The three-year wait for the Crelan FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2022 (June 21-26, 2022) was more than worthwhile.
Groenplaats in Antwerp was rocked nonstop by the 3×3 performance, which drew sellout audiences.
Before getting back to the professional circuit, let’s take a moment to appreciate this monumental occasion and the lessons taught by the 2017 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
Even with a new squad, the same outcome was achieved.
With their most recent victory, the Serbian men’s squad improved to a perfect 5-0. – The World Cup.
Serbia’s recent W may be their finest given it came from a completely revamped squad ten years after they won the first 3×3 World Cup in Athens. Legendary 3×3 players like Dusan Bulut and Marko Savic, who had each won the World Cup four times before, were not present.
Dejan Majstorovic and big man Mihailo Vasic combined for 87 points, so it didn’t make a difference that Strahinja Stojacic and Marko Brankovic were fresh additions.
However, it was not a walk in the park for the top seeds, who were challenged early on by New Zealand and Puerto Rico before putting together their greatest performances when it meant most in the knockout round.
Serbia could create its own Marvel series since these guys are always a draw, even when facing a raucous home audience cheering for their Belgian heroes in the semi-finals.
With their perfect record, they ensured that Serbia will always be remembered as the best team in men’s 3×3.
The “Maestro” is a clear victor.
Defeating the odds comes naturally to Dejan Majstorovic. Following his fourth World Cup victory, the Serb joined his old Novi Sad colleagues Bulut and Savic as the tournament’s all-time leaders in titles won.
And it seems like “The Maestro” is just improving. He’s still as good-looking as he was when he was in his heyday five years ago, when he won MVP in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
The 34-year-career old’s has been given new life after he made the switch from Novi Sad to Ub, the best team on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour this year.
Even though he’s always been the guy you want to have the Wilson with in a close game, the smooth shooter has evolved into perhaps the finest leader in 3×3. He has now established his place in history without the aid of his former teammates, Majstorovic.
However, he is not yet finished. Dejan Majstorovic’s ultimate goal is to become the all-time 3×3 trophy winner. In no circumstances should you ever question the victoriousness of this person.
Guapo demonstrates that she is still queen
Though Laetitia Guapo dominated the women’s 3×3 scene for some time, her 2021 was marked by a series of setbacks that culminated in a medalless performance for the well fancied French team at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Guapo masterfully guided a revamped France to their first women’s World Cup title, proving herself as a leader at age 26.
Many had abandoned the French train because they thought they had been overrun, but Les Bleues went on a wonderful run because to their hero, who made all the big shots, created off the dribble, and frequently had to defend the biggest players on a small-ball French squad.
Guapo’s 9 enormous points helped the team beat China in the semi-finals, and his 5 points against Canada in the championship game were good for equal team top honors.
The 1.82m (6ft) star kept believing in herself even after others had given up on her, leading France to their greatest 3×3 moment and earning herself the MVP award.
There is no doubt that Lithuania is a top team in 3×3 basketball
Lithuania has been a basketball powerhouse for quite some time, but their success in the 3×3 format has been more sporadic. Now that the men have won silver and the ladies have placed fourth in Antwerp, their standing has improved.
No. 2 men’s seed should have been taken more seriously than they were. Before losing in the championship against Serbia, Lithuania sent a strong message by cruising through the United States 21-11 in the quarterfinals and just edging past France in the semi-finals.
After making it rain in Antwerp, Darius Tarvydas was the tournament’s top scorer and chillier than a Lithuanian winter. But he had a lot of backers, and along with Ignas Vaitkus, they were unstoppable.
The ladies were almost as dangerous, with the ninth seed having a phenomenal tournament until losing the bronze medal game against China.
Kamile Nacickaite was the driving force behind their victory; she was unstoppable and ultimately ended with the most points in the women’s draw (a mind-boggling 45).
Lithuania, despite being overshadowed by other Eastern European heavyweights, has arrived in 3×3 and is here to stay.
After winning silver, men’s standout Marijus Uzupis proposed to his girlfriend, women’s player Martyna Petrenaite, in one of the most touching moments in 3×3 history.
Chinese ladies like the spotlight
China always performs better when given a larger platform. The 18th-seeded team successfully defended their title and earned bronze, just as they did in last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Their hopes of a repeat championship were dashed by a sad semi-final defeat to France, 17-16, but they can be proud of their achievements anyway.
ZhiTang Zhang, a low-post bully, and Lili Wang, a dynamo who made the Team of the Tournament, led the charge.
China have again shown that their seeding in major competitions is meaningless, as they always rise to the challenge.
Despite their best efforts, the United States of America just can’t seem to win at this form of basketball.
When the United States men’s basketball team competes, everyone watches closely. Despite the men’s team entering as defending champions and the women’s team having won the Olympic gold the year before, 3×3 has become more difficult to win for them.
However, after undergoing a redesign, both squads were eliminated in the quarterfinals, leaving the USA with no medals. With rookies Khalil Iverson and James Parrott thrown into the mix, the men’s team never found its rhythm and ultimately failed.
The United States almost suffered an upset loss to New Zealand in the round of 16, but they staged a miraculous comeback to get to the medal round. Unfortunately, their championship defense was abruptly ended by Lithuania.
The women’s team went undefeated in group play, beating the eventual champions France along the way, but they were eliminated by Canada in the quarterfinals, extending their World Cup winless streak to eight straight tournaments.
After the USA’s disappointing campaign, all we can do is hope that Hailey van Lith will return to 3×3 and once again wow us with her extensive repertoire of moves.
The power of Tai Wynyard cannot be denied
New Zealand, the underdog, had a significant impression and came dangerously close to pulling off a major upset over the United States. Tragically, this didn’t work out, but Tai Wynyard proved on the international stage that he’s ready to re-launch his career after a series of setbacks caused by injuries.
In a dunking display, the 24-year-old demonstrated he is stronger than Thor, and he also had his own block party while The Typhoon ripped through Antwerp.
This tall player is eager to continue the game of 3×3, which fits him well. Tai Wynyard, who towers above everyone at 6ft 10in (2.08m), commands attention as he approaches half court.
There was a buzz in the air
This sensation of rediscovering the 3×3 experience when the world returns to normal has been fantastic. It’s really crazy, you guys.
Fans in Antwerp rocked the stands as if they were seeing Kendrick Lamar at Glastonbury, serving as a timely reminder that 3×3 is the pinnacle of festivals.
Antwerp, with the eyes of the world on it, swiftly solidified its status as a legendary 3×3 arena as everyone welcomed back the sport’s greatest event.
It lived up to expectations.
