What are the rules of Olympics 3x3 Basketball?

The 3x3 basketball event is back for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics after making its debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The event will host eight qualified nations competing for the gold medal at La Concorde in France.

What are the rules of 3x3 Olympic Basketball?

Unlike conventional basketball with five players on both teams, the 3x3 event will be played on half of a basketball court and will feature three players from the two participating nations' teams going head-to-head. The teams will attack and defend the same hoop, depending on which team has possession of the ball.

The game begins with a coin toss, and the winner chooses to start as either the defensive or offensive team. Possession switches between the teams after every made basket. The defensive team can also win possession via a steal, block, defensive rebound or turnover committed by the offensive team in case of violations.

Unlike 5x5 basketball, the 3-point line serves as the two-point line in 3x3 basketball. Baskets made from inside the line will count for one point, and shots made from beyond the arc will earn two points. Moreover, once a player takes control of the ball inside the two-point line, they need to clear the ball by dribbling it out or passing it to a teammate outside the arc before they can attempt a shot.

There is a shot clock in the 3x3 event, too, but unlike conventional basketball with 24 seconds on the clock, the 3x3 event allows just 12 seconds. There's also only one substitute allowed on the bench in this event. They can enter the game anytime during a dead-ball situation by tagging an outgoing player.

The teams win the game by either being the first to reach 21 points or by having the highest total in 10 minutes of playtime.

Team USA roster and schedule for 2024 Paris Olympics 3x3 basketball event

Both men's and women's USA 3x3 basketball teams will play seven games each in the pool stage, which will determine if they will advance to the semifinal rounds.

Men's 3x3 basketball event

The USA men's roster for the event features Canyon Barry, Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox and Dylan Travis. They will be coached by Joe Lewandowski (Head Coach) and James Fraschilla (Assistant Coach).

Here is Team USA's complete schedule for the men’s 3x3 basketball event:

Opponent	Date	Time (ET)
Serbia	July 30	4:35 p.m.
Poland	July 31	4:35 p.m.
Lithuania	August 1	1:05 p.m.
Latvia	August 1	5:05 p.m.
France	August 2	12:35 p.m.
China	August 2	4:35 p.m.
Netherlands	August 4	1:05 p.m.

Women's 3x3 basketball event

The USA women's roster for the 3x3 basketball event features Cierra Burdick, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard and Hailey Van Lith. They will be coached by Jennifer Rizzotti (Head Coach) and Tammi Reiss (Assistant Coach). Cameron Brink was previously listed on the team and was replaced by Hamby after she suffered an ACL tear in June.

Here is Team USA's complete schedule for the women’s 3x3 basketball event:

Opponent	Date	Time (ET)
Germany	July 30	11:30 a.m.
Azerbaijan	July 31	3:30 p.m.
Australia	August 1	7:00 a.m.
Spain	August 1	3:30 p.m.
France	August 2	7:00 a.m.
Canada	August 2	12:00 p.m.
China	August 3	1:05 p.m.