Top seeds Germany and defending champions USA headline FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023
DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The next generation of 3x3 stars will be fighting for global domination at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023 on August 30-September 3.
After an incredible FIBA 3x3 Debrecen Masters, the action returns to the fan favorite Hungarian city with 40 teams - 20 men's and 20 women's - fighting for the major prizes.
In the men's, Germany have top billing and again boast excitement machine Fabian Grossman who will play in the event for the third straight year.
Germany will headline Pool A, which also has Mongolia who are keen to show off their depth of talent.
Part of Mongolia's bronze medal winning team at FIBA 3x3 U17 Asia Cup 2022, Orgil Khurelbaatar will be a key for his team's hopes of making a deep run.
Pool B might just need to be renamed the 'Group of Death' with No.2 seeds Estonia and last year's silver medallists Serbia to face off in an early blockbuster.
Given his name, we're tipping big things for Serbia's Igor Jokic with the 18-year-old a standout in local competitions but now has a chance to shine on the world stage.
Pool C also looms as another tough group with defending champs France again likely to be the team to beat. They'll have a different team here, but keep an eye out on Anatole Humeau who is out to lead France's New Gen.
In Pool D, Latvia will be out to show why they are a 3x3 powerhouse but in their way will be Ukraine, who narrowly missed the podium last year with a fourth-placed finish.
Pools Men's
Pool A: Germany, Qatar, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mongolia
Pool B: Estonia, Brazil, Slovenia, Serbia, Morocco
Pool C: Thailand, Egypt, France, Japan, Hungary
Pool D: Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, India, Israel
In the women's, six-time champions USA and Germany meet in a blockbuster Pool B clash in a rematch of last year's final.
USA will have three gold medallists returning, including Mikaylah Williams who has twice won the MVP in this event.
Egypt have top billing and will headline Pool A with the African powerhouse boasting super talented 18-year-old Farida Tarek.
Pool C looms as the 'Group of Death' in the women's draw with last year's bronze medallists Spain to be tested against Asian heavyweights Japan, while Ukraine performed strongly 12 months ago.
Towering Judit Oliva returns for Spain, who'll be looking to go even better than their magical run in 2022.
Pool D is set for an unpredictable race and it might just be ripe for Mongolia to make noise. They'll be led by talented 16-year-old Nandinkhusel Nyamjav, who showed glimpses of stardom at last year's event.
Pools Women's
Pool A: Egypt, China, Latvia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia
Pool B: Germany, France, Brazil, USA, Hungary
Pool C: Ukraine, Japan, Lithuania, Spain, Morocco
Pool D: Thailand, Poland, Mongolia, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei
FIBA