Top players to watch at FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Final 2022

ABU DHABI (UAE) - The best players in the business will be fighting for the crown at the showpiece FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Final 2022 on December 10-11. 

With more stars than on reviews for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, here are the top players you just can't miss. 

Strahinja Stojacic (Ub Huishan NE)

The spectacular Serb has been No.1 all season and is determined to finish 2022 as the undisputed best player in 3x3. 

With three Masters MVPs, it's been an unforgettable season for Stojacic, who leads almost all stats categories on the World Tour, including player value, scoring and highlights.

But the 6ft. 5in (1.97m) Stojacic had an unusually quiet tournament last start in Hong Kong with just 11 points in 3 games, including 2 points in their quarter-final loss to Antwerp. 

He'll be extra determined in a bid to issue a reminder that he's the best player in 3x3. 

 

Miroslav Pasajlic (Liman)

There will be extra motivation for the 27-year-old bull, who was not part of Liman's success at the World Tour Final 2021

The 6ft. 3in (1.9m) ball wizard has played a key role in Liman's strong season and was part of their success in Utrecht. He was a shining light in their Hong Kong campaign, where Liman exited a Masters on Day One for the first time ever. 

A former Masters MVP and shoot-out winner, Pasajlic has had plenty of success but victory in Abu Dhabi would represent the crowning moment of his career. 

 

Thibaut Vervoort (Antwerp)

It's been a great second season for 'Must See TV' who has been a ratings hit. On prime time in Abu Dhabi, Vervoort will be aiming to rediscover his shooter's touch after misfiring in Hong Kong. 

But the 24-year-old has other ways to score with the brilliant Belgian able to attack the rim whenever he wants to. 

Maybe no one else can make 3x3 look as easy as Vervoort, who still feels like he has unfinished business in 2022. 

 

Dimeo van der Horst (Amsterdam HiPRO)

This Dutch walking bucket has made the leap in 2022. He has been a star for years but became a legit superstar this season with 'Dimes' averaging  7.1 pgg on the World Tour -the third highest for those who have played more than 10 games. 

But he averaged only 5.5 ppg in Hong Kong, particularly struggling from deep, and van der Horst will be keen to make amends in the final event of the season. 

He's also desperate for Amsterdam to finally claim a title this season, so expect to see this Dutch master firing on all cylinders in Abu Dhabi. 

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Karlis Lasmanis/Nauris Miezis (Riga)

After all these years, the Latvians remain the best superhero duo in 3x3 and scarily they are getting even better. 

Their one-two punch never hit harder than during Riga's amazing 27-game winning streak when the superstars traded clutch shots, insane plays and MVPs. It's unfair that Riga have arguably the two best players in the game on the same team and these dudes enjoy making each other better.

All that adds up to the deadliest duo in 3x3 as they aim to win a second World Tour Final in three seasons. 

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 Marijus Uzupis (Sakiai Gulbele)

This lethal Lithuanian has unleashed his famous uzi and been firing from everywhere on the half-court.

He's averaging 6 ppg on the World Tour this year and is one of the hottest players on the circuit after an insane 41 points to lead all scorers in Hong Kong as Uzupis helped Sakiai win the title. 

He made Hong Kong wet by shooting 46% from two to confirm that Uzupis is one of the deadliest snipers in the business. 

The 6ft. 6in (1.97m) sharpshooter is feeling confident and arrives in Abu Dhabi with swagger. Look out!

Stefan Stojacic (Vienna)

The comeback king isn't done yet in 2022. It's been a miraculous return for the ex-Liman star from a serious knee injury, who is again torching opponents with an average of 7.3 ppg on the World Tour. 

He was a little down on that in Hong Kong with 5.8 ppg but Stojacic is looking for one last chapter to add to what has been a fairy-tale season for one of 3x3's greatest ever players. 

 

 Dulguun Enkhbat (Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy)

If the Mongolians are to win a first title in 2022 then it will be well earned for Dulguun Enkhbat, who is something like the heart and soul of a team who have travelled all over the globe searching for silverware. 

The 30-year-old puts everything on the line in a bid for Ws and he can make defense look like a thing of beauty. And even though his gritty defense, you can bet that his hair will always remain perfect!

 

Kareem Maddox (Princeton)

At the heart of this long-time American powerhouse, Kareem Maddox has done it all. He's a world champion, continental winner and been a pioneer for 3x3 in the hoops crazy country. 

But he's never won a World Tour Final with Princeton having finished runner-up in 2019. The 6ft. 8in (2.03m) monster around the rim will be doing everything he can to inspire the Americans to a first ever triumph on the biggest of stages. 

 

Malik Hluchoweckyj (Omaha 3BALL)

This dude is all entertainment and you can bet he'll finish in our top plays of the tournament. 

The 26-year-old represents what this rising American power is all about - flashy, confident and a fan favorite. He's a wizard with the Wilson and can get to the rim quicker than you can pronounce his surname.

He was No.1 in highlights most recently in Riyadh and don't be surprised if he's at the top in Abu Dhabi.

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Carlos Martinez (Lausanne Sport)

He's a bit of a magician off the half court - give him a deck of cards and he'll blow your mind - but Carlos Martinez doesn't need any tricks to put the Wilson in the hoop

The towering 26-year-old can score from almost anywhere on the Enlio court making him a threat inside and outside. If he gets rolling then the unpredictable Lausanne might get hot in Abu Dhabi. 

Worthy de Jong (Utrecht) 

This flying Dutchman has set 3x3 alight in just a matter of a few months since storming onto the World Tour. 

Get in his way and de Jong will flat out embarrass you, while he can set up his teammates with the filthiest dish imaginable. 

The bigger the stage, the better he performs, so we can't wait to see what he has in store for the biggest annual event on the World Tour.

As all the real ones know, de Jong is most certainly worthy of your attention. 

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