The Olympic Games are debuting a new event: Men’s and Women’s 3×3 Basketball. The event which consists of three players on the court and one alternative will be played officially at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics for the first time.
“USA Basketball is very proud to announce the first U.S. Olympic 3×3 Basketball Team,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO per USA Basketball. “These four players not only are outstanding athletes, but they will be excellent representatives for our country in this new Olympic discipline.”
Now, how is this game played? The rules for this new game per USA Basketball are as follows:
“3×3 is played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock and a 10-minute game clock. Shots inside the arc are worth one point, and baskets outside the arc are worth two points. The winner is the first team to 21 points or the team in the lead at the end of regulation. In case of a tied score at the end of regulation, the winner is the first team to score two points in overtime.”
Each team consists of four players, three on the court and one substitute per team. No coaches are allowed during games.
The preliminary round for the 3×3 games will be played through July 24-27. The quarterfinals are on July 27, and the semifinals and finals will be played on July 28.
Meet the official members of the USA Men’s and Women’s Basketball 3×3 Team:
