Top women to watch at FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 2024

UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - With the biggest sports event on the planet in their sights, some of the very best women's 3x3 players will be putting everything on the line at the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 2024 on May 3-5. 

Here are the superstars who are ready to put on a show in iconic 3x3 destination Utsunomiya.  

Katherine/Michelle Plouffe (Canada) 

Canada are the No.1 seed largely because they have the top two ranked players on the planet who happen to be sisters - Katherine and Michelle Plouffe. "It's just not fair!" - scream opponents!

They've already tasted Ws after winning a thrilling Springfield Stop with victory over world champs USA to make an opening statement on the Women's Series. 

You guessed it, the Plouffe siblings were at the heart of Canada's title after destroying mighty USA with a combined 15 points in the final. Katherine won the MVP as the sisters take turns dominating hapless opponents. 

They are truly unstoppable as their rivals can feel when hit with the famous Plouffe one-two punch. 

Sonja Greinacher (Germany)

The Plouffe sisters won't be the only superstars dominating the paint because Sonja Greinacher has insane moves down low. 

The towering German dripped buckets in Springfield, but she was just tuning up. The 6ft. 3in (1.9m) Greinacher is a former No.1 ranked player in the world and she will no doubt be aiming to regain the crown. 

But more importantly she's desperate to lead Germany to the Paris Olympics and it might just ignite Greinacher to new heights in Utsunomiya. 

Noortje Driessen (Netherlands)

For some time, Noortje Driessen was hyped up. The Netherlands' next big thing. A combination of power, height and athleticism oozed superstar. 

Driessen has lived up to expectations and capped a strong 2023 by winning MVP at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup to lead the Netherlands to continental glory. 

She's gone up a level after her ridiculous performance at the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1 2024 in Hong Kong, where she averaged 7 ppg to lead the Netherlands into the semis. 

The 6ft (1.82m) Driessen is  unstoppable when she attacks the rim, but she's a two-way player. Driessen can lock down her rivals because she's an elite defender too.

Driessen is climbing the ladder and she will enter Utsunomiya more hyped than The Tortured Poets. 

Nana Santa (Japan)

Japan are determined to get back to the Olympics after a sizzling run at the Tokyo Games. Their hopes might rest with their brightest star - Nana Santa, who is only 21 but her game is mature. 

Every time she steps on the half-court, Santa is absolutely electric and she has the personality to become the ultimate crowd favorite in Utsunomiya.

Keep your eyes on her because this speedster can drive to the bucket quicker than you can say sayonara. 

Anja Fuchs-Robetin (Austria)

She's been a warrior for Austria for a long time and all that blood, sweat and tears has made the 6ft (1.83m) scoring machine her country's leader. 

Fuchs-Robetin may have plenty of experience, but she's still only 27 and entering her absolute peak on the half-court.

She has dominated at times on the Women's Series and international play, but leading Austria to the Olympics will be her crowning achievement. 

Marena Whittle (Australia)

Australia have swept through to concescutive crushing titles at the Asia Cup, with their leader Marena Whittle stamping herself as arguably the best player in the region. 

With strength and determination, the 5ft. 11in (1.8m) Whittle is a tour de force who ignites the powerful 'Gangurrus' team, who will be one of the favorites in Utsunomiya. 

She dominates the boards and the 5ft. 11in (1.8m) Whittle also has the shooter's touch to make her an all-round player that was seemingly built in the 3x3 lab. 

But above all she amps up Australia with her mighty celebrations to give the team an intimidating aura. You'll hear her revving up this well oiled machine in Utsunomiya. 

Luana de Souza (Brazil)

Talk about heart and soul players and you just have to mention Brazilian Luana de Souza, who is all passion on the half-court.

Her energy sparks Americas powerhouse Brazil, who have won silver at the past two AmeriCups with de Souza a big part of their success. 

The 5.9in (1.77m) de Souza is a two-way presence and does all the little things to make her a natural born winner. 

Madina Okot (Kenya)

What was the biggest upset of 2023? On the shortlist just has to be Kenya stunning two-time defending champs Egypt to shock the local fans in Cairo and win the title at the Africa Cup.

Their hero was 19-year-old Madina Okot, who submitted a monster 11-point, 18-rebound performance to lift Kenya to their greatest 3x3 triumph. The 6ft. 6in (1.98m) talented teen will arrive in Utsunomiya as one of 3x3's brightest prospects. 

If she can help Kenya deliver another miracle then Okot will leave Utsunomiya as a legit 3x3 superstar. 

FIBA