Constanta Masters Recap

Hey halfcourt hoops fans,

Welcome to the latest edition of The Drive! This is your inside pass to the world of 3×3, where we bring you behind-the-scenes access, game updates, and all the latest news straight from the court. Let's dive into our performance at the Constanta Masters in Romania.

Constanta Masters: Princeton's Battle

Princeton left it all on the court at the Constanta Masters, finishing in 7th place. The defining moment was a gut-wrenching 1-point quarterfinal loss to a familiar adversary, Liman. It was déjà vu, as we faced off against the veteran Serbian squad for the fourth time this year. We’re now 2-2 against the World’s 7th-ranked team.

Standout Performances

Damon Huffman sizzled from beyond the arc, shooting a scorching 41% (7-of-16), and leading Princeton in scoring with an impressive 22 points over three games. And let's not forget Henry Caruso, who once again showcased his clutch prowess by burying a game-winning two-pointer up by 1, 19-18, against Fribourg to earn a spot in the quarter-finals. Relive the game-winner in the video below.

Around the World: Samobor, Croatia Challenger

While Princeton took a well-deserved break, the 3x3 Pro Circuit continued its global journey with the Samobor, Croatia Challenger. Five of the top seven teams in the world battled it out on the Croatian courts, delivering a weekend filled with thrilling games and a fair share of upsets. In the end, top-ranked Ub clinched the championship, securing their ticket to the upcoming Wuxi Masters (Nov 4-5) alongside Marijampole (Lithuania) and Pirot (Serbia).

What's at Stake for the Rankings and Princeton

Due to our inactivity and the 12-month rolling point system, Princeton will slip from 17th to 18th place in the world rankings. But fret not; we're gearing up for a busy October.

Countdown to the 2024 Olympics

November 1st marks a significant date for 3x3 basketball as it's the cutoff for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. On that day, we'll find out the:

1. Men's and Women's Federations automatically qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in 3x3 basketball.

2. Men's and Women's Federations invited to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for their chance to secure a spot in the Olympics.

As of now, with a little less than 45 days left, Serbia, USA, and The Netherlands lead the pack on the Men's side, while China, France, and the USA are the frontrunners on the Women's side for direct qualification into Paris. However, with a flurry of events worldwide in the coming weeks, anything can happen.

Upcoming Schedule

Here's what's on the horizon:

• September 30 - October 1: Split (Croatia) Challenger

• October 1: 3x3 International Cup (Sacramento, CA)

• October 6-7: Amsterdam (Netherlands) Masters

• October 14-15: San Juan (Puerto Rico) Challenger

• November 2-4: Neom (Saudi Arabia) Challenger

So, 3x3 fans, buckle up for an action-packed October and stay tuned for more updates from the world of FIBA 3x3 basketball.

Thanks for reading!

- Drive3×3 Team