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Jimmer Fredette, Men's USA 3x3 Basketball Lose to Poland: Updated Olympic Standings

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 31, 2024

Poland's #03 Michal Sokolowski (L) fights for the ball with US' #05 Jimmer Fredette (C) and US' #09 Kareem Maddox in the men's pool round 3x3 basketball game between the USA and Poland during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris on July 31, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP) (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

The United States' dominance in 5-on-5 men's basketball is not carrying over to the 3-on-3 format.

The U.S. was upset for a second straight game on Wednesday, losing 19-17 to Poland.

Former NBA guard Jimmer Fredette missed a two-point shot that would have tied the game at 19-19 with 20 seconds left. Fredette finished with just three points and uncharacteristically missed all four of his two-point shots (threes in a typical basketball game).

Adrian Bogucki was dominant inside for Poland, scoring a game-high seven points on 7-of-8 shooting. He also tied Przemyslaw Zamojski with a game-high five rebounds.

The U.S. is currently in last place and is one of just two winless teams in pool play thus far.

3x3 Basketball Standings

  1. France: 2-0 (42 Adj-Points)
  2. Latvia: 2-0 (42 Adj-Points)
  3. China: 1-1 (37 Adj-Points)
  4. Netherlands: 1-1 (33 Adj-Points)
  5. Poland: 1-1 (38 Adj-Points)
  6. Serbia (36 Adj-Points)
  7. Lithuania: 0-2 (34 Adj-Points)
  8. United States: 0-2 (31 Adj-Points)

The United States women have likewise struggled in 3-on-3 competition, dropping their first two games.

While neither the men nor the women are boasting top talent, they still looked to be favorites in a sport where the U.S. has dominated for decades. The United States men have failed to win gold just once since 1988, while the women have won gold in nine of the 12 Olympics to feature women's basketball.

Suffice it to say there will be work to do in the coming days to turn things around.