Watch: Jimmer Fredette grimaces from groin injury as female medic attends to it at Team USA 3x3 basketball in Paris
Jimmer Fredette has been one of the biggest stories entering the Paris Olympics as he debuted for Team USA in a different basketball discipline, transitioning from the 5-on-5 game to the 3x3. However, Fredette suffered a setback in his quest for the Olympic gold medal.
Fredette suffered a groin injury with three minutes left in the game versus Poland. Banged up and hurt, Fredette and Team USA dropped to 0-2 to start their Olympic campaign. Sidelined temporarily, cameras caught Fredette grimacing in pain as he received medical attention.
Fredette was visibly in discomfort, putting pressure on his groin and thigh before he was taped up. Fredette returned to the game and even took the final shot, but it clanked off the rim and Poland walked away with a 19-17 win. Fredette reportedly went straight to the locker room and missed the post-game press conference to receive treatment.
Collectively, Team USA was ice-cold throughout the 3x3 game as they just made two of their 15 attempts from the two-point range. Fredette finished with three points without any two-pointers made.
After the injury, Poland took advantage of Jimmer Fredette in the pick-and-roll, hoping to create mismatches for easier looks at the basket. While Fredette fought hard, the Polish kept their composure and secured the win.
Team USA unfazed despite Jimmer Fredette's injury and 0-2 record in the Olympics
Despite going 0-2 in the Olympics so far, Team USA’s Kareem Maddox remained optimistic about their chances in the tournament. He told reporters:
"I don't think we're concerned. We just know we have some adjustments to make."
In addition to Jimmer Fredette’s injury, Maddox rued their cold shooting in the tournament as they also lost to Serbia in their opening game. Meanwhile, Canyon Barry hoped for better fortune next time:
"We're just not making shots," Barry said. "That's what it comes down to. We had a lot of good looks and they just didn't fall.”
Team USA is one of the two winless teams in the 3x3 tournament so far, along with Lithuania. They are now ranked last in the eight-team pool play. USA has almost zero room for error as only the top two teams will advance to the semifinal round later this week.
Eyeing to climb out of their slump, Team USA will face Lithuania in a battle of winless teams at 11 a.m. ET on August 1, before going against the current top seed, Latvia, at 5.05 p.m. on the same day.