The United States has always been king and queen of men’s and women’s basketball in the Olympics. But it is a different story when it comes to the 3×3 competition in Paris.
While Team USA got bronze in the women’s 3×3 event, Jimmer Fredette and the US’s 3×3 squad crashed out of gold medal contention after a 21-6 loss at the hands of the Netherlands in the pool round.
Fredette was not able to play against the Netherlands due to a serious injury he suffered during a previous game against Poland.
Many have asked the question about why the United States didn’t send a group of NBA players to the 3×3 event as they do for the men’s basketball tournament.
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN personality and NBA insider Brian Windhorst said that he believes FIBA simply likes it that way in order to give other countries that don’t qualify for the regular tournaments a chance to shine in Olympic basketball.
“FIBA doesn’t really want the US to do good at 3-on-3. They really want that to be for countries that can’t field 5-on-5 teams… Like Kyrie [Irving] can’t just show up and play.”
"FIBA doesn't really want the USA to do good at three on three basketball" ~ @WindhorstESPN
WE KNEW IT WINDY #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bZfPUxNZQf
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 5, 2024
It would be such a smash hit for 3×3 basketball if guys like Kyrie Irving and other NBA players whose styles of play fit the 3×3 event were sent to the Olympics as Team USA representatives.
The next Olympics in 2028 will be in Los Angeles, so perhaps Team USA will eventually have bigger names on their 3×3 men’s team.
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