VIENNA, Austria (May 31, 2023) – The USA men opened pool play with a pair of wins over Latvia and Australia on Wednesday at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Men's World Cup in Vienna.
Jimmer Fredette, in his 3x3 World Cup debut, scored 11 points as he led the USA to a 21-17 advantage over Latvia to open the tournament. Fredette recorded his squad’s last five scores, capped by a 1-pointer with 39.5 seconds remaining. The winning bucket followed a five-minute delay due to a malfunction with the shot clock.
After giving up a Latvian 2-pointer, less than 10 seconds into the contest, the Americans got on the board shortly thereafter and saw steady contributions from everyone on both sides of the ball. The U.S. built a 19-14 cushion with an 8-2 run over 80 seconds (3:43 to 2:33), highlighted by a 2-pointer each from Fredette and Dylan Travis, also in his 3x3 World Cup debut. Travis closed with four points and three rebounds.
Fredette added four key assists, making or assisting on 10 of the U.S.’s 12 field goals.
Defensively, the U.S. forced seven turnovers and pressured Latvia into 18 attempts from deep though they made just four. Kareem Maddox was the USA’s leading rebounder with four, including three on offense, while adding four points and one block. Canyon Barry was good for two points, two rebounds, one block and the game’s only dunk.
Taking a 21-18 decision over Australia, Fredette once again led the team in scoring with eight points, including three 2-pointers.
After going down 12-9 near the game’s midpoint, the U.S. ticked off five quick points to go up 14-13 with 4:50 to play. The Americans took the lead for good when Barry hit the 16th point on a free throw with 3:45 remaining. The contest reached its final score on a Barry 1-point drive with 2:44 showing on the clock, making it the fastest game – 7:16 – of the men’s competition to that point.
Barry made his living at the free-throw line, connecting with his untraditional underhand shot in each of his four attempts. Maddox blocked a pair of shots and added three points and one rebound with Travis contributing four points, one rebound and four key assists.
The men conclude pool play on Friday with tilts against Slovenia at 1:20 p.m. ET and the host Austria at 3:20 p.m. ET. Should the U.S. qualify, the play-in round and quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday, June 3, followed by the semifinals and championship on Sunday, June 4.
Women's pool play continues Thursday, June 1 with the U.S. facing Mongolia at 5 a.m. ET followed by Czech Republic at 7:25 a.m. ET. on FIBA's 3x3 YouTube. For more information on the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, click here.