Top seed Paris aim to fly French flag at FIBA 3x3 Bordeaux Challenger 2024

BORDEAUX (France) - Before their superstars head to the Olympics on home soil, Paris (FRA) will be striving to stay focused and go all the way at the FIBA 3x3 Bordeaux Challenger 2024 on July 11-12. 

Let's preview the ninth Challenger of the year.

The Favorites

Let's start with Paris, who will be flying the French flag proudly as the top seed. Superstars Franck Seguela and Jules Rambaut headline France's Olympic squad and they will be pumped up to put on a show in Bordeaux. 

Paris particularly love playing on French soil having finished runner-up at the Marseille Masters and they also made the semis at the Clermont-Ferrand Challenger.  

But don't just pencil them in for the dub because there are a number of teams aiming to spoil their party. 

OGs NY Harlem (USA) enter in red-hot form after making the semis at the Edmonton Masters. Defenses will have nightmares trying to stop scoring machines Kidani Brutus and Dominique Jones aka 'Disco Domo'. 

No.2 seed Utrecht (NED) are young guns ready to make a mark and they've made two semi-finals on the pro circuit already this year. Nesta Agasi is a dunking machine and he's set to be a crowd favorite in Bordeaux. 

We just have to mention Podgorica Kodio (MNE), who were runner-up at the recent Quebec Challenger. Petar Ivanovic and Aleksa Vujadinovic were a deadly one-two punch and if they get going then Podgorica are a legit contender. 

The Field

It's not all about Paris, with Versailles (FRA) and Bordeaux Ballistik (FRA) also set to raise their games in front of the enthusiastic French fans.

Versailles might just be the ultimate x-factor because like Paris they have two stars about to become Olympians. You just know Lucas Dussoulier and Timothe Vergiat will be in overdrive as they prepare for the biggest moment of their careers.  

Plunge (LTU) are lethal Lithuanians, so you know these dudes can hoop while Belgrade (SRB) and Pirot (SRB) have certified ballers. Expect Pirot to get fired-up when legendary crossover artist Dragan Bjelica makes defenders look foolish. 

And we've taken too long to get to No.4 seed Tel-Aviv (ISR), who have struggled so far in 2024 but this might just be their breakout. 

Pools

Pool A: Paris (FRA), Versailles (FRA), Bordeaux Ballistik (FRA)
Pool B: Utrecht (NED), Plunge (LTU), Belgrade (SRB)
Pool C:  Podgorica Kodio (MNE), Pirot (SRB), QD
Pool D: Tel-Aviv (ISR), NY Harlem (USA), QD

What's at stake

The top 3 teams in Bordeaux will qualify for the Shanghai Masters on September 21- 22, 2024, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

How to watch

The two-day extravaganza is on July 11-12 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube page.

FIBA