TIANJIN (China) - After their spectacular triumph at the Debrecen Masters, No.1 seed Ub Huishan NE (SRB) are rejuvenated ahead of the FIBA 3x3 Tianjin Challenger 2024 on September 14-15.

Let's take a closer look at the 17th Challenger of 2024.

The Favorites

We just have to start with Ub Huishan NE, who have shrugged off a slow start to the season - by their ridiculous standards - and are starting to rediscover their best as we roll into the business end. 

Superstar Strahinja Stojacic regained the crown after walking away with the MVP in Debrecen.

He leapfrogged Worthy de Jong, who had a taste of top billing and will be determined to regain the belt as this Dutch Master strives to reignite Amsterdam (NED), who lost to Ub in the quarters at Debrecen. 

No.2 seed Vienna (AUT) have had a golden year, but aren't content yet in 2024. Nico Kaltenbrunner has been on a prolonged heater and will feel like he absolutely belongs in the same tier as 'Doctor Strange' and 'Hype Worthy'.

Serb teams Liman (SRB) and Partizan Meta Force (SRB) always are rated among the contenders - but there is a catch. Only one of them will make the main draw as they will be pitted against one another in the QD. 

The Field

Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) have gone almost four months without a title, but you just know that will fire up Delgernyam Davaasambuu to play with physical force. 

There are a pair of Chinese teams who will have huge support from the passionate locals. We've seen Hangzhou (CHN) go all the way on the big stage and their hopes might just rest with sniper Vladimir Trajkovic firing on all cylinders. 

It's probably taken us too long to get to Chongming (CHN), who loom as one of the most intriguing teams late in the season. Cameron Forte was unstoppable in their triumph at the Xiong'an Challenger, while Karlis Lasmanis is one of the best to ever lace up as he finds a new partner-in-crime. 

And we're intrigued to see how Ermont SENEF (FRA) goes because we well know that France has such a deep pool of 3x3 talent.  

Pools

Pool A: Ub Huishan NE (SRB), Zavkhan SAINSCORE (MGL), Ermont SENEF (FRA)
Pool B: Vienna (AUT), Wuxi WenLv (CHN), Cijin (TPE)
Pool C: Amsterdam (NED), Chongming (CHN), Kita (JPN)
Pool D: Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), Hangzhou (CHN), QD

What's at stake

The top 3 teams in Tianjin will qualify for the Manama Masters on November 1-2, 2024, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

How to watch

The two-day extravaganza is on September 14-15 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube page.

FIBA