“All without Cam Brink” — College hoops fans react to Hailey Van Lith and the Team USA’s 3x3 winning bronze at 2024 Paris Olympics

Hailey Van Lith, along with Derica Hanby, Cierra Burdick and Rhyne Howard, won bronze on Monday at the 3x3 basketball games in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA came a long way from their 0-3 start, as they posted a five-game winning streak to secure their place in the semi-finals.

They lost their chance at winning gold after losing 18-16 to Spain in overtime. However, the USA made a comeback in the bronze game against Canada with a 16-13 win. Hailey Van Lith and her teammates are the only medaled 3x3 team after the men's team failed to make it through the group games.

Fans in the comments congratulated Team USA for their determined comeback and for achieving a medal without Cameron Brink. The LA Sparks forward missed the Olympics because of an ACL tear in June.

"All without cam brink way to go," wrote one fan.

Meanwhile, some fans claimed that the refs had taken away Team USA's chances of winning a gold after unfair calls in the semifinal against Spain.

"Refs clearly wanted to keep us as far away from the Gold medal podium as possible but at least we leave with a bronze," one fan commented.

Here are a few more fan reactions:

Fan reactions to Team USA winning bronze (Credit: Instagram/@usab3x3)

Hailey Van Lith explains why Team USA lost

One of the most obvious flaws in Team USA's campaign for the medal was the lack of playing time together. It was evident that they were struggling to find their synergy on the court, despite having prior experience in the game.

However, Hailey Van Lith, who has been a 3x3 player since 2018, claimed the format's structure makes it tough to win.

"I think the public doesn't quite get the sport yet," Van Lith said (via ESPN). "It's just a tough game. It's really gritty. It's for the tough people. You can't be soft and play."

She also added that 3x3 is not a popular format for professional players in America. This game is mostly played in the U-19 and U-21 levels with college players.

"We're playing against basically professional 3-on-3 players," Van Lith said. "America's really the only country that hasn't evolved to that. All these girls are playing, they get paid by their country to play 3-on-3 full-time. And in America, 5-on-5 is the culture. Like that's what we do. This is our side job.

"So they just have such strong chemistry and flow that we're almost trying to play catchup. But we're so talented that we can hang around when we're not quite there. But I think we're getting there right now."

Van Lith added that she was still proud of the win. She will now return to the USA to prepare for her final college season with the TCU Horned Frogs.

What did you think of Team USA's run in the 3x3 basketball games? Let us know in the comments section below.