The United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams have faced a challenging start at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffering defeats in their first five combined games. The women's team has shown resilience despite tough losses, while the men's team, making its Olympic debut, is striving to find its rhythm.
Women's Team Struggles
The women's 3x3 team has regrettably found themselves at the bottom of the standings after consecutive losses to Azerbaijan, Germany, and Australia. Their campaign opened with a defeat to Germany, 17-13, on Tuesday. The following day, they narrowly lost to Azerbaijan, 20-17. Continuing this unfortunate streak, Australia edged them out 17-15 in a tight contest on Thursday.
Key player Cierra Burdick expressed her surprise at the unexpected performance. "I didn’t think it was going to be that ugly,” Burdick remarked after their game against Germany. Despite their struggles, the team consists of accomplished athletes like Dearica Hamby, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream, Cierra Burdick who now plays in Spain for Valencia, and Hailey Van Lith, who is still in college.
Key Players and Expectations
Among these players, Van Lith and Burdick bring a history of success, having been part of the team that won gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. However, translating that same success to the Olympic stage has proven challenging. The team's morale remains steadfast, with hopes pinned on turning the tide in the remaining pool games.
Men's Team Faces Initial Hurdles
For the men's team, the Olympics has been a learning curve. In their debut games, they fell to Poland, 19-17, and to a dominant Serbian team, 22-14. This marks their first Olympic appearance, building on their strong performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where they finished second to Serbia. The roster, including Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, is full of potential and is determined to improve their game.
Fredette, a seasoned player with six NBA seasons under his belt, remains optimistic. “It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow,” he said after Tuesday's game. The men's team had a comprehensive training camp in February, indicating their serious preparation and commitment to making their mark at the Olympics.
The Game Format
3x3 basketball, a fast-paced and intense variation of the traditional game, uses only half the court with a 10-minute game format. The scoring system awards one or two points per basket, creating a dynamic and high-energy competition. This format necessitates that players must continuously participate in sanctioned 3x3 events throughout the year to maintain competitive readiness and earn spots on the team.
Historical Context and Future Hopes
Historically, the USA women's 3x3 team has seen considerable success, capturing the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In contrast, the women's 5x5 team boasts an undefeated Olympic record since 1992 and aims for their eighth consecutive gold medal in Paris. With stars like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games, the 5x5 team remains a formidable force in international basketball.
As both teams press forward in the pool round, they aim to utilize their skills and experience to secure victories in their remaining games. The women's 3x3 team, having seven games scheduled in the pool round, has more opportunities to rebound and elevate their standing. Similarly, the men's team looks to make adjustments and capitalize on their training and past experiences.
The road ahead in the Paris Olympics remains a challenging but hopeful journey for both the men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams. Their unwavering determination and the lessons learned from these early setbacks could pave the way for memorable comebacks on the illustrious Olympic stage.