Everything you need to know about FIBA 3x3 World Tour Macau Masters 2023 presented by Wynn

MACAU - A glitzy new destination will light a fuse under the World Tour as excitement builds for the first-ever FIBA 3x3 Macau Masters on July 8-9. 

Here is all the important information you need before the fourth Masters of 2023.

Where can I watch the Macau Masters?

The action runs from July 8-9, and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube, Facebook and Sina Weibo pages.

Who is competing in Macau?

This loaded draw has a total of 12 squads: Ub Huishan NE, Raudondvaris Hoptrans, Riga, Beijing, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, Futian, Miami, Liman Huishan NE, Dusseldorf LFDY, Wuxi, Toronto KBA, Marseille, Doha Expo, Pasig TNT

What are the pools?

 

Who are the favorites?

You guessed it. Ub Huishan NE are in a league of their own having gone 3 of 3 in Masters titles in 2023. 

They are out for a record-equalling fourth straight title to start a  World Tour season, which they first achieved last year.

The No.1 seeds will have to do it without legendary Dejan Majstorovic, who has been replaced by Vladimir Dordevic - a member of their recent triumph at the Netanya Challenger. 

 

Ub will have to contend with a familiar foe on Day One when they play Liman Huishan NE (SRB), who make their World Tour 2023 debut but have been busy on the pro circuit.

There is a lot of excitement over powerful Chinese teams Beijing and Futian, who have already positioned themselves among 3x3's top tier.

Both teams shone in Manila but will now be keen to create history and capture a first-ever Masters title for a Chinese side.

 

We've gone way too long before mentioning Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), who after all are the No.2 seeds.

While Riga (LAT) may look different these days, but heart and soul players Edgars Krumins and Agnis Cavars know only how to collect Ws. 

Last but certainly not least are Miami (USA), who will be unveiled on the World Tour for the first time but we know these much-hyped Americans are the real deal. 

This awesome foursome came within an inch of leading USA to gold at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 and you just know they are desperate for a title.

Who are the players to watch?

Some of 3x3's best players will be in Macau and we are almost obligated to start with Strahinja Stojacic, who continues to be ranked the No.1 player in the world. 

But real ones already know how sick 'Doctor Strange' is so let's talk about his teammate Nemanja Barac, who is in the midst of a breakout season and enters Macau hot after walking off with the MVP in Marseille. 

 

The muscular Barac might be the strongest player in 3x3 although he'll have competition with Riga's Agnis Cavars and Miami's Kareem Maddox having dominated the paint for many years. 

There are also some of the best shooters in the business set to light up Macao, including red-hot Liman star Stefan Kojic, Niklas Kropp from Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) and legendary Steve Sir, who is hoping to lead qualifier Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) into the main draw.

We get to see some of the best duos on the planet. Pick your poison - Beijing superheroes Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis or Futian pair Thibaut Vervoort and Dimeo van der Horst?

Or criminally underrated Aurelijus Pukelis and Marijus Uzupis from Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)? 

If dunking is your jam then buckle up because lethal Lithuanian Modestas Kumpys and Bikramjit Gill of Toronto KBA (CAN) can stuff those rims with authority. Also, former NBA player and College star Jimmer Fredette will surely make a grand World Tour debut. 

FIBA