PARIS – Only last week, Hailey Van Lith, TCU’s star transfer and the only college player on any of Team USA’s four basketball teams, called the prospects of playing 3×3 basketball in the Olympics the “ultimate experience.”
Then the rainy opening ceremonies left her feeling ill, though not as sick as she felt after losing (three of their first three or four games).
One right under the nose of Kevin Durant.
Not so ultimate.
“I want to win,” Van Lith said after a 17-15 loss Thursday to Australia, “and I won’t be happy until we win.”
Photos: Warm Paris afternoon sees USA, and TCU transfer Hailey van Lith, fall to 0-3 in women’s 3×3 basketball pool play at 2024 Summer Olympics
The team was set to play Spain Thursday at 2:30 p.m., and a loss would eliminate the U.S. from pool play. It would be a long, humbling descent from Tokyo, where a U.S. team made up of four WNBA players won gold in the sport’s Olympic debut.
Here, the American roster is only half-WNBA, but the expectations are no less.
“We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard,” said the Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard, “and compete like we want to win gold.”
Considering the Americans are dead last a little more than halfway through pool play, gold looks out of the question. Only the top six of the eight teams advance. The top two automatically qualify for the semifinals with three through six competing for the final two semis.
Van Lith, who transferred from LSU after a disappointing season at point guard for Kim Mulkey, has had her ups and downs here. (Though she’s the U.S.’ second-leading scorer, she’s shooting just 38% from the field).
The Americans will need upgrades across the board to make this Olympic experience last.
“We’re gonna have to play tough and get on a roll here,” Van Lith said, “but we still have a chance.”
Find more Olympics coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
