in four of five stops.
They broke through in Shanghai to notch Riffa's first-ever title as two-way menace Dennis Donkor has become one of the very best players in the world.
Liman (605 pts)
This legendary 3x3 team, a constant powerhouse for almost a decade, have strangely not won a title this season so far.
Glass half-full: they keep making the quarters. Glass half-empty: they keep getting eliminated in the quarters. They have fallen at that stage in eight of 11 stops this season despite sniper Stefan Kojic cookin' all year.
Amsterdam (595 pts, 2 titles) It's been an incredible year for Dutch 3x3 and that's extended to the World Tour where the country's best team Amsterdam have won two titles. They've been led by superstar Worthy de Jong, who has walked off with two MVPs and made a case to be crowned the best player on the planet. Miami (568pts, 3 titles)
The Americans started fast with victory at the Utsunomiya Opener and have overcome a season-ending injury to former NBA player Jimmer Fredette to remain a firm title contender with scoring machine James Parrott stepping up big time with multiple MVPs.
Raudondvaris Hoptrans (555pts, 1 title)
It's been a historic year for Lithuanian 3x3 having won bronze at the Paris Olympics and Raudondvaris Hoptrans has also made their hoops crazy nation proud. They claimed the title in Marseille and have remained a constant contender ever since.
Paris (554pts, 1 title)
It's been an unforgettable year for French 3x3 with Olympic silver medalists Franck Seguela and Jules Rambaut inspiring Paris to great heights.
The Frenchmen have been amazingly consistent with five finals appearances from seven stops. They've only won one title, but Paris have quite clearly been one of the very best teams on the World Tour.
Lausanne (407 pts)
This fan favorite Swiss team came so close to winning a first-ever title on the World Title not once but twice.
But they lost both finals and Lausanne have unfortunately fallen off as the season has worn off. Still Lausanne have done enough to qualify for the Hong Kong Final as their quest for a first title continues.
Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (402 pts)
The much-loved Mongolians created history with their first-ever World Tour title in 2023, but have not been able to replicate that success so far this year. Ulaanbaatar have made two semis in the backend of the season to fuel their hope that a title isn't far away.
Partizan Meta Force (360 pts)
Much like Ulaanbaaatar, the Serbs have not been able to replicate their title-winning success from last year. They have made the semis in four of their last six stops as superstar Stefan Milivojevic continues to make the half-court his personal battle ground.
Qualifying Draw
Princeton (252 pts)
This legendary American team has regenerated and are now led by human highlight reel Henry Caruso, who is the latest sensation from his mighty hoops country.
Princeton remain elite and will fancy their chances of winning a title that has eluded this famous team despite coming close previously.
Kandava Turiba (Most wins Masters + Challengers)
Of the teams not otherwise qualified, these young Latvians won the spot for the team with the most wins on the pro circuit (Masters + Challengers).
With rising star Francis Lacis enjoying a breakout, Kandava reached the semis and the quarters in the World Tour 2024.
Hong Kong (HGK)
The host will enter the QD as underdog, but support from their passionate fans might just lift them into the main draw.
FIBA