Paris 2024 3x3 basketball: Team USA breakdown, highlights, stats and top performers for 1 August
Both Team USA men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams took the floor at La Concorde on day six of the Games, searching for their first wins of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and fighting to make it out of pool play.
The women’s team opened a two-game slate on 1 August with a matchup against Australia, which they lost 17-15. Team USA shot the ball well, going 7-14 from one-point range and 4-8 from behind the arc, led by eight points from Rhyne Howard. However, they struggled to defend without fouling, racking up nine team fouls resulting in seven foul shots for Australia, who shot just 8-23 from the field. The Australians were led by eight points from Alex Wilson.
Facing Spain in their second game of the day, Team USA women’s team finally got into the win column by a final tally of 17-11. The hot shooting continued for the Americans, going 11-18 overall and 2-4 from deep, led by five points a piece from Howard and Hailey van Lith. Vega Gimeno was at the forefront for Spain with five points of her own.
The men’s team also opened the day six with a loss, falling to Lithuania by a final score of 20-18. They once again struggled shooting from beyond the arc, going just 1-13. Comparatively, Lithuania shot 4-10 from two-point range. Team USA was led by nine points from Canyon Barry, while Lithuania had Aurelijus Pukelis to thank for seven points. Jimmer Fredette did not suit up for the Americans.
Team USA men's played their best game of the tournament in the nightcap, putting up a valiant effort without Fredette and losing a heartbreaker against Tokyo 2020 gold medal winners, Latvia. Barry continued his strong offensive day, scoring 10 points and going 4-7 from two-point range. Dylan Travis made several big shots for the Americans but the group’s offense sputtered late as the Latvians overtook them. Nauris Miezis led the defending champions with 10 points. Team USA’s men remains winless at Paris 2024.
USA 3x3 men's basketball team takes to the court at Paris 2024
Game of the Day: Team USA women vs. Spain
The shots started falling for Team USA and a win finally followed, beating Spain 17-11. While the Americans shot an impressive 11-18 from the field, the game came down to the final moments. In fact, the United States scored the last seven points of the game to turn an 11-10 deficit into a victory. Cierra Burdick hit the go-ahead free throw with 47 seconds remaining followed by a Howard bucket to seal the win.
Cierra Burdick made the crucial play for Team USA to earn them the win against Spain of the tournament
Player of the Day: Rhyne Howard
After leading Team USA in scoring during both games on Thursday, the player of the day has to be Howard. The 24-year-old totaled 13 points on the day, including a critical shot late against Spain to extend the Americans’ one-point lead. This came after carrying Team USA’s offense in a close loss against Lithuania.
Rhyne Howard starred for Team USA against Spain
3x3 USA basketball results for 1 August
Team USA women’s loses vs. Australia, 17-15
Team USA men’s loses vs. Lithuania, 20-18
Team USA women’s wins vs. Spain, 17-11
Team USA men’s loses vs. Latvia, 21-19
USA 3x3 basketball schedule for 2 August
Team USA women’s vs. France
7:00 a.m. EST
Team USA women’s vs. Canada
12 p.m. EST
Team USA men’s vs. France
12:35 p.m. EST
Team USA men’s vs. People’s Republic of China
4:35 p.m. EST