On Tuesday, the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams had a rocky start to their 2024 Paris Olympic campaigns, facing defeats in their opening matches. The women’s team fell to Germany 17-13, while the men’s team succumbed to Serbia, the top-ranked team in the world, with a 22-14 loss.
Women's Match: Early Lead Slips Away
The U.S. women's 3x3 basketball team initially showcased strong momentum, jumping to a solid 5-0 lead against Germany. However, their fortunes fluctuated as Germany mounted a comeback to ultimately secure the victory. The loss for the U.S. team came despite the valiant efforts of players such as Dearica Hamby, who replaced Cameron Brink following a torn ACL, and Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream. Cierra Burdick, currently playing for Valencia in Spain, and Hailey Van Lith, still in college basketball, also contributed to the squad.
Burdick and Van Lith had previously helped lead the team to a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, and the U.S. women’s team had stood atop the podium with gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reflecting on the loss, Cierra Burdick expressed her surprise at the outcome, stating, "I didn't think it was going to be that ugly."
Men's Match: Losing Grip in the Second Half
On the men’s side, the U.S. team composed of Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, held a strong position during much of the first half against Serbia. However, the American squad could not maintain the pace as Serbia, which clinched a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and had defeated the U.S. in the 2023 FIBA World Cup final with a close 21-19 score, asserted their dominance to finish 22-14.
Jimmer Fredette, a former NBA player who had six seasons in the league, emphasized the team's eagerness to bounce back, saying, "It's a long tournament for us, and we're excited to get back at it tomorrow."
The men's team's path to the Olympics had been secured through their second-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Despite the loss, the experience and skill of the team members bring hope for better performances in the upcoming matches.
Legacy of Success
The U.S. women's 3x3 team has a notable legacy, having captured the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The roster for the 2020 victory included standout players Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsea Plum, and Jackie Young. This history of success creates high expectations, and while the initial loss is a setback, the experience within the team could still guide them to success as the tournament progresses.
On the other hand, the men's team faces a similar uphill battle. With Serbia established as the world's No. 1, the challenge was always going to be significant. However, the blend of veteran presence like Fredette and the unique talents of Travis, Barry, and Maddox means the U.S. team possesses the potential to recalibrate and compete fiercely in the subsequent games.
Looking Beyond 3x3
Parallel to the 3x3 teams, the U.S. women's 5x5 basketball team continues to epitomize dominance on the Olympic stage. Remarkably, they have not suffered an Olympic game loss since 1992 and are on a quest for their eighth consecutive gold medal. Their star-studded roster includes A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and the veteran Diana Taurasi, who is making her sixth appearance at the Olympic Games.
The U.S. men's 5x5 basketball team is similarly aiming for their fifth consecutive gold medal, underscoring a tradition of excellence in both formats of the game. This overarching success casts a shadow that motivates the 3x3 teams to strive for greater achievements and maintain the nation’s strong reputation in basketball.
Despite the rough start, both the U.S. men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams have ample opportunity to adjust and advance further in the tournament. As the games continue, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see how these teams respond to adversity and harness their collective skills and experiences to pursue Olympic glory once again.