Top 10 players to watch at FIBA 3x3 Prague Masters 2023

PRAGUE (Czech Republic) - The Prague Masters is a fan favorite destination on the World Tour and the celebrations will be in overdrive on August 5-6 for its 10th edition. 

So to kick-off the party, let's find 10 players you just have to watch in the Czech Republic's stunning capital city. 

Strahinja Stojacic (Ub Huishan NE)

'Doctor Strange' made a big statement at the Edmonton Masters for anyone who dared question his status as 3x3's best player. 

Stojacic was in attack mode from the get go as he led Ub to a historic fifth straight title and he walked off with the MVP.

While his teammates understandably occasionally take a breather during a torrid schedule, the 31-year-old is an iron man and he has unwavering energy and passion. 

Until someone takes his crown, Stojacic remains the king of the half-court and there is every chance he wins a fourth Masters MVP of the season. 

 

Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam HiPRO)

The flying Dutchman's heater to start the season ended in Edmonton, where he averaged 5.3 - about half his World Tour average - as Amsterdam were knocked out in the quarters. 

But we're backing de Jong to get back to his very best - something close to the ridiculous heights he reached at the Marseille Masters - and to do that he'll need to be ultra-aggressive attacking the basket. 

If he can help end Ub's dominance, while collecting a first-ever Masters MVP, de Jong will make a step towards Stojacic's crown.

 

 

Miroslav Pasajlic (Riga)

You know this guy is a walking bucket when even Ub are clueless against him. 

The dynamic Pasajlic scored 14 of Riga's 17 points to almost single-handedly beat Ub in the quarters at Edmonton. 

He's a former Masters and Europe Cup MVP, but sniper Pasajlic has gone up a level and relished the extra scoring load for his new team Riga. 

The 28-year-old is playing with a bucketload of passion as he aims to keep Riga in the top tier. 

 

Karlis Lasmanis (Beijing)

'Batman' has seamlessly fit in with his new team Beijing and averages a healthy 7.5 ppg on this season's World Tour.

It's been a fine start, highlighted by winning three pro circuit titles, but Lasmanis has his sights bigger. 

After all this is the dude who hit the biggest shot in 3x3 history when he iced Latvia's gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Before Stojacic's domination, Lasmanis was often rated as the game's best player and it's a status you know this competitive beast wants to get back. 

Quincy Diggs (Vienna) 

We haven't seen as much of Vienna (AUT) this season and they don't disappoint on the half-court having made the semis in 3 of 4 events they've played in 2023. 

But they want a W and their chances are high with scoring machine Quincy Diggs leading the charge.

The 6ft. 6in (1.98m) Diggs loves the big stage and can splash from anywhere on the half-court, as you can tell by his World Tour scoring average of 6.9 ppg and 42% from 2. 

He might sometimes be overshadowed by other stars, but if Diggs collects MVP in Prague then the whole world will take notice.

 

Netanel Artzi (Tel-Aviv)

The 26-year-old wrecking ball might just prove to be the most dominant dude in Prague. 

We've seen glimpses of the 6ft. 7in (2m) athletic beast this year both on the pro circuit and in international play, as Artzi spectacularly emerges on the scene.

There better be an ambulance close by in Prague because dunk machine Netanel Artzi is known to commit crimes on the half-court. 

 

Franck Seguela (Paris)

If Paris are to go deep from the qualifying draw then their talismanic player will need to put on a show. 

Their hopes should be high having come off a triumph at the Bordeaux Challenger, where Franck Seguela walked off with MVP after leading all scorers. 

This 6ft. 7in (2m) excitement machine can do it all on the half-court with insane handles, pretty passing and a wet jumper. 

He's inching into the very top bracket of players on the World Tour.

 

Thomas and Natan Jurkovitz (Fribourg)

It's double trouble when the Jurkovitz bros are on the half-court. 

They've been a deadly one-two punch as they've led dangerous Fribourg's (SUI) strong play on the pro circuit. 

Natan has been a bulldozer, reviving his spectacular play when he once starred for Lausanne, while Thomas can dominate the paint whenever he wants also. 

If they both fire in Prague, don't discount Fribourg making some noise from the qualifying draw. 

 

Kevin Tyml (Ostrava Victoria)

Buckle up because 21-year-old excitement machine Tyml is ready to make his World Tour debut.

The 6ft. 5in (1.99m) Czech has shown glimpses at junior level and the pro circuit, but is ready for the big stage. 

He'll face some of the world's best players against Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL) and Beijing (CHN), but don't expect him to back down. 

We're tipping that he becomes a fan favorite in Prague.

Malik Hluchoweckyj (Jeddah)

The American has already proven a welcome addition for Jeddah (KSA), who reached the semis in Marseille in their only event this season. 

Malik Hluchoweckyj again unleashed his tricks, including speeding to the rim quicker than you can say his surname. 

This dude is all bling on the half-court and you can bet he'll finish in our top plays of the tournament.

FIBA