At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams have both experienced early setbacks, failing to secure a victory in their first five combined games. The women's team has struggled, enduring a trio of losses to Azerbaijan, Germany, and Australia, leaving them at the bottom of the standings.
Women's Team Faces Challenges
The women's 3x3 team’s performance has been disappointing, with close matches that slipped through their fingers. On Thursday, they faced Australia and lost 17-15. A day earlier, they succumbed to Azerbaijan, 20-17. Their campaign began with a defeat to Germany on Tuesday by a score of 17-13.
"I didn't think it was going to be that ugly," remarked Cierra Burdick after their game against Germany, reflecting the team's frustration.
Burdick, a key player for the women's team, brings experience from Valencia in Spain and showcased her skills as part of the team that clinched gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. Alongside Burdick, the roster includes Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks, Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream, and Hailey Van Lith, a promising talent still in college.
Despite the rocky start, the women’s team retains a glimmer of hope, drawing on their past victories, including the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Hamby's and Howard's professional experience. However, the path ahead will require significant improvements and a series of wins to advance through the tournament.
Men's Team Struggles in Debut
The men's 3x3 basketball team, making their Olympic debut, also faced tough opposition. They opened their campaign with a narrow 19-17 loss to Poland and then fell 22-14 to Serbia, a formidable team that the US finished second to at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Jimmer Fredette, a seasoned player with six NBA seasons under his belt, expressed a resilient spirit despite the losses. “It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow,” Fredette said after Tuesday's game. Alongside Fredette, the men’s roster includes Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, each bringing their unique strengths to the squad.
Format and Future Prospects
3x3 basketball, played on a half-court with a fast-paced, 10-minute game format, requires quick reflexes and seamless teamwork. Scoring is distinct from traditional basketball, with baskets counting for one or two points. This format demands continuous participation in sanctioned 3x3 events throughout the year for players to secure spots on the team, emphasizing the need for constant readiness and tactical adaptation.
While their initial outings have been less than ideal, the US teams are not devoid of hope. Their itinerant training sessions, like the men's camp in February, have provided intermittent opportunities for cohesion, but translating this into Olympic success remains the challenge. The tournament's structure, which includes seven games in the pool round, still offers a chance for redemption through strong performances in the remaining matches.
Reflecting on broader US basketball, the women's 5x5 team continues to exhibit remarkable prowess, maintaining an undefeated Olympic record since 1992 and aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal. Led by basketball icons like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi—who is competing in her sixth Olympics—the 5x5 team stands in stark contrast to their 3x3 counterparts, underscoring the mixed fortunes of US basketball at the Paris Games.
As the tournament progresses, both the men's and women's 3x3 teams will need to dig deep into their reserves of skill, strategy, and resilience. Only through this can they hope to turn around a dismal start and evoke the illustrious history of US basketball dominance on the global stage.