3x3 power USA out for redemption on Olympic debut

COLORADO (USA) - After the shock of missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, hoops powerhouse USA are determined to make amends at Paris 2024. 

Let's take a closer look at the reigning World Cup silver medalists. 

USA

Ranking: 2nd

Previous Olympic Appearances: Nil

Squad: Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry 

Key Player: Jimmer Fredette

The former NBA player and college phenom will soon live out a childhood dream and represent mighty Team USA at the Olympics.

With the carrot of Paris 2024 dangling, Fredette jumped at the chance to play 3x3 and it turns out he's perfectly suited to the half-court.

With two-pointers worth double, the sharpshooter Fredette's value is through the roof and he's already established himself as the GOAT from long range. 

He goes all 'Himmer' Fredette in the clutch with the 35-year-old having gone up a level in 2024 - the year he has long circled. He has already won two MVPs on the World Tour to lead Miami (USA) to the No.1 world ranking. 

All eyes will be on Fredette in Paris as 'Jimmer Mania' follows his every move and it's pressure he will embrace as his dreams come true.  

Qualification: USA qualified as one of the top-ranked teams, so they didn't have to go through qualification that upended their Tokyo Olympic dreams three years ago. 

Featuring Kareem Maddox and former NBA player Robbie Hummel, the red-white and blue were stunned by the Netherlands and the unthinkable happened - Team USA missed the Olympics. 

USA Basketball decided to form a dedicated team to build consistency and chemistry that could match rivals.

Fredette committed to 3x3 and has combined with Maddox, Canyon Barry - the son of NBA legend Rick Barry - and Dylan Travis to form Miami on the World Tour. 

It's been a major success with Miami ascending to the No.1 world ranking, while the same group has doubled as Team USA and they've finished runner-up at last year's World Cup on the back of winning the AmeriCup 2022. 

Expectations: As is the case whenever Team USA plays ball, the expectation will be to win gold. And this is certainly realistic with USA having never assembled such a talented and cohesive squad before. 

It's a well constructed line-up with Fredette's outside shooting prowess perfectly complementing Maddox's domination down low.

Maddox and Barry, both part of USA's World Cup 2019 triumph, bring a lot of experience to the team while Travis is seen as the glue guy who can also be a scoring machine if needed. 

It all means that USA will be contending for gold that this hoops power believes belongs to them. 

FIBA