Who's Next? Why Shanghai's First World Tour Title Is Within Reach

MIES (Switzerland) – Shanghai (CHN) have quietly established themselves as one of the toughest outs on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2026 this season. While a championship has remained elusive, they've consistently positioned themselves among the contenders, reaching the semifinals on home soil, qualifying for knockout rounds and climbing to fifth in the Tour standings. More importantly, they've shown they can go toe-to-toe with the world's best teams. The pieces are already in place. Here are three reasons Shanghai could finally break through for their first World Tour title of 2026.

By the Numbers

Here are three reasons why they could finally turn that promise into their first World Tour title of the season.

1. Ultimate game-changer

Every contender needs a player who can take over when the stakes are highest. Shanghai absolutely have exactly that in Karlis Lasmanis.

The Latvian legend continues to prove why he's one of 3x3 basketball's greatest competitors. Currently ranked 14th on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour with a Player Value of 105.7, Lasmanis ranks among the WT leaders with 91 total points, 19 two-pointers made, 19 free-throws made and 29 assists. His ability to score from anywhere, create opportunities for teammates and deliver in clutch moments makes him the heartbeat of Shanghai's offense.

His résumé speaks for itself. Lasmanis remains one of a select group of players in 3x3 basketball history to have completed the discipline's coveted "triple crown," winning the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, Europe Cup and Olympic gold medal.

Championship experience can't guarantee victories, of course. Still, it provides something every aspiring contender needs. That's a player who already knows what it takes to finish the job.

2. Inside-outside combination

While Lasmanis orchestrates the attack from the perimeter, Cameron Forte gives Shanghai one of the most imposing interior presences in the game.

The American big man leads the team with 6.2 points per game and has become a force around the rim, converting an outstanding 74 percent of his one-point attempts. Opponents know exactly where Forte wants to score, yet stopping him remains another matter entirely. His blend of size, strength and relentless physicality makes him nearly impossible to move once he establishes position.

Forte also anchors Shanghai on the glass. He leads the entire FIBA 3x3 World Tour in rebounds per game (6.3), ranks among the Tour leaders with seven double-fives and has already produced three triple-fives this season.

There is still room for growth, though. Forte has yet to attempt a two-pointer on the World Tour this year, and his 23 turnovers rank among the Tour's highest totals. If he can add another dimension to his offensive game while protecting the ball more consistently, Shanghai's ceiling rises even further.

3. They belong among the elite

The hardest step for an emerging contender is believing it belongs with the very best. Shanghai have already crossed that line.

They've finished inside the top six at four of their six World Tour appearances this season, highlighted by a Semi-Finals run at WT Shanghai and another encouraging fifth-place finish in WT Ulaanbaatar. More importantly, they've shown they can compete with and beat established World Tour powers over the course of a tournament.

Those experiences matter. Every knockout game, every close finish and every victory over elite opposition strengthens the belief that a title isn't out of reach. Sometimes the difference between a contender and a champion is simply timing. Shanghai appear to be getting closer with every stop.

X-Factor: Supporting cast

Lasmanis and Forte have been the constants. They will produce their numbers. The bigger question is whether Shanghai's supporting cast can consistently match that level of production. Wu Xingrui, Zhu Yuanbo and Lu Pengcheng have each delivered important moments throughout the season, but turning those flashes into reliable contributions could be the difference in tight knockout games.

If Shanghai can consistently find a third or even fourth scorer to complement their two stars, they'll become a significantly tougher team to eliminate.

Shanghai's Semi-Finals run on home soil last May wasn't simply an emotional moment but a glimpse of what this roster can accomplish when everything clicks. If they can carry that same defensive intensity, physical presence and offensive balance anywhere they go, there is very little separating them from the World Tour's established favorites.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA