Reigning champs France and USA dominate on Day 2 of FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - France (Men) ruthless while USA (Women) show levels as they go perfect on Day 2 of the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023 on August 31..

THE TEAMS

France (Men) started off their campaign the only way they know how - Electric. 

They went up against a Hungary side that seemed to have the game-plan on how to neutralize the Gold Medalists from the 2022 U18 World Cup. Not afraid to take contact and get physical against the shifty and high-flying French, Hungary had early success. They clicked on the offensive side as well, Gergo Geringer and Agoston Meszaros pushed through and got tough buckets. But the French weren’t to be denied. They fought back, with one Evan Boisdur taking it to their opposition. It was a late comeback due to his efforts, it was only right that he got to call game with a cold-blooded dagger two to hand his team the narrow 20-21 victory in their opener. 

They took the fight to Thailand as well, with Khadim Kane and Boisdur combining for 15 as they finished their first two games of Group Play undefeated with a 21-10 win. 

Germany (Men) showed why they were considered strong contenders with two strong performances to tip their campaign off, and there is one man who just couldn’t stop scoring. Fabian Giessmann put up 12 points in the team’s 21-13 victory against Qatar before putting up another 12 as they routed Tunisia 9-22. Simon Fenenerg contributed 8 points to the result as well as the German Giants went perfect to start off. 

On the Women’s side, perhaps the most unsurprising news of the day would be team USA dominating. The team that just can’t stop winning started off on fire, taking on a gritty Brazil side. Alexia Dagba tried to rally an offensive charge, but they just couldn’t hold on against the American juggernauts. Sahara Williams and Mikaylah Williams went to work while Katie Fiso got buckets of her own while diming it up too. Sarah Strong was a powerful force in the paint as well. It was a comfortable 11-21 win for the team against Brazil.

It was a similar result against the contenders Germany with Williams and Strong combining for 15 points as they won 10-19 in an all-round masterclass. 

Japan (Women) had a flying start to their World Cup run as well, led by the lightning quick Konoho Yamamiya. She went off in the first game for 9 points while Kokone Ueno added 8 points as well as they steamrolled past Morocco 21 - 5. It was a collective effort on offense this time, though again powered through by Yamamiya who scored 7 in the team’s 14 - 18 victory against Ukraine. 

THE PLAYERS

Germany’s (Men) Fabian Giessmann was the powerhouse for the well-oiled German offense. Not only was he borderline unguardable, scoring 24 points over the two games, he was a menace on defense as well, allowing for his team to generate quick turnaround attacks. Germany were a force to start their Campaign and Giessmann was at the heart of it. He currently holds the position of top scorer of the event after 2 days of non-stop action. 

Right under him in that list is France’s (Men) Evan Boisdur who was blazing past opposition. He put up 21 points over two games, 13 of them coming in the incredible comeback win against Hungary in their opener. He was at the forefront of the result eith his buckets, none as important as the game-winning two to seal a moment to remember. 

On the Women’s side, LSU future star Mikaylah Williams was on one from the jump. The 2-time 3x3 U18 World Cup MVP  finished with 14 points in her two games, taking it two the cup at will while also locking down on defense. 

Japan’s (Women) Konoho Yamamiya caught fire for her side as well, scoring 9 points in the team’s win against Morocco before finishing off with another 7-point display in a winning effort against Ukraine. 

Day 3

The action gets more intense tomorrow as Group Play starts to culminate. It’s all high-stakes 3x3 from here, folks!