PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – 3×3 basketball made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, and while the women of Team USA came home with a gold medal, the men didn’t qualify for the games.
With the Paris Olympics approaching, the men of Team USA 3×3 basketball are hoping to come home with gold.
Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox, Canyon Barry and Dylan Travis will represent Team USA on the 3×3 basketball court in Paris.
“It’s a responsibility that we take seriously, you know, to put the USA on the chest, any time we want to be able to go out there and be able to win that’s expected in basketball,” said Jimmer Fredette.
3×3 basketball is fundamentally the same as 5-on-5 basketball, but with a few changes.
“It’s just a much quicker pace,” Fredette said. “You’re playing half court and it’s 12 second shot clock, you’re playing 10 minute games or first to 21. It goes by one’s and two’s and it’s continuous play.”
Said Kareem Maddox: “I think it’s more geared towards more versatile players, people who are more dynamic. They can … dribble pass and shoot, right? Everyone has to be able to do all those things pretty well, but there’s not much space for a specialist.”
In addition to doing everything well, they also have to gel as a team.
“So those guys are like brothers to me,” Canyon Barry said. “We’re family. We’ve been through so much together, and to be able to achieve our Olympic dreams together as a unit, I think, is going to make it that much more special.”
They all are looking forward to continuing this journey together.
“I’m excited for that Opening Ceremony,” Dylan Travis said. “I think that’s going to be unbelievable coming out on the boats. To be a part of the Paris Olympics is obviously a dream come true.”
3×3 basketball competitions begin July 30.