The USA might have shown up late to the party (as Cierra Burdick put it) regarding 3×3 basketball. However, they did win the first gold medal ever awarded at the 202o Tokyo Olympic Games. Beginning the defense of their Olympic 3×3 basketball title, Team USA will play their first game against Germany in the pool play round. While none of the players from Tokyo have returned this time, the team doesn’t lack experience in this format. Despite 3 WNBA players on the roster, NCAA star Hailey Van Lith will be one to keep an eye on.

This year’s 3×3 action between the USA and Germany will take center stage in the heart of Paris at La Concorde Square on July 30 at 5:30 p.m. local time. So, let’s break down the details of the upcoming fireworks.

Injury updates for the USA and Germany

Team USA will be represented by WNBA’s Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Cierra Burdick, and NCAA’s Hailey Van Lith. Initially, it was LA Sparks’ rookie Cameron Brink instead of Hamby. However, Brink’s season-ending ACL injury in the regular season sidelined her for this one too. Fortunately, there aren’t any further injuries on either roster.

Team Germany’s 3×3 Olympics roster includes Svenja Brunckhorst, who has proved to be a key player for their team. Having experience of competing at various international competitions, Brunckhorst has grown into a leader and elite playmaker.

Next in line is Sonja Greinacher, who tasted success at a very young age when she won the U16 German Championship title in 2007. Center Marie Reichert participated in the 2017 U16 European Championship and was a member of the 2019 U19 World Cup in Thailand. And last but not least, we have Elisa Mevius on the roster.

Prediction

While the new roster doesn’t have any experience at the Olympic level, Burdick and Van Lith are the veterans in the 3×3 realm as Burdick has been competing in the sport all around the world for more than a decade whereas Van Lith has been competing at the 3×3 level since the age of 15. On the other hand, Hamby has already played on the 3×3 team at the AmeriCup, where she made a tie-breaking shot and became the tournament MVP, leading Team USA to a gold medal.

During the last Olympics, Team USA put out a 6-1 record in the pool play as it slid past Russia and France for its first gold. Whether it’s the Olympics, World Cup, Pan American Games, AmeriCup, or Youth Olympic Games, the team has won gold in every international tournament at least once. On the other hand, Team Germany is one step behind Team USA as it has yet to win gold at the international level.

Besides, Team USA leads the Global rankings with Germany trailing far behind at No. 19. So, it is going to be a tough game for Germany, but the USA too can’t take their first opponent that lightly.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.