ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - The FIBA 3x3 World Cup returns after a one-year hiatus and the extra wait has made the very best players extra determined to find their peak form in Ulaanbaatar from June 23-29.
It's a tough list to crack, but here are 10 players from the men's draw you just have to watch.
Strahinja Stojacic (Serbia)
The reigning World Cup MVP enters Ulaanbaatar in arguably the form of his life. That's a bold statement considering we're talking about the GOAT, but Stojacic has been a man possessed to ignite his season after an unusually slow start.
The moustached menace collected consecutive MVP awards on the pro circuit and was also a key contributor in Ub's third straight title at WT Vienna.
If it's 'Doctor Strange's' multiverse in Ulaanbaatar then you better believe Serbia are likely to win an absolutely crazy seventh straight title - and third straight with Stojacic steering the wheel.
James Parrott (USA)
It's time for a new era for mighty USA and they are in good hands because JP is an absolute bucket getter having showcased his scoring skills for Miami on the pro circuit.
He's already tasted success at the international level after being a key part in USA's triumph at last year's AmeriCup and you just know Parrott is vowing to take revenge for his country after their heartbreaking defeat in 2023.
A new era has arrived for Team USA with James Parrott set to be Captain America in Ulaanbaatar.
Franck Seguela (France)
Through brilliant all-round play and a lot of hard work, this fabulous Frenchman has worked his way into the conversation as the best player alive. Seguela's spectacular start to the season saw him ranked No.1 for the first time in his career, but he's just getting started.
Leading powerhouse France to their first World Cup title - on the back of their unforgettable silver medal at last year's Olympics - might just give this smiling assassin the crown.
Worthy de Jong (Netherlands)
After reaching the summit in 2024, including winning Olympic gold and World Tour Final MVP, Worthy de Jong wasn't sure if he had the motivation to continue grinding away on the half-court.
Thankfully he decided to keep balling and there are still big ticket items for him to focus on, including leading powerhouse the Netherlands to a first-ever World Cup title. The men in orange were famously runner-up in consecutive years last decade and they've been unable to break a drought at this competition.
This year has so far been a season of near misses for de Jong, but he's ready to put the cape back on and be 'Hype Worthy' in a bid to create more history for the Netherlands.
Nico Kaltenbrunner (Austria)
You know this dude is built for the big stage. Last year, Kaltenbrunner took out the continental crown at the Europe Cup. Now the 25-year-old is ready for world domination as he eyes history for Austria.
3x3's Speedy Gonzales is ready to get those good vibes going as he looks to produce the type of magic with the Wilson we've all fallen in love with.
Anand Ariunbold (Mongolia)
No host nation - men's or women's - has won the World Cup, but Mongolia are looking to create history and their hopes rest in the reliable hands of Anand Ariunbold, who is the miracle worker from the country's greatest triumph at Asia Cup 2023.
The man they call 'The Archer' will have all eyes on him but you just know he loves being the centre of attention on the half-court. He's already a national hero, but they'll build statues of him all around Mongolia if the host goes all the way.
Antonio Ralat (Puerto Rico)
Talk about snipers and we just have to mention this cold-blooded assassin. He's already a winner at the AmeriCup and now Ralat wants to lead Puerto Rico to a historic title.
He may have youthful looks, but Ralat is now becoming a veteran on the half-court and he just seemingly does not feel pressure on the big stage. You just know when the game is on the line who on this team will demand the Wilson.
The ball will find its way to Ralat, who has a knack of coming through in winning time.
Ryo Ozawa (Japan)
It's already been a crazy first half of 2025 on the half-court, but nothing has topped this Japanese star rewriting the history books with 20 points in a single game in a performance for the ages at the Asia cup.
It confirmed that Ozawa has become 3x3's Steph Curry and there might not be a greater show on earth than when he is in heat check mode. The diminutive Ozawa shows that height is no barrier if you can perform tricks with the Wilson and have the shooter's touch.
Don't rule him out going even better and doing the unimaginable - break his own record and score 21 points!
Fabian Giessmann (Germany)
No longer can this 20-year-old be considered a rising star. He's a legit superstar and climbing the ladder so quickly that he might soon be standing at the top.
Giessmann is averaging an insane 7.9 ppg on the WT - the second most by a player who has played in more than one event - and led underdog Baskets Bonn (GER) to a barnstorming run to the final in Vienna, where he mixed huge dunks with unreal buzzer beaters.
This dude is absolutely electric, a 3x3 unicorn, and you just know he'll make sure his World Cup debut is special.
Aurelijus Pukelis (Lithuania)
Who has the leading average on this season's WT? It's this indefatigable bucket getter, who is averaging 8.1 ppg from 11 games - the most by anyone who has played multiple events.
The lethal Lithuanian is just automatic every time he touches the Wilson. All these years later, defenders are still absolutely clueless over how to stop him.
The big fella was not part of Lithuania's silver medal performance in 2022 - the proud country's only podium finish in the tournament's history - and that just means he enters Ulaanbaatar with plenty of motivation in a scary prospect for opponents.
FIBA
