U.S. 3x3 Basketball Teams Stumble in Opening Games at Paris Olympics
Tuesday marked a challenging start for the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with both squads facing defeats in their opening matches.
In a closely contested game, the U.S. women's team initially surged ahead with a promising 5-0 lead against Germany. However, the momentum did not last as Germany rallied to secure a 17-13 victory. The U.S. roster, featuring standout players such as Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks and Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream, battled fiercely but fell short.
Hamby joined the team after Cameron Brink suffered a torn ACL, and she, alongside college star Hailey Van Lith and Spain-based Cierra Burdick, had high hopes for the tournament. Burdick and Van Lith were part of the team that claimed gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, adding a layer of disappointment to the loss. Reflecting on the game, Burdick expressed her surprise at the outcome, admitting, "I didn't think it was going to be that ugly."
The U.S. women's 3x3 team had previously enjoyed significant success, winning the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. That victorious squad included Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsea Plum, and Jackie Young. With such a decorated history, the opening loss in Paris serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability in sports.
The men's team faced an equally formidable opponent in Serbia, the world’s top-ranked 3x3 team. The U.S. squad, comprising Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, took an early lead and held it for much of the first half. Yet, it was Serbia who ultimately triumphed with a robust 22-14 victory.
Serbia's pedigree is well-documented, having finished with a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and defeating the U.S. in a tight 21-19 final at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. For the U.S. men, their path to Paris was through a commendable second-place finish at that same World Cup.
Fredette, who has six seasons of NBA experience, remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. "It's a long tournament for us, and we're excited to get back at it tomorrow," he said, emphasizing the need to stay focused and resilient throughout the competition.
As the U.S. 3x3 teams regroup and strategize their path forward, the American basketball contingent still carries the weight of a storied legacy. The U.S. women's 5x5 team, featuring stars like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and the legendary Diana Taurasi, has not lost an Olympic game since 1992 and is vying for its eighth consecutive gold medal. Taurasi, competing in her sixth Olympic Games, symbolizes the enduring excellence of American women's basketball.
On the men’s side, the U.S. 5x5 team is also on a quest for gold, aiming for their fifth consecutive Olympic title. The quest for both 3x3 and 5x5 supremacy on the global stage speaks to the United States' deep basketball heritage and the high expectations placed on its athletes.
As the Paris Olympics continue, the journey for redemption and triumph remains open. The early setbacks faced by the U.S. 3x3 teams underscore the competitive nature of the sport and the critical importance of each game in the Olympic saga. With the determination and skill of their players, there remains hope that the U.S. teams will rise to meet the challenges ahead.