Fredette leads Miami to perfect Day One at FIBA 3x3 Macau Masters 2023 presented by Wynn

MACAU - Former NBA player Jimmer Fredette starred in his FIBA 3x3 World Tour debut on July 8 to lead Miami's unbeaten start at the first-ever Macau Masters. 

Let's recap Day One of the fourth Masters of the season as the World Tour arrived in a glamorous new destination.

THE TEAM

There was a lot of hype over Miami, who had the same four Americans who claimed silver at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023. 

They delivered straight up in their World Tour debut with a 21-5 smackdown of No.2 seeds Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) in an ominous warning to the competition. 

 

Miami were made to work harder against Wuxi (CHN), but proved their title credentials with a hard-fought 21-18 win.

No.1 seeds Ub Huishan NE (SRB), Riga and Beijing were also unbeaten on Day One.  

THE PLAYER

After putting on a show at the World Cup, Fredette was ready for his Masters debut and didn't disappoint with a flawless performance against Raudondvaris Hoptrans.

Playing with eye-catching orange kicks, Fredette scored 10 points marked by a perfect 4-of-4 from two and he also dished out several pretty assists. 

Fredette then produced an all-round performance of 4 points, 6 highlights and 5 key assists to help Miami squeeze past Wuxi. 

He finished with the best player value on Day One with 24.4. 

THE DUNK

It didn't take long for dunking machine Modestas Kumpys to rattle the rims.  Just minutes into Raudondvaris Hoptrans'  opener against Wuxi, Kumpys drove down the lane with only Jiaren Zhao in his way. 

The defender was helpless against Kumpys aka 'Flight Mode', who threw down a vicious one-handed slam in a dunk that will be hard to top in Macau. 

He wasn't done with Kumpys adding a two-handed thunderous dunk for good measure as 'Flight Mode' was spectacularly activated.

THE THRILLERS

Riga might look a little different this season, but these Latvians still have championship DNA. 

They firstly overcame Toronto KBA (CAN) through a Maurice Lacroix buzzer beater from Miroslav Pasajlic, who has fitted into his new team like a glove. 

 Riga were then locked in another tense battle with powerful Futian (CHN).

The Latvians had the edge until Futian stormed back through dynamic duo Thibaut Vervoort and Dimeo van der Horst. 

But Riga held their nerve in trademark fashion with Olympic gold medalist Edgars Krumins hitting the game-winning jumper as the No.3 seeds sealed their spot in Day Two.

THE MAURICE LACROIX BUZZER BEATER

After both teams lost to Ub, Liman Huishan NE (SRB) and Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) played for Pool A's second spot. 

They went toe-to-toe in an instant classic with OT needing to determine who qualified into Day Two. 

Up stepped Stefan Kojic, who further added to his legend with a two-point Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater to break Dusseldorf's hearts. 

QUARTER-FINALS

Ub Huishan NE (SRB) vs Toronto KBA (CAN) 
Beijing (CHN) vs Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
Miami (USA) vs Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
Riga (LAT) vs Liman Huishan NE (SRB)

STATS

* Karlis Lasmanis of Beijing led the overall scoring with 17 points.
* Young gun Nilkas Kropp had a crazy 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 highlights to almost inspire Dusseldorf LFDY past  Liman Huishan NE.
* Beijing star Nauris Miezis started his tournament with a triple-five after tallying 5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 highlights against Marseille

FIBA