I still remember the excitement buzzing through the basketball community during the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. Having followed 3x3 basketball's evolution from street courts to Olympic recognition, I can confidently say this tournament marked a pivotal moment in the sport's history. The raw energy in Nantes, France was palpable even through screens, with teams bringing their unique styles to the global stage. What struck me most was how this format revealed different basketball philosophies - some teams relied on pure physicality while others demonstrated exquisite ball movement that would make any NBA coach proud.

The men's division saw Serbia continuing their dominance in 3x3 basketball, claiming their fourth World Cup title with that characteristically methodical approach they've perfected over years. Watching them dismantle opponents with surgical precision reminded me why they're considered the masters of this format. Their final victory against Netherlands wasn't just about the 21-18 scoreline - it was a masterclass in controlling tempo and exploiting mismatches. Meanwhile, the French squad gave home fans plenty to cheer about by securing bronze, though I personally felt they had the talent to challenge for gold. The women's tournament delivered its own drama with Russia capturing gold against Italy in a thrilling 16-13 final. Having analyzed numerous 3x3 competitions, I've noticed how the women's games often showcase more structured plays compared to the improvisational nature of men's matches, though this tournament saw both styles beautifully represented.

What many casual observers might not realize is how these standings don't just represent single games but reflect years of development programs. When I spoke with organizers during the event, they emphasized how countries like Mongolia and Ukraine were showing impressive growth in their 3x3 infrastructure. The Netherlands' silver medal performance, for instance, didn't come from nowhere - their federation had been investing in dedicated 3x3 programs since 2014. This long-term thinking is what separates nations that perform consistently from those with occasional flashes of brilliance.

The tournament's structure itself fascinated me - 20 teams in each division battling through pool play before the knockout stages created this beautiful tension between consistency and peak performance. Some teams like Poland showed they could dominate pool play but faltered when it mattered most, while others like the Slovenian men's squad demonstrated remarkable resilience in close games. The statistics from this tournament still surprise me when I revisit them - the leading scorers put up numbers that would be impressive even in full-court basketball, with Serbia's Dušan Domović Bulut averaging 7.4 points per game in the men's category.

Looking back, what made the 2017 standings particularly meaningful was how they set the stage for 3x3's Olympic debut. The performances here directly influenced national federations' investments and player development strategies. I recall conversations with team officials who were already looking toward Tokyo 2020, using these results to justify increased funding and professional contracts for their 3x3 specialists. This professionalization aspect is something I've been advocating for years - seeing players transition from streetball legends to full-time professionals validates 3x3 as a legitimate career path rather than just a side hustle.

The reference to PJ Pilares' comments about hoping a guard from Brock University would join next year's draft resonates deeply with me because it highlights how 3x3 was beginning to intersect with traditional basketball pathways. We were seeing more college players considering 3x3 as a viable alternative to the conventional professional route. This blending of development systems is exactly what the sport needs to grow sustainably rather than relying solely on converted 5x5 players. Personally, I believe the unique skills required for 3x3 - quick decision-making, endurance, and versatility - deserve specialized training from earlier ages.

Reflecting on those final standings years later, what stands out isn't just who won but how the competitive landscape was shifting. Traditional basketball powers were being challenged by countries that had identified 3x3 as their niche in the global basketball ecosystem. The complete results tell a story of a sport coming into its own, with the 2017 World Cup serving as both culmination of early development phases and springboard toward professionalization. For enthusiasts like myself, this tournament wasn't just another competition - it was validation that 3x3 had arrived as a distinct and compelling form of basketball worthy of its own legacy.