The USA 3×3 Basketball has enjoyed several great triumphs this year. While the men’s team overcame a four-year world tour title drought this year, the women’s team won back-to-back honors. Interestingly, while the lineup of the women’s team constantly changed, the coaching hat behind them remained constant. 

USA Women’s 3×3 Basketball coach Jennifer Rizzotti recently won the 2023 Coach of the Year award. While this is really great news in itself, a social media post pointed to something bigger. In fact, this is her fourth big fish of 2023 after helping the US women claim their third gold medal within just eight months.

The grand exploits of the USA 3×3 Basketball coach of the year

USA 3×3 Basketball proudly unveiled the fruits of the labor of decorated coach Jennifer Rizzotti via a tweet on its official X account. The tweet carried the caption, “@JenRizzotti went 3-for-3 in the span of 8 months, leading USA Women’s 3×3 teams to gold medals at the World Cup, Pan American Games & 3×3 AmeriCup #USABAwards.”

Jennifer Rizotti enabled the US women’s 3×3 Basketball team to conquer three grand international championships with her impeccable guidance and determination. The prestigious award in the men’s category was given to a coach and compatriot, Joe Lewandowski. Jennifer Rizzotti’s latest exploit came at the FIBA AmeriCup, where the national teams of countries in the Western hemisphere compete every four years. 

Prior to coaching the national 3×3 Basketball team, Rizzotti had coached NCAA teams. Her mettle was tested when she was given the responsibility of the USA’s U-18 team. Passing the test with flying colors, the U-18 squad won three world championships under her. While she was acing the full-court game, she was later made the head of the 3×3 format. This was a new experience for Rizzotti, who also spoke to Olympics.com about it.

The transition from full-court to the half-court for Rizzotti

Speaking about 3×3 Basketball, Rizotti said, “Sometimes it feels like a completely different sport. The way that you prepare, the way that you coach, how little control you have as a coach. I always really loved the preparation of five on five, so it kind of fits that preparation and the scouting.” While Rizotti misses the five-player format, she also revealed what she liked about the 3×3 Basketball format. 

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She added, “Trying to have your team feel like they’re accountable for their own success is what 3×3 is all about, so I actually love it in that regard.” The US women’s team had won the inaugural 3×3 contest at the Olympics back in 2021 in Tokyo. With Rizzotti at the helm now, the American side looks even stronger than before. Will the 2023 3×3 Basketball coach of the year be able to bring the gold medal for America in Paris?

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