Before new TCU Women’s Basketball guard Hailey Van Lith will join the Horned Frogs for the 2024-25 season, she’ll be in Paris, France for the 2024 Summer Olympics, competing for USA Basketball 3×3 women’s national team. On Wednesday, the 3×3 team roster was officially announced and the future Frog made the team, along with LA Sparks forward Cameron Brink, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, and former Tennessee Volunteers forward Cierra Burdick.
Team USA qualified for the Paris Olympics by finishing in the top 3 in the world rankings during the qualification period. Van Lith has competed for Team USA in 3×3 basketball competitions since 2018, leading the Americans in scoring during the squad’s 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup gold medal run, including a game-best 7 points and 6 rebounds in the Finals win over France. She has also earned gold medals for the United States in the 2018 Youth Olympics, 2018 U17 FIBA World Cup, the 2019 FIBA U18 World Cup, the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.
3×3 Basketball is played on a half court and in the style of a street pick up game, with less structure than traditional 5×5 basketball, meant to reward creativity and teamwork. Shots from outside the arc are worth two points and inside shots are worth one; the winner is decided by the first team to 21 points or the team with the most points at the end of ten minutes. 2024 will be just the second Olympics to feature 3×3 basketball; Team USA won the Women’s 3×3 gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), defeating Russia in the finals.
The 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony will be Friday, July 26 in Paris, France. Women’s 3×3 Basketball opens pool play on Tuesday July 30 at the La Concorde urban park in Paris, which will also be the site of BMX Freestyle Cycling, Breakdancing, and Skateboarding. The Women’s medal matches will be Monday August 5th.
Van Lith will be joined in Paris by fellow Horned Frogs Tania Moreno & Daniela Alvarez who will be competing for Team Spain in Women’s Beach Volleyball.