Has any NBA player ever played 3x3 basketball at the Olympics? Closer look at event history
There is not a single NBA player who has ever participated in the 3x3 basketball at the Olympics for any country after playing in the American league. In fact, this will be the first time that the USA will take part in this particular event in the Olympics. The 3x3 basketball is a relatively new addition to the massive pool of competitions played at the world's most prestigious sports meet.
The 5x5 standard format has been a part of the Olympic games since the 1940s but the 3x3 format is fairly new. It was recognized as an official sport and added to the Olympics in 2021 during the Tokyo Olympics. The 2024 Paris Olympics will be the second time that the 3x3 format will be played on a grand International stage.
Latvia was the first-ever Olympic gold medalist in the event and was followed by the Russian Olympic Committee and Serbia as the silver and bronze medalists, respectively.
Although the U.S. men's basketball team failed to qualify for the event in the previous Olympics, it put forth a strong lineup for this year. This roster includes former NBA player Jimmer Fredette who played for the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans in his time in the NBA.
Team USA roster and schedule for the men's 3x3 Basketball event at the 2024 Paris Olympics
The USA has deployed a tried and tested lineup to compete in the 3x3 basketball at the Olympics. The prestigious international event demands the best of the best athletes to compete for national pride and honor and the USA didn't hold back.
Team USA Men's 3x3 Basketball roster
Canyon Barry, Kareem Maddox, Jimmer Fredette and Dylan Travis will represent the United States of America in the 3x3 format at the world's biggest sports meet.
This is the same lineup that has proved itself again and again at various International tournaments. They have won the Gold Medal in the 2023 Pan American Game and a Silver Medal in the 2023 World Cup.
Team USA Men's 3x3 Basketball Schedule
Team USA will play seven games before it can advance to the next round of the tournament. Here is a schedule for all the seven games for 3x3 Men's Basketball Team USA at the Olympics.
As they don the USA Jersey on Tuesday, the team led by Jimmer Fredette will have many eyes on them as their previous performances have shown great promise.