The United States made its season debut on the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series this weekend in Orleans, France. Represented by two teams – USA and USA U24 – the USA quartet of Blake Dietrick, Linnae Harper, Breanna Richardson and Camille Zimmerman finished second to Spain in the Orléans Stop final.
Though USA had effectively cruised to the final, they were outmatched by Spain in the end, falling 17-14 in a game that was not without its exciting moments.
Spain seemed to have control of the game and led 11-7 with 4:15 to play. USA remained poised, however, and tied the game at 12 at the 1:33 mark following three consecutive 1-point scores from Richardson. On the ensuing play, Spain answered with a Juana Cuccaro 2-pointer and went on to score five of the last seven points until time expired.
Richardson, who was an offensive powerhouse through the weekend, led all scorers in the final with six points. She was the competition’s leading scorer with 33 points in five games.
Meeting an undefeated France, who won the Clermont-Ferrand Stop two weeks ago, in the semifinal, USA put together its fourth commanding win. Though France had more success against USA than previous opponents, the red, white and blue still came away with the 20-14 win.
The game was tied at 3 at the 8:49 mark before USA steadily built a lead that it took for good on a Harper 2-pointer 22 seconds later. France never got closer than two points and USA helped solidify the victory with a 6-1 spurt to take a 15-6 advantage with just over four minutes to play. French foul trouble also helped USA’s cause as the team converted on 10-of-11 attempts from the line, including five points each from Richardson and Zimmerman. Richardson led all scorers with eight points.
USA earned a trio of dominating wins to reach its semifinal match against France. In three contests, USA gave up a total of 21 points, while hitting the magic number of 21 in every game and winning each in well less than the allotted 10-minute game time.
Opening Pool C play Friday against Azerbaijan, USA took a 21-7 decision in 6:06 led by Zimmerman’s six points (3-3 1FG, 1-2 2FG, 1-1 FT), four rebounds two key assists. Her teammates added five points apiece as the team hit 11 of its 14 attempts in 1-point range.
The second game was much like the first with USA besting Sc. Yuanda (China) 21-6 in just over seven minutes. Zimmerman and Richardson combined for 12 points, with six each, and added seven boards apiece. USA got it done without hitting a single 2-pointer (0-2) or free throw. All 21 points came on 34 1-point attempts. Defensively, USA held Sc. Yuanda to five 1-pointers and a free throw, while effectively defending the 2-point line (0-9 2FG).
Saturday’s quarterfinal featured the USA and Italy, also making its 2023 Women’s Series debut. Staying on trend, USA was efficient on both sides of the ball, connecting on 11 1-pointers, hitting a weekend-best three 2-pointers and four free throws. Richardson was once again in the lead scoring role with eight points and four rebounds. Harper, who recently won the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup gold medal, contributed seven points, helped by a pair of 2s.
For the first time in its Women’s Series history, USA Basketball earned the right to have two teams on the circuit, with one entry featuring athletes 24-and-younger. USA U24 was 1-2 on the weekend and finished 10th.
Both teams will be back in action next weekend at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Poitiers stop, scheduled June 27-28 live on YouTube.com/FIBA3x3.