Canada out for dominance at home in stacked FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Montreal Stop 2023

MONTREAL (Canada) - A perfect record at home so far, Canada will look to cement their spot as the winningest team this season at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Montreal Stop 2023 on September 2 - 3.

Here’s what to expect in the penultimate event of the series. 

The Contenders

Reigning champions Canada have won every Stop that has taken place in their country, and have looked unstoppable every time they’ve taken to the court. That is especially true when the Plouffe sisters grace the court, which would be the case in Montreal. They will be joined by the sharpshooting Paige Crozon and the defensive lockdown Kacie Bosch. 

The physicality and connection Michelle and Katherine Plouffe brings tips them forward as the favorites whenever they compete. Add to that the scoring and perimeter presence of Bosch and Crozon, it isn’t hard to see why Canada are in position to become the team with the most stop wins this season with five. They arrived into the fold late this season, but have looked every bit of the champions they are, and with momentum on their side, they would love to keep the ball rolling up heading into Ulaanbaatar. 

Though it’s just eight teams competing in the stop, competition is steep. USA U24 will take to the court again led by the duo of Hailey Van Lith and Cameron Brink. Madison Scott and Leilani Kapinus would once again compete alongside Van Lith as they did in the Nations League a couple months ago where they were pretty much undeniable. Brink and HVL were also a part of the side that challenged Canada to their limit, but just fell short in the final in Quebec. They’ll have their chance at revenge once again in Montreal. 

The side that fell back amidst the heated competition between Canada and USA U24 in Quebec was Germany, who lost narrowly to the American side in the Semi-Finals. It’s been a story of almost for the Germans this season, having failed to win a stop so far. They came close in Baku, losing in the final to Düsseldorf ZOOS. They still have a spot at Ulaanbaatar and have a shot to make a real statement in Montreal with a win. It will be the trio of Svenja Brunckhorst, Sonja Greinacher and Luana Rodefeld taking to the court. They will be joined by the debuting Elisa Mevius. Despite only 19, she has had her fair share of experience in the 3x3 and looks to offer the spark Germany needs to gain momentum heading into Mongolia. 

The USA will also field their primary team, led by Cierra Burdick. The scoring power of Camille Zimmerman and Caroline Littlefield will once again make them a team to be feared along with the presence of Blake Dietrick. They’ve been clinical this series, winning two stops with some incredible team-centric plays. They have the right mix of fundamental skillset and size to make them a perennial threat. 

The Field

Poland are ruthless. They play lockdown defense and drain shots you didn’t think they could. They have consistently shown they can beat any team on their day, but just have fallen short from going all the way. Aldona Morawiec and Klaudia Sosnowska will lead the offensive charge alongside Marta Marcinkowska and Marta Stawicka. They have shown they’re capable of deep runs, and while many may not have them as favorites for the event, they’ll be prepared to prove why they’re just as capable as anyone else. 

The speedy Romanian side will be in action in Montreal as well, having the ability to outpace their opposition and make it difficult for any side in the event. It will be the core of Ancuta Stoenescu, Anamaria Virjoghe, Andreea Mititelu and Nagy-Voica Bianca-Ioana. 

Chile are another team that can shoot lights out. They have been clutch whenever they take to the court and a shooting team is one you cannot look past. It will be Catalina Abuyeres, Barbara Cousino, Fernando Cacares and Andrea Cataldo. They will be a fun team to watch out for. 

It will be a fairly new-look New Zealand side as well, only Dominique Stephens and Arielle Williams having competed this season in Edmonton. They’ll be returning to action in Canada joined by Taiana Day and Olivia O’Neill. 

Pools

Pool A: Canada, Poland, USA U24, New Zealand

Pool B: Germany, USA, Romania, Chile

How to watch

The action takes place in Canada on September 2- 3 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.