Both Team USA men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams took the floor at La Concorde, in the heart of Paris, on day seven of Olympic Games Paris 2024. The men’s team entered play still searching for their first win of the tournament while the women’s team looked to build momentum after finally getting in the win column at Paris 2024 with a victory over Spain on Thursday.
Team USA women’s squad did just that, defeating France by a final score of 14-13 in their first game of the day. The game came down to the final moments as Dearica Hamby hit a game-winning shot with four seconds remaining to give the Americans a one-point victory. Hamby, Cierra Burdick and Hailey van Lith all finished with four points. Laetitia Guapo led France with five points.
Appearing to hit their stride as a unit, the women’s team won a third consecutive game, beating Canada 18-17 in overtime. Team USA trailed by two late when van Lith hit a clutch two-pointer to force overtime. Canada scored the first basket of extra time before Rhyne Howard hit a stepback, fadeaway two-pointer from the right corner to secure the victory for the Americans. Howard led Team USA with seven points, along with five from van Lith. Katherine Plouffe led Canada with 10 points.
Team USA men followed suit in their first game of day seven, securing their first win of Paris 2024 with a 21-19 victory over France. This group closed day six shooting the ball extremely well from outside and this carried over into this matchup with France, going 5-11 from two-point range. Canyon Barry was sensational, scoring the last seven points for Team USA who were once again without Jimmer Fredette. Barry finished with 15 points and the French team was led by Franck Seguela with seven points.
They would then cap off a perfect day for both American teams with a 21-17 win over the People’s Republic of China. Barry continued to cook, scoring 14 more points including three two-pointers. Kareem Maddox tacked on four points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Hailey van Lith of Team USA drives withe the ball against French defender Myriam Djekoundade during their Women's 3x3 Basketball Pool Round match on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on 2 August 2024 in Paris, France.
Game of the Day: Team USA women vs Canada
All of a sudden, after a rough start to the tournament, the USA women’s team is on a three-game winning streak following a clutch victory over Canada. From the outset, this was a heavily contested matchup with neither team leading by more than three points. Both sides were able to generate open looks to start but defenses bunkered down as the game rolled on. But as the defense improved, so did the shotmaking. Michelle Plouffe hit a pivotal two-pointer to give Canada the lead before van Lith responded with a long ball of her own to force overtime. Eventually, Howard’s fading two-pointer was the deciding shot in favor of the Americans.
Rhyne Howard the United States is defended by Hortense Limouzin of France (left) during the Women's 3x3 Basketball Pool Round match on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on 2 August 2024 in Paris, France.
Player of the Day: Canyon Barry
Entering Friday, Team USA men was winless at Paris 2024, and Barry decided to almost single-handedly put an end to the losing streak. The 30-year-old was unstoppable against France, scoring 15 of the Americans’ 21 points, including seven straight to seal the victory and going 4-7 from two-point range overall. He followed up this performance by scoring 14 points in Team USA’s win over the People’s Republic of China, totaling 29 points on the day.
Canyon Barry and Jimmer Fredette of the USA at Olympic Games Paris 2024.
3x3 USA basketball results for 2 August
Team USA women beats France, 14-13
Team USA women beats Canada, 18-17 (OT)
Team USA men beats France, 21-19
Team USA men beats People’s Republic of China, 21-17
Upcoming USA 3x3 basketball schedule
Team USA women will take the floor against the People’s Republic of China on Saturday 3 August at 1:05 p.m. EST.
Team USA men will play the Netherlands on Sunday 4 August at 1:05 p.m. EST.