The world of international basketball is currently abuzz with significant developments across various formats, from the roster shaping for major European tournaments to strategic broadcast partnerships expanding the reach of emerging disciplines, and intense ongoing competition in global championships. These updates highlight the dynamic nature of the sport, showcasing both established national teams and the rapid ascent of 3x3 basketball.

France, a powerhouse in European basketball, is set to present a fresh lineup for FIBA EuroBasket 2025. Their 18-man preliminary squad, announced recently, conspicuously omits marquee names such as Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, and Evan Fournier. This strategic decision opens the door for a younger generation of French talent to prove their mettle on the European stage. Attention will be keenly focused on who emerges as the new go-to player, with experienced performers like Guerschon Yabusele and promising NBA prospects like Zaccharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr, and Bilal Coulibaly, alongside European stalwarts such as Isaia Cordinier, Mathias Lessort, and Elie Okobo, all vying to lead Les Bleus. The preliminary squad includes Isaia Cordinier, Bilal Coulibaly, Moussa Diabate, Ousmane Dieng, Sylvain Francisco, Nadir Hifi, Jaylen Hoard, Mouhammadou Jaiteh, Mathias Lessort, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Theo Maledon, Frank Ntilikina, Elie Okobo, Vincent Poirier, Zaccharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr, Matthew Strazel, and Guerschon Yabusele.

Further expanding the visibility and accessibility of basketball, FIBA and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have solidified their partnership with a four-year extension, running from 2025 to 2028. This renewed agreement specifically includes free-to-air coverage of FIBA’s premier 3x3 basketball events. Key EBU members in countries such as Austria (ORF), Belgium (VRT), Lithuania (LRT), Netherlands (NOS), Poland (TVP), Switzerland (SRG SSR), Turkey (TRT), and Ukraine (Suspilne) will provide live broadcasts of top 3x3 competitions, including both World and European events, tailored to their national teams and delivered across traditional and digital platforms. This initiative reinforces the shared mission of FIBA and EBU to make basketball more accessible to a wider audience. Alex Sanchez, FIBA 3x3 Managing Director, expressed excitement about renewing the partnership, aiming to make the “most thrilling urban team sport even more accessible.” Adrian Fikentscher of EBU Sport highlighted how public service media can champion fast-growing sports like 3x3. Since its debut at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, 3x3 basketball has seen remarkable growth in popularity and reach, culminating in its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Events covered under this agreement span from the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark, to future World Cups in Warsaw (2026) and Singapore (2027), along with various Champions Cups, Europe Cups, U23 World Cups, and Olympic Qualifying Tournaments through 2028.

Meanwhile, the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, currently underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, saw thrilling Quarter-final qualifications on Day 5, June 27. In the men's play-ins, a young German squad delivered a stunning upset, defeating the Olympic Gold Medalists Netherlands 19-18 in a nail-biting win-or-go-home game. Their persistent fightback secured their spot. On the women's side, the home team Mongolia showcased immense resilience, triumphing over top-seeded China in overtime. Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene sealed the victory with a crucial bucket, much to the delight of the home crowd. Individual player heroics also stood out: Spain's experienced Carlos Martinez contributed 9 points in a dominant 21-10 win against a physical Australian side, securing Spain's first-ever 3x3 World Cup Quarter-final appearance. Mongolia's Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene was pivotal in her team's win, demonstrating defensive prowess and scoring 9 points, including the game-winner in overtime against China. Day 6 of the tournament promises high-stakes Quarter-final action. The men's matchups include Serbia vs. Puerto Rico, Latvia vs. Switzerland, China vs. Spain, and Germany vs. USA. For the women, the Quarter-finals feature Australia vs. Netherlands, Canada vs. Spain, France vs. Poland, and Mongolia vs. USA. These thrilling contests will determine who advances to the semi-finals in the pursuit of the World Cup title.