The 2024 Paris Olympics have posed a stern challenge for the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams, with neither securing a win in their first five combined games.
Struggles on the Court
The women's 3x3 team faced a particularly rough start, finding themselves at the bottom of the standings after losses to Azerbaijan, Germany, and Australia. Their recent defeat was a close 17-15 loss to Australia on Thursday. Prior to that, the team succumbed to Azerbaijan with a score of 20-17 on Wednesday and to Germany 17-13 on Tuesday.
Cierra Burdick, a notable player on the women's team, expressed her disappointment after the game against Germany, stating, "I didn’t think it was going to be that ugly." The team, which includes Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Hailey Van Lith, and Burdick, had come into the tournament with high expectations, especially given Burdick and Van Lith's gold-winning performance at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
Team Composition and Backgrounds
Dearica Hamby, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, and Rhyne Howard, representing the Atlanta Dream, bring professional experience to the team. Hailey Van Lith is currently still in college, while Cierra Burdick continues her career in Spain with Valencia. Despite their diverse backgrounds and individual successes, the team has not yet found its footing in Paris.
Men’s Team Faces a Tough Initiation
The men's 3x3 team, making its Olympic debut, also struggled, losing 19-17 to Poland and 22-14 to Serbia. The roster, which features former NBA player Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, had high hopes following their second-place finish to Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Jimmer Fredette, who has six seasons of NBA experience, remains optimistic despite the rocky start, saying, "It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow."
Gameplay and Tournament Structure
3x3 basketball, a fast-paced game played on half a court with a 10-minute game format, is a relatively new addition to the Olympics. Scoring is based on one-point and two-point baskets, and teams earn their places by participating in sanctioned 3x3 events throughout the year. Each team has seven games scheduled in the pool round, leaving room for potential comebacks.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The U.S. teams have a storied history in Olympic basketball. The women's 3x3 team clinched gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the women's 5x5 team boasts an undefeated Olympic record since 1992, aiming for their eighth consecutive gold. The 5x5 team features luminaries like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games.
Despite their current hurdles, both 3x3 teams have the talent and determination to turn the tide. With several games still to play, the journey in Paris is far from over.