Why is Team USA Struggling in 3x3 Basketball? Insights into the 2024 Olympic Rosters After Losses by Men and Women

Why is Team USA Struggling in 3x3 Basketball? Insights into the 2024 Olympic Rosters After Losses by Men and Women

**The United States saw both the men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams lose their opening games of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday. This doesn't mean the journey to the podium is over, but it is important to note that U.S. fans should manage their expectations differently when it comes to 3x3 teams compared to the 5x5 squads — at least for now.**

The women's 3x3 team lost 17-13 to Germany, while the men fell 22-14 to Serbia.

Yes, the U.S. is considered the most dominant country in the world when it comes to talent in the NBA and WNBA. But the Olympics are a different ball game. The 3x3 format is very fast-paced, uses only half the court, lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, and only includes baskets that count for one or two points (no 3-pointers).

In addition, there are stipulations as to who can play for each 3x3 roster. Players accrue points by participating in sanctioned 3x3 events throughout the year, and those who have not participated are not allowed to be placed on the team, unlike with 5x5 rosters, where first-timers are eligible for any competition. These guidelines certainly led to tougher situations for USA Basketball in building these rosters, but longer-range planning and better promotion of the 3x3 game to top stars could have remedied them. Instead, we're left with the best basketball country in the world losing in both men's and women's 3x3 games on the same Olympic day.

**Here is a closer look at what is going on with each Team USA 3x3 roster:**

**Women's 3x3 Team:**

After their loss to Germany, Cierra Burdick admitted she "didn't think it was going to be that ugly."

The Americans had an early 5-0 lead, but the game quickly got away from them. Team chemistry could be a factor, which should be expected as they have only played together for about two weeks.

Things are much different for the women's 5x5 team, which has not lost a single game in the Olympics since 1992 and is currently chasing its eighth consecutive gold medal with a star-studded roster filled with experience. That group includes A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Team USA veteran Diana Taurasi, who is competing in her sixth Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, the 3x3 group only has two players currently in the WNBA: Dearica Hamby from the Los Angeles Sparks and Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream. Hamby replaced Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, who is out for the rest of the WNBA season due to a torn ACL.

Hailey Van Lith is still in college and Burdick, who hasn't been on a WNBA roster since 2021, plays in Spain for Valencia. Both were part of the team that won gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, and Burdick was also on the 2014 team. That experience is valuable, but it's not comparable to the amount of experience the 5x5 roster boasts.

The United States did win the women's 3x3 gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but that roster was completely different than the one in Paris. That group had Stefanie Dolson, Alisha Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young. They only lost one game in pool play on their way to gold.