MIAMI — Jimmer Fredette knows what it feels like to win a USA Basketball 3×3 gold medal. He hopes it will be the first of many.
Fredette’s 2-pointer — beyond-the-arc shots can be worth in the 3-on-3 match — was the clinching shot in a 21-18 win against Puerto Rico in the title round of the FIBA 3×3 ameriCup.
Fredette stated, “It’s incredible.” It’s amazing to win gold against such strong competition. These guys are very good. They are good players. They work hard. We were up against some very good basketball teams. It was wonderful to win.
With nine points, Kareem Maddox was the U.S.’s title game leader with nine. Fredette and Canyon Barry, the MVP of the tournament who led the Americans in scoring, each scored five points. Dylan Travis scored two for U.S.
Guillermo Diaz (a Miami Hurricanes alum) was the Puerto Rico’s leading scorer with six points. He briefly played in the NBA in 2007-08 with the Los Angeles Clippers. In 3×3, baskets were worth one point while shots from beyond the arc were worth two. It lasts 10 minutes. The game ends when the time expires or when a player reaches 21.
Over the weekend, the U.S. was 5-0. The Americans have gone 2-for-2 to win gold in the men’s event at 3×3 AmeriCup. This comes after Barry and Maddox were part of the team that won the inaugural event.
Fredette said, “We found the way to win.” “That’s the way good teams work.”
Fredette played on five NBA teams and was named The Associated Press college player-of-the year in 2011. He also played in international games in Greece and China. With the 2024 Paris Olympics in his mind, Fredette gave 3×3 a shot and learned a lot about outdoor games.
Temporary courts were established for the tournament at the arena where the Miami Heat plays their home games. Although there is a roof covering most of the plaza, there aren’t any walls. Wind from Biscayne Bay can affect shots. Just before the men’s and women’s gold-medal games started, storm clouds moved in.
A brief downpour prevented the start of women’s gold-medal games — Canada won the title, beating Brazil — but the men’s titles were delayed by 20 minutes of rain coming in and wind blowing on the playing surface.
Fans fled for safety. Some of the court was covered with tarps. A dozen workers used towels, mops, and towels to soak up any moisture and get the game going again. The large scoreboard in the right corner of floor was darkened for a few seconds after the game resumed.
Fredette stated, “We had a bit of everything.”
In the end, he was rewarded with gold.
“Shooters shoot,” Fredette said. “That’s what i do.”
The bronze medal was won by the U.S. women at AmeriCup. They lost to eventual champion Canada 17-15, before beating Colombia 17-13 in third place. The Americans finished the tournament at 4-1.
Jennifer Rizzotti, U.S. Coach, said that the team performed much better than expected from the beginning of the tournament through the end. “Getting 3×3 experience it so valuable. It is great to be able to play in tournaments at a national level with new players.
The U.S. was represented by Nalyssa, Camille Zimmerman and Lexie Hull at the event.