Olympic gold is normal for USA Basketball fans. USA women have had 8 gold medals, a silver, and bronze since the Olympic sport’s 1976 introduction. On the men’s side, they’ve won 15 gold in 18 Olympics, dating back to 1936. In 2021, the Olympic basketball scene looks a little different with the debut of the 3×3 tournament. Now, the United States have their eyes on another gold medal in basketball, this time led by a team of four athletes from the WNBA.
So far, in the Olympics, U.S. women have dominated. Similar to their performance in the 3×3 Olympic qualifying tournament, they’ve had a strong group stage. On the team are Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson, Dallas Wings guard Allisha Gray, and a pair of Las Vegas Aces guards in Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. Young joined the team after a positive COVID-19 test from qualifying team member Katie Lou Samuelson of the Seattle Storm.
Game Results
In the first three matches of the group round, the United States faced little competition. The Americans won by an average point differential of 10 points versus France, Mongolia, and Romania.
The second half of the group has been more of a test for the red, white, and blue. After being down for much of the game against the Russian Olympic Committee, Gray brought the team back to life with a chase down block, followed by two more blocks and 9 total rebounds.
Against China, the United States were on the ropes until the final shot. With the game tied at 19, with just 40 seconds to go, Young set a screen, and Plum sunk the game-winning shot from the top of the key, winning 21-19.
America’s 3×3 squad qualified for Wednesday’s semi-final before their seventh, and final, group stage game, against Japan. The United States had a hiccup against the host nation’s team, losing 20-18. That loss came after the USA was up 5-0 to start the game. Even with the loss, the USA’s 6-1 record secured them the top seed in the tournament, giving America a spot in the semi-finals.
Knockout Games
Now, the USA is only two wins away from the first gold medal in 3×3 basketball history. They’ll face France, who won a close game against Japan 16-14. In their previous matchup, the United States won 17-10 on top of a seven-point performance by Dolson.
If the United States makes the final, they’ll face either China or the Russian Olympic Committee. The USA won both contests, but they were close victories. In the other Tuesday quarterfinal, China made easy work of Italy, winning 19-13.
What is 3×3?
The concept of three-on-three basketball isn’t new to kids growing up in gym class or playing at the park; but it wasn’t until 2007 that the sport received rules by FIBA, the International Basketball Federation. It’s a fast-paced, half-court, game where teams have 10 minutes to score the most points or the first to reach 21.
For people with a low attention span, 3×3 basketball is perfect. There is no walking the basketball up and down the court. After a team scores, or the ball changes possession, its run back to the arc to start all over. When the ball changes possession, like in a steal or rebound, the ball moves back past the arc and it’s ok to shoot again.
Scoring is different than in the WNBA. Shots from beyond the arc are worth two, with every bucket within it counting for one. There are free throws, awarded on fouls in the motion of shooting. Also, two shots are awarded to the opposition after six team fouls. The last important thing is the shot clock. Like the court itself, it’s cut in half, so teams have 12 seconds to score.
With the time change, the semi-final for the United States will be early on Wednesday, July 28, at 4:00 a.m. ET. If the United States makes it to the gold medal game, that game starts at slightly more manageable 8:55 a.m. EST; also on Wednesday.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, WNBA, NWSL, and more. Follow Thomas Costello on Twitter at @1ThomasCostello.
