On Tuesday, the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams encountered a challenging start at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffering defeats in their opening games. The U.S. women's team fell 17-13 to Germany, while the men's team was outplayed by Serbia, losing 22-14.
Women's 3x3 Basketball Struggles
The U.S. women's 3x3 team, which had an early 5-0 lead against Germany, saw their efforts ultimately fall short. A fierce battle concluded with Germany securing a 17-13 victory. Dearica Hamby, a star player for the Los Angeles Sparks, joined the team following Cameron Brink's unfortunate torn ACL.
Joining Hamby were Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream, Hailey Van Lith, who is currently playing college basketball, and Cierra Burdick, who plies her trade in Spain for Valencia. Burdick and Van Lith were instrumental in the team's gold medal win at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. Reflecting on the match, Burdick admitted, "I didn't think it was going to be that ugly."
It was a bitter pill to swallow, considering the U.S. women's 3x3 team’s previous dominance, having clinched the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a roster that included Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsea Plum, and Jackie Young.
Men's 3x3 Basketball Faces Uphill Battle
In the men's 3x3 event, the U.S. team, featuring Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, faced the world’s top-ranked team, Serbia. Despite a promising start that saw the U.S. men leading for much of the first half, Serbia's prowess ultimately sealed their win at 22-14.
Fredette, a former NBA player with six seasons of experience, expressed determination despite the loss. "It's a long tournament for us, and we're excited to get back at it tomorrow," he remarked. The U.S. men's 3x3 team had secured their Olympic spot by finishing second in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Serbia had previously defeated them in the final with a close 21-19 scoreline.
Olympic Basketball Legacy and Future
While the 3x3 teams faced setbacks, U.S. basketball's larger legacy and ambitions remain steadfast, particularly in the traditional 5x5 format. The U.S. women's 5x5 basketball team has not lost an Olympic game since 1992 and is aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Games. This team boasts remarkable talent, including A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games—a testament to her enduring skill and leadership.
On the men’s side, the U.S. 5x5 basketball team is also pursuing excellence and is seeking their fifth consecutive gold medal. The program's storied history and commitment to maintaining its position at the pinnacle of the sport continue to drive its efforts in each Olympiad.
As the tournament progresses, both the men’s and women’s 3x3 squads will be looking to regroup and demonstrate their capabilities, inspired by a legacy that has seen American basketball achieve unparalleled success on the global stage. Although the opening games did not go as planned, the resilience and determination of the players will be crucial as they strive to advance in the competition and uphold the proud tradition of U.S. basketball.