VIENNA, Austria (June 4, 2023) – The USA women won the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup after besting France 16-12 to capture the U.S.’s third World title (first since 2014). The men fell to Serbia, 21-19, to earn the silver medal.
With the finishes, the USA earned two berths into the second FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, to be held in the first half of 2024 prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Putting on a defensive clinic in both the final and semifinal, the American women gave up a combined 24 points on the day. In the final, the USA allowed France to score just eight points through the 1:41 mark of the contest.
France shot 33.0% from the field, hitting 8-of-19 1-pointers but failing to hit one of their 12 attempts from 2-point range.
France got into foul trouble early, committing it’s seventh foul at the 6:04 mark, giving the U.S. two free throws on every subsequent foul. The USA capitalized and converted 9-of-11 shots from the charity stripe to go with seven 1-pointers.
The USA was led by seven points and six rebounds each from Cierra Burdick and Hailey Van Lith. Burdick, who along with Linnae Harper, has played 3x3 for more than a decade, earned her second World title after also being a member of the U.S.’s last gold medal team in 2014.
Newcomer Cameron Brink, in her first 3x3 tournament, was named 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup MVP. For the week, she averaged 4.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over eight contests while continually making her presence felt on both sides of the ball.
The American men lost in heartbreaking fashion to reigning and six-time World champion Serbia. The game kept a frenetic pace, reaching the final tally with 3:08 still showing on the clock.
The U.S. led 19-15 with 4:18 to play after a trio of 2-pointers from Jimmer Fredette, who had a game-high 10 points (2-3 1FG, 4-9 2FG).
From there, Serbia responded with two quick 2-pointers to even the score at 19. On the ensuing possession, Fredette missed a 1-pointer, but Kareem Maddox nabbed the offensive rebound to feed the ball back to Fredette from beyond the arc. Fredette’s 2-point attempt rolled on the rim before falling to Serbia for the rebound. Serbia scored on their next two possessions to secure the win.
Dylan Travis had five points and two rebounds, while Canyon Barry added four points and one board.
The World medal is the second for Barry and Maddox, who were members of the 2019 gold-medal-winning team.
The USA’s effort marked the second time in FIBA 3x3 World Cup history that one country secured two berths into the respective men’s and women’s finals (also France, 2012).
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