FIBA 3x3 World Cup Mongolia 2025

The GB Men’s 3x3 team has assembled ahead of their first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Cup held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, this week.

Head Coach Afiz Olaniyan’s side arrives after a tough-fought Euro Cup Qualifiers campaign, in which they ultimately fell to elite opposition.

Nevertheless, GB will draw confidence from their quality performance in the World Cup Qualifiers, back in May, where they defeated Azerbaijan and Rwanda on their path to the World Cup.

Ashley Hamilton had a stand out performance, displaying incredible footwork and physicality. He returns for the World Cup as Great Britain’s highest-ranked 3x3 player, at 115th.

Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (DLO) further illustrated his dynamism at the Euro Cup Qualifiers, putting the world on notice. His ability to get hot, putting up huge numbers with ease, will prove essential for this GB side that relies on fast-paced, relentless attacks.

Hafeez Abdul completes the three who have started the majority of GB’s 3x3 fixtures this year. Abdul is another powerful, two-way slasher in Coach Olaniyan’s arsenal and provides an important link between Hamilton’s work down low and DLO’s on the perimeter.

Evan Walshe also has the call up to play for GB on the world stage for the first time since the Europe Cup in August 2024 and will be eager to solidify his place among the GB regulars.

GB Men's 3x3 at Euro Cup 2024

GB will play their first two games of the tournament on June 23, taking on the Netherlands at 5:15 am (BST) before Switzerland at 7:05 am (BST).

The Netherlands, the third-ranked men’s 3x3 federation in the world, won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics courtesy of a clutch two-point shot by Worthy de Jong, the fifth-ranked 3x3 player. GB will have to defend carefully if they are to get a result from this one, as they face a truly elite 3x3 programme.

GB lost to Switzerland in the quarter finals of the Europe Cup in 2024 after a scoring barrage inflicted by Natan Jurkovitz. Natan is joined by his younger brother Thomas for the World Cup, but will face a reinvigorated GB side, desperate for reprisal.

GB will next play Lithuania at 4:50 am (BST) on 25 June. Lithuania boasts a wealth of high-ranking talent; Aurelijus Pukelis is ranked 11th in the world, and Evaldas Džiaugys is ranked 14th, going into the tournament. The team suffered defeat to Lithuania in the Europe Cup Qualifiers earlier this month, staying close for the majority of the match before Džiaugys took over, imposing his physicality and three-point finesse.

GB closes out Pool D against 12th-seeded Spain at 6:40 am (BST). Although a strong side, this final fixture may present an opportunity for GB to exploit their size and speed advantages over a smaller side.

To watch live streams of the games, go to the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.