Top 3x3 men to watch at Paris Olympics

PARIS (France) - The hype is in overdrive and the wait is just about over for 3x3's second Olympic appearance. 

Let's countdown to the Paris Olympics by looking at 10 absolute must watch players.

Nauris Miezis (Latvia)

He's the man with the big....you get the point. Miezis loves nothing more than having the Wilson when the game is on the line. He's a superhero after all and has the cape on when his team needs him the most. 

And 'Robin' hit plenty of daggers, while breaking ankles in trademark fashion, to help inspire Latvia to the first ever men's 3x3 gold meal in Tokyo.

He's had a taste of gold and he likes it because Miezis - without his partner-in-crime Karlis Lasmanis who we will get to later - was unstoppable in the Olympic qualifier in Hong Kong in an MVP performance. 

Nauris Miezis is already a Latvian Olympic legend, but he - and Lasmanis - will get a chance to do what only one other person has done from the small Baltic  country and become a dual Olympic gold medalist. 

 

Worthy de Jong (Netherlands)

You better believe 'Hype Worthy' is ready for his Olympic debut. It's a perfect match with de Jong set to electrify crowds of up to 5000 at La Concorde. 

There has never been a pure scorer in 3x3 like this Dutch hoops legend, who has rewritten the record books in his short time on the half-court. And he's probably the GOAT entertainer because he's a human highlight reel with a concoction of dizzying moves and crazy dunks. 

But de Jong has become a more rounded player on the half-court this year, taking a slight step back with his offensive load in a bid to get his teammates more involved. 

The results have been devastating with de Jong tasting plenty of success this season already.

The Olympics will already be memorable for him with de Jong having the great honor of being the Netherlands' flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.

And if he gets the ultimate prize in Paris then he might just leave as 3x3's best player. 

 

Franck Seguela (France)

Hearts were in mouths across France when Franck Seguela on Olympic eve seemed to suffer a leg injury. But nothing is going to stop France's talisman from his home Olympics. 

France have come of age in recent years in men's 3x3, internationally and on the World Tour, and a lot of that has to do with the spectacular Seguela going up a level. 

Seguela is the prototype 3x3 player, who stands at an ideal height of 6ft. 7in (2m) and he can do a bit of everything. The 27-year-old is something of the poster boy for 3x3 at this Olympics, but he can more than match the hype. 

He will have all the attention every time he steps on the half-court, but it's the type of pressure this Frenchman thrives on. 

 

Przemysław Zamojski (Poland)

It was always going to be a tough act to follow from Poland 3x3 pioneer Michael Hicks, who had something of a last hurrah at the Tokyo Olympics. 

That signalled the end of an era for Poland, who turned to Zamojski to start a new chapter. He has grabbed the baton and run with it, with the sharpshooter single-handedly lifting Poland to bronze at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2021 after producing a legendary performance. 

It proved that Zamojski loves the bright lights and he's been preparing for Paris for some time. 

He's the only remaining player from Poland's Tokyo Olympic campaign, but back then he played second fiddle to Hicks. This time around, Zamojski will play top dog as he aims to lead Poland to a deep run. 

 

 

Dejan Majstorovic (Serbia)

This 3x3 legend might have the most apt nickname. In case you've been living under a rock, he's 'The Maestro' and the most successful 3x3 player in history. 

What's the common ingredient between GOAT teams Ub and Novi Sad? Dejan Majstorovic, of course. He's also won 100s - possibly not an exaggeration - of titles with Serbia. So much so that he surely will need a mansion to house all his silverware. 

But there is something missing that has haunted him for three years. Majstorovic won bronze in Tokyo, but that was considered a disappointment for hot favorite Serbia. 

Majstorovic has kept up the intensity with fierce determination for Serbia, who have been unbeatable ever since. The sniper still has the shooter's touch and if he can again be 'The Maestro' in Paris and claim gold then his legendary career will finally be complete. 

 

Karlis Lasmanis (Latvia)

'Batman' holds the mantle for producing the greatest ever 3x3 men's Olympic moment after his shot for the ages lifted Latvia to gold in Tokyo. 

And now he's out to create new memories in Paris as he reunites with sidekick Miezis. You just know he has caught 'Flight KLM' to Paris because Lasmanis is ready to take the aerial route on the half-court. 

The lethal lefty also has sweet touch from deep and is a natural showman. He loves taking center stage and will bask in the adulation of a surreal atmosphere never before seen in 3x3.

 

Jimmer Fredette (USA)

It's all going to plan for the man they call 'Himmer Fredette'.

After a highly popular basketball career, where he was a college phenom and long-time NBA player, Fredette was enticed to try the half-court with the carrot of the Olympics dangling. 

3x3 might be his true calling because this game has never quite seen a shooter like him.

He shot a truly bonkers 44% from 2s during last year's World Tour and while he's cooled off a bit this season, that's probably due to opposition teams planning like crazy to stop him dropping bombs from deep. 

You feel Fredette is warming up just nicely and he's already won two MVPs on this season's World Tour. He's about to live out a lifelong Olympic dream, but he isn't just content with making an appearance. 

Fredette wants to add another hoops gold for mighty USA in what will be the crowning moment of a career that has been followed far and wide. 

 

Strahinja Stojacic (Serbia)

Is he the 3x3 GOAT? Forget MJ v LeBron, around these water coolers heated debate is over Stojacic and Dusan Bulut.

But 'Mr Bulletproof' had to settle for bronze in Tokyo and if Stojacic can help lead Serbia to gold then it might just be a wrap. 

'Doctor Strange' has been No.1 for years now having collected titles galore on the World Tour, while he's the reigning World Cup and Europe Cup MVP.

But he has played a little within himself this season in a bid to be fresh for his Olympic debut. The 32-year-old's hold on the crown has looked tenuous with de Jong and Fredette hot on his heels. 

But Stojacic can once again make an emphatic statement if he delivers a trademark smackdown in Paris. 

 

Ning Zhang (China)

As is a theme on this list, add Ning Zhang to those who get energized by an adoring crowd. We've seen him amped up playing in front of passionate Chinese fans, with Zhang a former MVP of the Chengdu Masters. 

He was again on a different planet with a scoring binge at this season's Stop in Chengdu to prove his knack for raising his game on the big stage. 

The strongly-built 27-year-old plays with the type of energy, complete with unrelenting drives to the basket, that makes him a firm crowd favorite. 

His enthusiastic celebrations after playing bully ball has become a trademark and will no doubt be on repeat in Paris. 

 

FIBA