Amsterdam won an incredible, nail-biting, FIBA 3x3 2024 World Tour Final. Caroline Logush, our new guest RISE 3x3 writer, recaps the tournament and explains why it sets the stage for an amazing year ahead.
It has been a historic year for 3x3 basketball in the Netherlands. The Paris 2024 3x3 Olympic Gold Medalists battled their way to another victory this year at the Hong Kong World Tour Final.
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour season is an international extravaganza for the most elite teams in 3x3 professional basketball. Kicking off in Japan with the Utsunomiya Opener, teams travelled to 17 stops around the globe to compete for the sport’s most prestigious championship. On November 22, the top 14 teams gathered in Victoria Park for the World Tour Final.
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour season is an international extravaganza for the most elite teams in 3x3 professional basketball.
The tournament began with pool play and the qualifying draw on Day 1. Princeton (USA) swept through the qualifying draw, knocking out Kandava Turība (Latvia) and Hong Kong, advancing themselves to the quarter-final. Despite some believing they wouldn't even make it out of the qualifiers, they would enter Day 2 riding high, as the only undefeated team in the tournament.
The game to watch on Day 2 was the quarter-final between Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Ub Huishan (Serbia). The stakes were high for both teams; either the Olympic Gold Medalists or two-time reigning World Tour Champions would be going home before the semi-final. Ub was the favourite team to win the Final, entering the tournament as the first-seed after winning their fifth season title in Shenzhen the previous weekend.
After Amsterdam struggled in pool play, they came back strong in this game and made history; a game-winning shot by star Worthy De Jong sent them on their way to their first World Tour Final and ended Serbia's seven year streak contesting the final.
After Amsterdam struggled in pool play, they came back strong in this game and made history
The excitement continued to build on Day 3 and so did Amsterdam’s momentum as they faced off against Paris in the finals.
Many of the same players from the Olympic Finals teams met yet again and you could tell that it was personal.
Paris came in with a vengeance, starting with a six point lead early. At the six minute mark both teams had six fouls, so the teams now had to focus on being careful on defence (so as not to cause 7 fouls and give away free-throws) and even better on offence. Amsterdam managed to dig themselves out of the deficit and won in dramatic fashion! Worthy de Jong finished the game by hitting back-to-back clutch shots to send the game into overtime and secure the win.
Worthy has truly shone as the face of 3x3 basketball in 2024 - he was awarded MVP for the regular season, the Olympic Final, and the World Tour Final!
It was an amazing competition. The World Tour Final ended: Amsterdam (1), Paris (2), Riffa (3), Hoptrans (4), Princeton (5), Ub Huishan (6).
The weekend showcased that anything is in the realm of possibilities in 3x3 basketball. Entering the tournament, FIBA listed Ub Huishan, Miami, and Paris as the three most reliable bets to win. Princeton’s underdog story, the downfall of Serbia, and Amsterdam’s unexpected rise to the top in the 2024 World Tour Final sets an exciting stage for the 2025 3x3 season.
Interested in more news, 3x3 breakdowns or information about 3x3 events? Follow the RISE 3x3 socials @rise3x3 for more!
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