The United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams have stumbled out of the gates at the 2024 Paris Olympics, failing to secure a win in their first five combined games. The women's 3x3 team, in particular, finds itself at the bottom of the standings after suffering defeats to Azerbaijan, Germany, and Australia.
Women’s Struggles
The women's team faced a narrow 17-15 loss to Australia on Thursday, capping off a challenging week that also saw a 20-17 defeat to Azerbaijan on Wednesday and a 17-13 loss to Germany on Tuesday. Despite the setbacks, the team features several key players, including Cierra Burdick, who now plays in Spain for Valencia, and Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks. Other notable players include Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream and Hailey Van Lith, who is still in college.
Burdick and Van Lith bring with them some winning pedigree; both were part of the team that clinched gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. However, their experience hasn’t yet translated to success in Paris. “I didn’t think it was going to be that ugly,” Burdick lamented after the team's uninspired performance against Germany.
Men’s Struggles
On the men's side, the team also failed to find its rhythm in their Olympic debut. They suffered a tight 19-17 loss to Poland and later fell 22-14 to Serbia. With their training camp dating back to February, expectations were high for the squad led by Jimmer Fredette, who boasts six seasons in the NBA. Alongside Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox filled out a roster that finished second to Serbia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Despite their struggles, Fredette struck an optimistic tone. "It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow," he said after Tuesday's game. However, optimism alone won't turn the tide; execution on the half-court will be crucial as the tournament progresses.
Format and History
The Olympic 3x3 basketball format is both familiar and uniquely challenging. The game is played on half the court with a 10-minute game clock, and baskets count for one or two points, adding a rapid-fire pace that tests both tactical and physical endurance. Each team is scheduled to play seven games in the pool round, so there are still opportunities to turn their fortunes around.
Prior to these games, players earned their spots on the team by participating in sanctioned 3x3 events throughout the year, underscoring the sport's growing structure and competitive environment. This Olympic venture marks the first appearance for the U.S. men’s 3x3 team, while the women garnered acclaim by winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Legacy of the 5x5 Teams
Comparatively, the women's 5x5 basketball team carries a legacy of dominance, boasting an undefeated Olympic record stretching back to 1992 and aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal in Paris. The 5x5 roster reads like a 'who's who' of basketball elites, including A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, the latter competing in an awe-inspiring sixth Olympic Games.
While the 3x3 squads have stumbled so far, their resilience and past achievements suggest they can't be counted out just yet. The pressure to perform is mounting, but the tournament's extended format means there’s still a path to redemption. If the teams can channel the grit and prowess that earned them their places here, a turnaround is far from impossible.
For now, it remains a tense and challenging tournament for both the men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams as they strive to embody the resilience and success that have historically defined U.S. basketball.