Everything you need to know before FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024
ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - The best young 3x3 players are ready to light up the big stage of the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024 on September 11-15.
Let's take a closer look at all the main details of this major youth event's fifth edition, played for the first time in 3x3 obsessed Mongolia.
Where can I watch the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup?
The action runs from September 11-15, and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.
Who is competing in Ulaanbaatar? What are the pools?
There are 20 men's and 20 women's teams competing in this showpiece competition.
Men's
Pool A: France, Egypt, Spain, Ukraine, Algeria
Pool B: China, Netherlands, Mongolia, Japan, Benin
Pool C: Germany, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina
Pool D: Lithuania, Latvia, Chile, USA, Kenya
Women
Pool A: China, Hungary, Ukraine, Austria, Benin
Pool B: USA, Japan, Spain, Italy, New Zealand
Pool C: Germany, Mongolia, Poland, Israel, Kenya
Pool D: France, Egypt, Netherlands, Chile, Uganda
Who are the favorites?
In the men's, France have top billing and will showcase their New Gen led by Matheo Cauwet who will tap into his bag of tricks in a bid to ignite his team.
Fellow European powers Germany, Lithuania, Latvia and Netherlands will be confident of making the podium.
It's taken us too long to get to defending champs USA, who always boast a bucket load of talent.
You can't dismiss Mongolia lifting in front of their passionate fans, with scoring machine Bolor-Erdene Gantsolmon set to become a fan favorite.
China are also highly rated as the No.2 seed with towering Wei Zhang set to fly the flag proudly for his mighty country.
In the women's, Germany have two Olympic gold medalists in their line-up and they are determined to cap a historic year in fine fashion.
It won't be easy for Germany, with defending champions Netherlands and France looming as title contenders.
Top seed China boast JianPing Zhang and Xinyu Wang, who can smack a formidable one-two punch, while USA are always loaded with outrageous talent.
Who are the players to watch?
Buckle up because Denzel Agyeman and Fabian Giessmann are getting better every time they step on the half-court and they're out to put defenders on posters.
Talk about excitement machines and we just have to mention Israel's Shoham Gat, who can do things with the Wilson you just won't believe.
Jacopo Bertotti and Timo Slond are out to be the new Dutch Masters in a bid to continue their powerhouse country's amazing 2024 in 3x3.
In the women's we just have to start with Elisa Mevius and Marie Recihert, who are newly minted Olympic gold medalists. With their confidence sky high, these German heroes are out for more medals.
Real ones will well know that Wemby plays 3x3. Eve Wembanyama is the heart and soul of France and does trippy things that no doubt inspired her famous younger brother when they were kids.
And you just know that scoring machine Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene will be the firm crowd favorite. If there is a heatwave in Ulaanbaatar it's become this Mongolian is scorching the nets.
FIBA