U.S. 3x3 Basketball Teams Suffer Opening Game Setbacks at Paris 2024 Olympics
On Tuesday, both the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams faced tough losses in their opening matches of the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a challenging start to their campaign for Olympic glory.
In the women's competition, the U.S. team, who had initially taken a 5-0 lead, ultimately fell to Germany with a score of 17-13. Despite their strong beginning, the team couldn't maintain their momentum and succumbed to a well-executed comeback by the Germans. The team's roster includes stars like Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard, with Hamby notably joining the squad after Cameron Brink's unfortunate ACL tear. Hamby, who shines for the Los Angeles Sparks, and Howard, a key player for the Atlanta Dream, were unable to steer the match in the U.S.'s favor.
Germany's victory against the American women underscores the competitive nature of the tournament. Reflecting on the defeat, Cierra Burdick, who plays for Valencia in Spain and was part of the gold-winning team at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, expressed her surprise: "I didn't think it was going to be that ugly."
Hailey Van Lith, still pursuing her college basketball career, also plays a crucial role in the team. Both she and Burdick were instrumental in the team that clinched gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. The U.S. women were expected to perform strongly, especially given their gold medal success in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Tokyo roster, which included Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsea Plum, and Jackie Young, set high standards that this new lineup aims to meet and exceed in Paris.
On the men's side, the U.S. team experienced a tough defeat as well, losing 22-14 to Serbia, who holds the title of the world's No. 1 team in men’s 3x3 basketball. The American men, consisting of Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, found themselves struggling against a Serbian team that had previously secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and narrowly defeated the U.S. in the 2023 FIBA World Cup final with a score of 21-19.
The U.S. men's team had managed to lead for much of the first half against Serbia before the latter took control. Jimmer Fredette, a former NBA player with six seasons under his belt, remains optimistic about the tournament's future. "It's a long tournament for us, and we're excited to get back at it tomorrow," said Fredette. The team qualified for the Paris Olympics by finishing second in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, showcasing their potential to be a strong contender for a podium finish despite this initial setback.
Looking back at past achievements, the U.S. women's 5x5 basketball team has not lost an Olympic game since 1992 and is striving to secure their eighth consecutive gold medal. This year's roster features prominent figures like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, with Taurasi making her sixth Olympic appearance - a testament to her enduring excellence and leadership in the sport.
The U.S. men's 5x5 basketball team also has high aspirations, aiming for their fifth consecutive gold medal. Their consistent performance in previous Olympics sets a strong precedent for their Paris campaign.
Despite the early losses in the 3x3 format, the American teams retain a fighting spirit. The history of triumph in both men’s and women’s basketball at the Olympics fuels their drive to overcome these initial hurdles. As the tournament progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these teams leverage their experience and talent to bounce back and strive for Olympic success.