All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Lausanne Masters 2023

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - The fan favorite Lausanne Masters spectacularly delivered on August 18-19 as a new champion was crowned on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023.  

Let's recap the action. 

Antwerp TOPdesk's persistence rewarded

Entering the season, there were question marks over Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL) after the departure of superstar Thibaut Vervoort. 

But the Belgians made a statement from the start by making the final at the Utsunomiya Opener and have claimed two titles on the pro circuit, including at the recent Sukhbaaater Challenger.

They arrived in Lausanne with swagger, but looked far from a title contender after only narrowly scraping past Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) before losing to hosts Lausanne (SUI) on Day One.

But Antwerp weren't worried and peaked when it mattered most during the knockout stages, where Jonas Foerts announced himself on the big stage with 11 points and the Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater to down Liman Huishan NE in an epic quarter-final. 

Red-hot Miami (USA), fresh from ending Ub Huishan NE's amazing winning run, were next but Antwerp shut down superstar Jimmer Fredette to record the dub then silenced the home fans to exact revenge over Lausanne (SUI) in a tense final.

The 26-year-old Foert has provided a spark in his return to Antwerp this season and deservedly walked off with the MVP after a lights out display where he top-scored with 43 points and finished No.1 in player value (46.1).

Perhaps the happiest dude was Dennis Donkor, the team's heart and soul, who has put everything on the line this season and was understandably jumping for joy when Antwerp's second ever Masters title was secured. 

 

Lausanne once again rises at home

Perhaps it's playing in front of their loud fans, who make the Olympic capital the biggest party in town, but hometown heroes Lausanne always bring it as hosts. 

Lausanne reached the final for the second straight season at their home event after a stirring run where they were unbeaten until falling short to Antwerp in an incredible decider. 

Carlos Martinez is something of a  real magician away from 3x3 and he produced tricks on the half-court to lead Lausanne's charge with 33 points. 

Lausanne, however, have never previously been able to consistently take their home form abroad. Time will tell if they can this time around. 

 

Miami falls short again

If anyone was going to take down unstoppable Ub - winners of 6 of 6 Masters this season - it was probably going to be 'Jimmer Mania'. 

Ub's historic run - where they won 31 of 32 World Tour games - finally ended in the quarter-finals when former NBA player Jimmer Fredette caught fire to sink 6 two-pieces on his way to a ridiculous 13 points. 

It was sweet revenge for Fredette, who had the heartbreak of narrowly missing the game-winner against Serbia to win the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023.

It seemed like Miami were well on their way to a first title before being shut down by Antwerp in the semis. 

The much-hyped Miami have played in six events - including two Masters - but still are yet to taste the ultimate success.

But after at least proving Ub are beatable, Miami are inching closer to the title the American newcomers so desperately crave.

 

Ub's amazing run finally ends

It just had to happen one day - and no one could have possibly imagined that it would have taken until mid-August for Ub's Masters dominance to end. 

But after producing the GOAT run, Ub finally ran out of gas which perhaps wasn't so surprising given their brutal schedule they've had for many months now. 

Though it was a little bit of a shock to see their A-Team - stacked with the four regulars - fall short given a full-strength Ub are probably the best line-up we've ever seen on the half-court. 

But you just know this will make them more determined, so look out in Debrecen next week because they'll be out for revenge!

 

It's Miller Time!

One of the best dunkers on the planet took center stage in Lausanne. You know what time it is? That's right, Miller Time. 

Ukraine's Vadim 'Miller' Poddubchenko took out the Meanquest Dunk Contest with a collection of filthy dunks .

In a loaded draw, featuring previous champs Joel 'The Royal Guard Henry' and Brandon 'B-Ruff' Ruffin, it was 'Miller' who proved once again that he's one of the best to ever grace the skies.

Lausanne never disappoints as a 3x3 destination

This time every year, the Lausanne Masters puts on a lit show and once again the Olympic capital showed why it holds a special place on the World Tour calendar. 

The extremely passionate and knowledgeable 3x3 fans make the event so memorable and lifts the players to great heights.

We can't wait to return in 12 months. 

 

 FIBA