20 Dec 2019
MIES (Switzerland) – There were plenty of incredible solo 3x3 performances this season but we're going to narrow it down to the 10 best.
Michael Hicks (POL)
Nobody thought Poland could knock off Serbia in the bronze-medal game of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2019. Everyone except Michael Hicks aka 'Money in the Bank'.
He was cash with the game on the line with an incredible off-balance game-winner with three seconds left to power Poland to bronze and a spot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Hicks finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds in probably the best performance of the season, made even more memorable by his infectious celebration which had the crowd – apart from Serbian fans – in raptures.
Michelle Plouffe (CAN)
This was huge for Canada against their neighborly rivals the USA. In the WS Final in Edmonton, there was barely anything separating the teams except one player – Michelle Plouffe.
One half of the mesmerizing Plouffe twins, Michelle was the difference with a brilliant all-round performance of 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 highlights (what we in 3x3 call a 'triple-5') to lead Canada to a sweet 19-17 victory over their rivals.
Maksim Kovacevic (Liman)
It was a difficult season for Liman who were without superstar Stefan Stojacic for most of it. But they kept fighting against the odds – none more so than in Debrecen where they won their only Masters of the season.
And what a title it was! With Stefan Kojic injured in the semis, a three-man Liman played without a sub against in-form Riga Ghetto (LAT). It looked like mission impossible until Maksim Kovacevic put on his cape and led the shorthanded Liman to one of the great 3x3 victories, as they won a thriller 21-18.
He scored 12 points, including 5/8 from outside the arc, with his head wrapped up after an injury to underline that Kovacevic and his teammates are the ultimate warriors.
Soraya Mohamed (EGY)
She ended the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2019 by melting down social media with a step back that not even James Harden could top. But the new Cleopatra's best performance was probably Egypt's first game of the tournament.
Against Benin, Mohamed poured in 16 points and was splashing from deep with 5 two-pointers. It was a precursor for what lay ahead for the tournament MVP.
Dejan Majstorovic (Novi Sad)
Dejan Majstorovic encapsulated Novi Sad's season. At times, he was the Maestro but on other occasions he was playing off-key. But when he played well early in the season, Novi Sad were basically unbeatable.
At the Penang Challenger, Majstorovic was a bucket-getting machine scoring 57 points in just 5 games to lead a three-man Novi Sad. He saved his best for the knockout stages where he scored 15 points in the quarters against Liman, knocking them out with a Tissot buzzerbeater. He then went one better and poured in 16 points in the semis against Tokyo . When he is in rhythm, there is no better shooter in the 3x3 world.
Milan Kovacevic (Piran)
Think Piran and you automatically think about Gasper Ovnik schooling opponents or Simon Finzgar outsmarting everyone. But the Slovenians also have some serious young talent – none better than Milan Kovacevic who showed he is an emerging star with a 16-point masterpiece against Princeton at the Ljubljana Challenger with a perfect 3/3 from long range and 6/6 from the line.
Mido Mohamed (Egypt men)
Egypt had an Africa Cup to remember, winning both the men's and women's events. The men claimed the title with a convincing 21-12 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 23-year-old rising star Mido was unstoppable everywhere on the court with an incredible 15 points, including three two-pieces, to deliver a performance for the ages on the big stage.
Marta Garcia (Spain)
Scoring 14 out of your team's 17 points is some effort. Imagine doing that in a final?
That's exactly what Spanish sensation Marta Garcia did against Germany in the final of the FIBA 3x3 U18 Europe Cup 2019. The towering 17-year-old dominated in the paint – all her points were one-pointers – to lead her country to a memorable 17-16 win.
Katherine Plouffe (Canada)
With her sister on the list, why not double up with Katherine? But she isn't a token selection, Katherine Plouffe absolutely deserves to be on this list after her unbelievable 17-point outburst against the Netherlands in the semi-final of the WS Poitiers.
Bec Cole (Australia)
Australian star Bec Cole is one of the most entertaining players on the 3x3 circuit. She can do it all on the court like she spectacularly showcased against the Netherlands in the final of the WS Tokyo.
She had a very rare double-double in this game with 10 points and 10 highlights (3 key assists and 7 drives!) to lead Australia to a comfortable 21-15 victory.
FIBA