LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - We're now officially past the halfway mark of this epic FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2025 season and that means the best players on the planet are ready to put the cape on in Lausanne on August 15-16.
We have a monster slate of superstars ready to ball out in the Olympic capital.
Strahinja Stojacic (Ub)
As usual we just have to start with the world's No.1 ranked player. We feel rather silly questioning his standing earlier in the season because the GOAT has well and truly seized back the crown.
'Doctor Strange' doesn't want to give it back any time soon as he showed in Hong Kong, where Stojacic delivered another MVP performance to add to his bulging trophy cabinet.
Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam)
The Olympic capital might just bring out the best in 'Hype Worthy', who just one year ago was standing on the podium in Paris with Olympic gold hanging around his neck. By no means has he not been all hype. De Jong still ranks No.1 in overall scoring and averages 6.7 ppg.
But we're greedy and want to see him once again reach the magical heights of a year ago. In these hallowed surroundings, Worthy de Jong might just recapture his brilliant best from that magical week in Paris.
James Parrott (Miami)
The American powerhouse have gone off the boil since their dizzying start to the season, but they're determined to get back on track. To do that they'll need scoring machine James Parrott to be on target, with the normally accurate shooter struggling from deep.
If he clicks then look out because JP is unstoppable as an inside-outside force, a mean scorer who can posterize anyone who dares step in his way.
Nemanja Zigon (Liman)
Legendary Liman (SRB) remain the last team standing out of the OGs. They are still a force and have continued to regenerate, with bucket getter Nemanja Zigon now steering the wheel.
He drips wet on the half-court and averages 5 ppg - a mark he can well and truly exceed if he goes on a heater in Lausanne.
Aurelijus Pukelis (Raudondvaris Hoptrans)
Mr. Consistent just keeps on keeping on. Perhaps he gets overlooked for showier players, but there is no one more reliable to produce a basket. He is a certified bucket getter as his insane average of 8 ppg attests to.
That mark is the third highest on this season's WT and if he tops that then this man mountain might just walk off with his second MVP this year.
Dennis Donkor (Riffa)
We're used to Riffa (BRN) being a power, but the first half of the season was rough. They did not reach the semis in any of their previous four stops as seemingly hungrier teams power past them. Riffa need a spark and they will look to talisman Dennis Donkor, their long-time heart and soul player.
DD continues to be a two-way force, averaging 5.3 ppg this season to go along with stifling defense. But he knows he'll have to become Dennis the Menace in Lausanne if Riffa are to end a form slump.
Stefan Milivojevic (Partizan)
Lausanne might be one of the prettiest places imaginable, but it's going to turn into a coliseum when Stefan Milivojevic steps on the half-court. 3x3's Gladiator is ready to get his hands dirty in a bid to get Partizan (SRB) going.
The Serbs have not been past the quarters from four previous stops this season and Milivojevic has been a bit up and down despite his decent average of 5 ppg. We know this muscular dude can get a full head of steam down the lane, but if he can end a shooting slump from two then Milivojevic might just be able to lead Partizan on a deep run.
Goran Vidovic (Hangzhou)
It's hard not to live in the shadow of excitement machine Aleksandar Lazic, but flamethrower Goran Vidovic has gained a whole legion of fans in his own right. That's because he has been lights out with the 6ft.4in (1.94m) walking bucket able to splash from any spot on the half-court.
He was a highlight machine in Hangzhou's runner-up finish in Hong Kong, further illustrating that Vidovic can make the Wilson talk.
Carlos Martinez (Lausanne)
2025 will always hold a special place in the heart of Carlos Martinez, who led Spain to their greatest ever 3x3 moment at the World Cup. But he's not nearly done this year, with Martinez out to get the home crowd on their feet as he leads fan favorite Lausanne (SUI) to a drought-breaking title on their half-court.
This dude is a real life magician off the half-court and he's got plenty of tricks up his sleeve on it.
Antonio Ralat (Carolina)
Carolina (PUR) are getting closer to a WT title after finishing runner-up in Edmonton, largely due to sharpshooter Antonio Ralat putting on the cape. He might have slick-hair and model looks, but this dude is a cold-blooded assassin and just has to be on the Mt. Rushmore of greatest ever clutch performers.
Ralat has gone up a level this year and is averaging a crazy 8.2 ppg - the most by any player with more than 10 games this season.
Guim Exposito (Barcelona)
Another of Spain's World Cup heroes is ready to rumble in Lausanne. He's been a big part of Barcelona's (ESP) rise on the pro circuit, highlighted by a semi-final run at WT Vienna. The 6ft.6 in (1.98m) dynamo can get scorching hot in an instant and he has his sights on becoming one of the very best players in the world.
A lights out performance in Lausanne will get him closer to being rated among the top tier.
Malik Hluchoweckyj (Lugano)
This new Swiss team will have plenty of fans on their side because Malik Hluchoweckyj is one of the most popular players on the planet. It's easy to see why because he's so pleasing on the eye. He has insane finishing skills for a dude his size, but we can't wait to see Hluchoweckyj throw lobs to partner-in-crime Westher Molteni in the type of sizzle that will get the crowd hollering all night long.
Ivan Aurrecoechea (Valencia)
The emergence of Spanish stars has been one of the highlights of 2025 and this 6ft.8 in (2.04m) beast adds to the list. Aurrecoechea is an absolutely dominant force in the paint and he's ready to be unleashed in Valencia's (ESP) WT season debut.
Get used to the name because Ivan Aurrecoechea is amped up for his WT debut.
FIBA