Everything you need to know before FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters 2021

ABU DHABI (United Arab Emirates) - The World Tour is back and the best in the world are assembling in the UAE for the penultimate Masters event of 2021.

We have the best in the business on hand for this one and we're here to break down everything you need to know ahead of the event.

Where can I watch the Abu Dhabi Masters? 

Make sure you are following us on Twitter and Instagram for live updates in addition to Facebook and YouTube where we will be broadcasting live on both channels. Something that has been new and very exciting this year: we are also live on Twitch! We're also on TV all around the world. Check out our list of broadcasters. 

Who is competing in Abu Dhabi?

Ub, Riga, Antwerp, Liman, Amsterdam Talent&Pro, Princeton, Jeddah, San Juan PCI Group, Gagarin, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, Utrecht, Manila Chooks TM, Minakami, Abu Dhabi

What are the pools? 

 

Who are the favorites?

This event is a who's who of top 3x3 talent, with the top 5 teams in the World Tour standings entering into the event. Everywhere you look, this field is stacked. We have Olympic medalists, World Tour winners, and guys that will make it rain. 

We start with Ub (SRB) the number one team in the world, and the only team thus far to win two World Tour titles in 2021. But I raise you the Serbians, and see you with the Latvians. Riga (LAT) are back to full strength for the first time since they put gold around their necks in Tokyo. With Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis on the court together, we might as well call Abu Dhabi Gotham City. 

 

We'll have our eyes peeled on Antwerp, with the Belgian boys following Thibaut 'Must See TV' Vervoort into action. The fourth leading scorer on the World Tour 2021 won't be doing it alone though. Nick Celis is one bad man and has the number three seed making room into their luggage for the big check. 

Liman are coming off their first title of the season in Russia, while Amsterdam won the last Challenger of the season near home, in Utrecht.

We can go on and on, but we have to give a shoutout to Jeddah and San Juan, two Masters winners in 2021, back again, looking for more hardware. At this point, we're better off asking who's not a contender heading into the Abu Dhabi Masters. 

Who are the players to watch?

 

Whether you like high-flyers or stat sheet stuffers, we have a player for you in Abu Dhabi.

The top 15 players in the world are all in action this weekend, including Dejan Majstorovic who returned as the top ranked player in the world. 'The Maestro' is joined by Strahinja Stojacic and the rest of Ub, a team proving to be frontrunners of the World Tour title.

Karlis Lasmanis, who has averaged 7.9 points per game, second in total scoring, is rested and ready to go, after filling in for Nauris Miezis in the past few events. He gets his sidekick back, and the rest of the field better watch out.

Thibaut Vervoort and Nick Celis are a two-headed monster for Antwerp, one of the surprise teams of the year. The team welcomes back their full Olympic squad that were very close to medaling.

Speaking of medals, Liman will be back with their lethal duo of Mihailo Vasic and Aleksandar Ratkov, silver medalists in Tokyo and Europe Cup 2021 gold medalists. 

The rest of the field is just as good at the top with the likes of Kareem Maddox (Princeton), Alexander Zuev (Gagarin), and Jessey Voorn (Utrecht) each leading their teams into battle.

We are in for one amazing Abu Dhabi Masters.

FIBA