Top reasons to watch 3x3 at Paris Olympics

PARIS (France) - After years of anticipation, 3x3 will return to the Olympics and set to steal the show at Paris 2024. 

Let's look at the main reasons to watch. 

The Olympics is the greatest show on earth!

Well, duh! It's the Olympics aka 'the greatest show on earth' and only comes around every four years - three in this instance. 

All eyes during this two-week sports spectacle will be focused on the deeds in Paris with heroes celebrated forever, while those who fall short will unfortunately be haunted for a long time. 

3x3 is still a new game - it was only officially unleashed in 2010. It has quickly gained traction around the world and built a devoted following, but there are still some who have never seen the most spectacular urban sport aptly dubbed the '10-minute sprint'. 

With the massive reach and gravitas of the Olympics, 3x3 will be beamed to households all over the world and surely gain a legion of new fans. 

 

The sequel will be better than the original

Tokyo was a memorable Olympic debut for 3x3. But it felt just a little bit hollow with fans not allowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This dynamic urban sport has the most electric atmosphere imaginable, with non-stop entertainment ensuring spectators have the time of their lives.

The febrile surroundings will be experienced in Paris, where the noise will be heard miles away from the venue while also blasting off the tv and into your living room. 

The fast-paced game is a microcosm of the social media age, with its sheer speed and non-stop source of content. 

It's part of a New Gen in sports, mixing entertainment and competition, and it's popularity is about to blow up amid surreal scenes of packed bleachers in Paris. 

3x3's venue at La Concorde is totally lit 

3x3 will be played in arguably the most stunning venue at Paris 2024.

The half-court will be front and center at La Concorde, an iconic major public square in the heart of Paris. The venue can hold more than 5000 people and will be the ideal setting to showcase 3x3's amazing atmosphere.

3x3 will fittingly share the venue with other urban sports - skateboarding, cycling BMX freestyle and breaking. 

 

The three top men's players are fighting for the crown 

Strahinja Stojacic, Jimmer Fredette and Worthy de Jong are the top three players in the rankings. And the eye test backs that up with the trio battling it out for supremacy. 

Stojacic has held the crown after a couple of unbelievable seasons propelled him to the GOAT, but Fredette and de Jong have bagged MVPs on this season's World Tour to make big statements. 

They are coming for 'Dr Strange' and the title of best player alive might be resolved in Paris. 

 

Serbia out to complete their crown

Serbia have been the standard of 3x3 from basically day one, already boasting numerous 3x3 legends. And when they've joined forces, Serbia have been almost unbeatable. 

They've won a zillion titles, but are missing an elusive prize - Olympic gold. Serbia had to settle for bronze in Tokyo and they've gone up a level ever since being unbeaten in major events. 

If Serbia take out gold in Paris then they'll be akin to USA in basketball or the New Zealand All Blacks in rugby as a transcendent team in their sport. 

 

Lasmanis-Miezis aim for double delight

There are only two gold medalists journeying to Paris. That's these Latvian legends who remain hungry and are desperate to defend their gold medal. 

The superheroes put the cape on in Tokyo with Lasmanis hitting the gold medal winning two, while Miezis was clutch as usual all tournament long. 

Lasmanis and Miezis, 3x3's greatest duo, are ready to add another chapter to their Olympic legacies. 

 

Team USA are always box office 

USA are out to defend their women's gold medal. It's a new line-up, but the talent is brimming to capacity with phenom Hailey Van Lith combining with OG Cierra Burdick and WNBA stars Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard.

It's little wonder the Americans are gold medal favorites. 

The hoops power will be hoping for a gold medal sweep with the men's team making their Olympic debut. This is the best men's squad they've ever assembled, with the team doubling as Miami powering to the No.1 world ranking. 

It's a team built for gold with superstar Fredette joined by 3x3 vets Kareem Maddox and Canyon Barry, while Dylan Travis can do a bit of everything.

 

The crowd will be deafening when France are in action

The crowd will be at fever pitch every time France takes the half-court. And the home fans have good reason to feel giddy because both their men's and women's teams are medal contenders. 

The Frenchwomen are former World Cup champs and led by Laetita Guapo, who goes up a gear every time she plays on home soil .

The Frenchmen also relish the big stage, especially Franck Seguela who might have a statue built in his honor after the Olympics. 

It will be something special watching France play and the surreal surroundings might just lift them to great heights. 

 

Lili Wang is back on the big stage 

She's back! And right in time with Chinese megastar Lili Wang making a successful recent return from a major knee injury suffered late last year. 

Lili Wang was one of the very best players in Tokyo, finishing joint leading scorer to lead China to bronze and in the process she became a national hero. 

The speedy Wang plays her best when the stakes are raised as she eyes lifting China to an even deeper run in Paris. 

 

Azerbaijan are 3x3's fairytale in Paris

When 3x3 was being envisioned, FIBA hoped this shorter and faster version of basketball could spread into non-traditional hoops terrain. 

And that's exactly what has happened with Azerbaijan, a relatively new nation of 10 million, producing a fairytale when their women's team qualified for the Olympics. 

But they aren't merely content with making up the numbers as Azerbaijan continues to put their nation on the 3x3 map. And another giant-killing run would make them one of the greatest sports stories in their country's brief history. 

 

Diversity

FIBA has a major commitment to gender equality, with 3x3 at the forefront. 

There are 8 men's and 8 women's teams journeying to Paris, while the referees are also split equally between genders. 

The Olympics represent another opportunity to watch the best men's and women's 3x3 teams competing concurrently at a major event.

FIBA