Team USA’s 3×3 Basketball Team Kicks Off Olympic Journey with Tough Loss to Serbia

The U.S. men’s 3×3 basketball team started their chase for Olympic gold on Tuesday but faced a setback with a 22-14 loss to Serbia.

Despite the disappointment, it’s important to remember that this loss doesn’t mean Team USA is out of the running just yet, as Serbia is currently the top-ranked men’s 3×3 team in the world.

After the game, Fredette shared his thoughts with NBC’s Mike Tirico, saying, “They shot the ball great tonight. It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow.”

The U.S. squad had been in the lead for much of the first half but lost their edge due to some sloppy shooting and unnecessary fouls.

Fredette admitted that the team “didn’t play super well” but expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back. He mentioned that the quick nature of 3×3 basketball makes it easier to recover from a single loss.

“You just keep moving since one game doesn’t lose the tournament,” he said. During the broadcast, Tirico and other commentators praised Fredette’s prior accomplishments at BYU, in the NBA, and on an international level.

Fredette, reflecting on the transition to 3×3 basketball, mentioned that he needed about six months to fully adjust after playing traditional 5×5 basketball for so long. He expressed his enthusiasm about introducing others to the sport.

In their match against Serbia, the team struggled particularly with defending against easy 1-point shots. Fredette explained, “A lot of times when teams are shooting 1s that’s kind of what we want. But they were taking easy 1s and making all of them.”

Fredette contributed 4 of the U.S. team’s 14 points during the game. Looking ahead, the U.S. men’s 3×3 basketball team will play again on Wednesday at 2:35 p.m. MDT, with the match airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Thirteen years after “JimmerMania” took the basketball world by storm, Fredette has made a significant return, now as a key player for Team USA’s 3×3 team. His journey to this point wasn’t straightforward as he navigated through various leagues worldwide.

COVID-19 restrictions prevented Fredette from returning to play in China for the Shanghai Sharks, leading him to accept an invitation from U.S. coach Fran Fraschilla to join the 3×3 team.

Since then, Fredette has emerged as the team’s star, winning gold at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup and earning silver at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where the only loss was to Serbia in the gold medal match.

His legacy began in 2009-10 during his junior year at BYU when he lit up the scoreboard, averaging over 22 points per game. After returning for his senior year, he gained national attention, captivating fans with high-scoring games and an eventual unanimous selection as the national player of the year in 2011.

Drafted No. 10 in 2011, Fredette struggled for consistent playing time in the NBA, leading to a journey that included stints in Chicago, New Orleans, and New York, not to mention impressive seasons overseas.