The opening day of the 2024 Paris Olympics brought a rocky start for the United States in the 3x3 basketball discipline, with both the men's and women's teams facing early defeats. The U.S. women's team, boasting a roster that includes standout players like Dearica Hamby from the Los Angeles Sparks and Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream, was narrowly defeated by Germany, 17-13. This loss came despite an initial 5-0 lead, a testament to the fierce competitiveness of the international field.
The U.S. women's team had high hopes, especially with the addition of Dearica Hamby, who was brought in to replace Cameron Brink following her unfortunate torn ACL. Alongside Hamby, Hailey Van Lith, who currently plays college basketball, and Cierra Burdick, who plays for Valencia in Spain, are part of a squad that has tasted success on the global stage. Burdick and Van Lith were instrumental in securing gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. Reflecting on their opening performance, Burdick admitted, "I didn't think it was going to be that ugly," highlighting the team's surprise at the outcome.
The U.S. women's 3x3 team has a storied history, having won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a different set of players: Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsea Plum, and Jackie Young. The loss to Germany marks a challenging start to their campaign, but if history is any indication, they have the potential to rebound and strive for glory once more.
On the men's side, the U.S. experienced a tough opening match, falling 22-14 to the top-ranked team in the world, Serbia. The American team, composed of Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, fought hard but ultimately couldn't match the pace and precision of their opponents. Reflecting a determined attitude, Fredette said, "It's a long tournament for us, and we're excited to get back at it tomorrow."
Fredette, a former NBA player with six seasons under his belt, brings a wealth of experience to the team. The U.S. men's 3x3 team earned their spot in Paris by finishing second at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where they were edged out by Serbia in a close final, 21-19. Despite their strong start in the first half against Serbia in Paris, the American players couldn't maintain their lead, underscoring the caliber of competition in the tournament.
While the 3x3 teams face an uphill battle, the U.S. women's 5x5 basketball team stands as a beacon of consistency and excellence. Remarkably, they haven't lost an Olympic game since 1992 and are chasing their eighth consecutive gold medal. The roster, featuring luminaries such as A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi—who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games—demonstrates the depth and talent that has defined U.S. women's basketball for decades.
The U.S. men's 5x5 basketball team, equally ambitious, aims to capture their fifth consecutive gold medal. The legacy of U.S. basketball, both in the 3x3 and 5x5 formats, continues to be one of dominance and high expectations. As the tournament progresses, fans and players alike will be eager to see if the early setbacks in the 3x3 events can be turned into a story of resilience and triumph, reflecting the unyielding spirit of American sportsmanship.
As the U.S. teams regroup and prepare for the matches ahead, they carry with them the determination and hope to restore their standing on the Olympic podium. The coming days will tell if the grit and talent that have brought them this far will once again lead to glory on the world stage.