UConn star Paige Bueckers cheers for Team USA 3x3 hooper Rhyne Howard's awe-worthy winning shot against Canada
UConn star Paige Bueckers echoed every American's excitement as Rhyne Howard called game against Canada on Friday in their Pool game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Canada gained an early 4-1 lead behind Team USA's three consecutive fouls. However, Howard's free throw helped ignite the offense as Canada's next lead came near the game's end at 14-12.
Nevertheless, Howard turned the fate of the game in OT after responding to Katherine Plouffe's bucket with an ISO side step buzzer-beater 3, sparking a thrilling reaction from Bueckers on X/Twitter:
"Yeaaaaaa Rhy!!!! Let’s gooooo @usab3x3," Bueckers wrote on X.
The USA dropped to the worst record in Pool play by opening the Olympics on three back-to-back losses. However, they mounted a dominating 17-11 win over Pool leaders Spain on Aug. 1 before defeating France and Canada yesterday.
With that, Team USA women's 3x3 basketball team seemed to find its groove and join the top four teams in the group. They will play China next on Saturday in a must-win game to maintain their medal contention.
After the final seeding, the two Play-In games will also take place on Saturday while the semi-finals, third-place and gold medal games are slated for Aug. 5. Team USA currently trails Germany (5-1), Australia (4-2) and Spain (4-2) in the standings.
With Germany's ticket solidified for the semifinals, the next path for Team USA depends on the results of Spain and Australia's games. They will face Germany and France, respectively.
Paige Bueckers set to enter 3x3 basketball
In a one-of-a-kind NIL deal, Paige Bueckers is now part of the new generation of NCAA stars that will add to the success of the freshly formed Unrivaled Basketball.
The UConn Huskies guard became the first NCAA player to join the 3x3 league, which is founded by former Huskies and current WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The league's inaugural season is set to take place in January 2025 in Miami. It will feature at least 10 women's basketball stars, including Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper.
Bueckers will take part in the league alongside her quest for an elusive NCAA title in her final collegiate year in Storrs. The event will likely remain a staple part of her offseason once she enters the WNBA. A few of the reported perks of the Unrivaled Basketball league include ownership equity in the league and a six-figure paycheck.