The United States men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams have faced a tough start at the 2024 Paris Olympics, failing to secure a victory in their initial five combined games. The women’s team, in particular, has found the competition steep, suffering defeats against Azerbaijan, Germany, and Australia.
Despite a strong lineup, including key player Cierra Burdick, the women's team currently languishes at the bottom of the standings. They endured a narrow 17-15 loss to Australia on Thursday, a 20-17 defeat by Azerbaijan on Wednesday, and a 17-13 setback against Germany on Tuesday. Reflecting on the game against Germany, Burdick remarked, "I didn’t think it was going to be that ugly."
Joining Burdick on the roster are Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks, Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream, and college player Hailey Van Lith. Hamby’s performance has been under the spotlight due to her prominent WNBA career with the Sparks, while Howard’s talents have been honed with the Atlanta Dream. Burdick herself has taken a different path recently, playing for Valencia in Spain. Both Burdick and Van Lith have tasted gold before, having been a part of the triumphant team at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
Men’s 3x3 Team: A Learning Curve
The men's 3x3 team, making its Olympic debut, has also experienced a rocky start. In their first two games, they were defeated 19-17 by Poland and 22-14 by the formidable Serbian team. Despite these initial setbacks, Jimmer Fredette, who has six seasons of NBA experience under his belt, remains optimistic. "It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow," he noted after Tuesday's game.
The men's squad also features talent such as Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox. The team showcased its potential earlier this year, finishing second to Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and undergoing intensive preparation during a training camp in February. Moreover, the structure of 3x3 basketball, with its quick-paced, half-court 10-minute games and one or two-point scoring system, presents unique challenges and opportunities versus the traditional 5x5 format.
Historic Context and Future Prospects
The USA’s women's 3x3 team has a prestigious history, having clinched gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, the current Olympic journey in Paris has been far from smooth. The once-dominant team now faces an uphill battle to regain its form and advance beyond the pool round.
On the 5x5 front, the USA women’s team boasts an unbroken winning streak since 1992 and is in pursuit of an eighth consecutive gold medal. The star-studded roster includes celebrated players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and the legendary Diana Taurasi, who is marking her sixth Olympic appearance.
With five games remaining in the pool round for each team, there is still time for a turnaround. The US squads have shown resilience and capability in past competitions. Their efforts in the coming days will be crucial in determining their paths forward in the 2024 Olympics.
In a competition as dynamic and challenging as Olympic-level 3x3 basketball, past laurels offer inspiration but no guarantees. The current trajectory for both US teams underscores the ever-evolving nature of the sport and the relentless pursuit of excellence required to stay at the top. The remaining games are set to be a test of skill, strategy, and fortitude.