On Tuesday, the United States men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams opened their 2024 Paris Olympics campaigns with disappointing losses. The women's team narrowly missed victory, falling 17-13 to Germany, while the men's team was decisively beaten 22-14 by Serbia.
Women’s Team Falters After Strong Start
The U.S. women's 3x3 team started their match against Germany with a promising 5-0 lead. However, the early momentum was not enough to secure a win. Germany staged a comeback and secured a 17-13 victory. Even with standout players like Dearica Hamby, who joined the team after Cameron Brink’s unfortunate ACL tear, and Hailey Van Lith, who plays college basketball, the U.S. team could not hold on to their lead. Cierra Burdick, contributing to both the recent World Cup and the current Olympic roster, insightfully remarked, "I didn't think it was going to be that ugly."
Despite the loss, this current roster carries a legacy of success. The U.S. women's 3x3 team clinched the gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with stars such as Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsea Plum, and Jackie Young. Additionally, Burdick and Van Lith were integral parts of the team that won gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
Men’s Team Struggles Against Top-Ranked Serbia
The U.S. men's 3x3 team had a challenging start as well, facing off against the world's top-ranked team, Serbia. Despite leading for much of the first half, they ultimately succumbed to a 22-14 defeat. The U.S. squad, featuring notable athletes such as former NBA player Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox, found Serbia’s prowess too formidable. Fredette, reflecting on the opening loss, maintained a positive outlook: "It's a long tournament for us, and we're excited to get back at it tomorrow."
Serbia’s dominance in 3x3 basketball is well-documented. The team not only holds the No. 1 world ranking but also finished with a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, they defeated the U.S. in the 2023 FIBA World Cup final with a close score of 21-19, securing their top position and earning their reputation as the team to beat.
Historical Context and Hopes for Redemption
The U.S. men's 3x3 team qualified for the Paris Olympics by finishing second in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Their quest for a gold medal continues, and hopes remain high despite the early setback. In contrast, the established dominance of the U.S. women's 5x5 basketball team, which has not lost an Olympic game since 1992 and is aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal, casts a formidable shadow of success.
The U.S. women's 5x5 team includes luminaries such as A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and the legendary Diana Taurasi, who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games. Their winning streak and seasoned roster underscore the high expectations resting on all U.S. basketball teams in the Olympics.
Similarly, the U.S. men's 5x5 basketball team is in pursuit of their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, adding another layer of aspiration and pressure to replicate past glories across all formats of the game.
As the tournament progresses, both the U.S. men's and women's 3x3 teams will no doubt look to rebound from their initial losses. With key players and a resilient spirit, the journey in Paris is just beginning, and redemption might be on the horizon.