Canada out to rediscover top form at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Poitiers Stop

POITIERS (France) - Top seeded Canada will be determined to win a first title of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2023 at the Poitiers Stop on June 27-28. 

Let's take a closer look at the seventh stop on this season's schedule.

 The Favorites

They haven't played much so far in 2023 but Canada are the No.1 seeds for good reason. 

Canada made their Women's Series season debut in Orleans last week, where they lost a tight semi-final to eventual champs Spain. 

Led by the brilliant Plouffe sisters, Canada will again be pitted in Pool A against Italy and Neftchi (AZE) much like in Orleans where they won both games.

Canada's quest for a title breakthrough might need to eventually go through red-hot China, who sit pretty at the top of the overall standings with three titles.

China will be led by young gun Mingling Chen, who was part of the team's triumph in Baoding. She's emerging into the next big thing for her country and you just know this rising star is worth the hype. 

The loaded draw also has hoops power USA and their U24 team in what is a showcase of their depth of talent. 

USA have FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 gold medallists Cierra Burdick, a 3x3 OG, and sharpshooter Linnae Harper who loves nothing more than dropping two pieces. 

 

They'll be out to go one step further after a runners-up finish in Orleans, where Breanna Richardson was more cash than the box office of The Flash. 

Athletic youngster Kayla Wells showcased plenty of promise in Orleans and if she goes up a level then we can sneak USA U24 into this list. 

We just have to put Lithuania here because we know they can't wait to get back on the pro circuit having finished second at Clermont-Ferrand in their only appearance this season. 

The Field

There are numerous dark horses led by Sc. Yuanda (CHN), who sit second overall on the standings and have played a truckload of games this season. 

They are a hardened team and a rising force in 3x3, but were knocked out in an OT classic quarter-final by Canada at Orleans.  

Mengyun Zhou has been unstoppable this season and the 24-year-old is the next big thing in 3x3 so we can't wait to see her against some of the best in the business. 

France U24 will be flying the French flag and they'll hope loud support from the home fans can get them over the line. 

There is always a lot of excitement when 22-year-old Sixtine Macquet steps on the half-court and this will be no exception as she leads France U24's charge. 

 

Neftchi also looms as a threat having created history by taking out the title in Shusha with Brianna Fraser and Arica Carter out to again prove that they are a dynamic duo.

Italy, Switzerland, Israel and Gyor (HUN) can't be counted out either. 

Pools

Pool A: Canada, Italy, Neftchi (AZE)
Pool B: China, Gyor (HUN), Switzerland
Pool C: USA, France U24, Israel
Pool D: Lithuania, Sc. Yuanda (CHN), USA U24

How to watch

The two-day extravaganza is on June 27-28 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages.

FIBA