Four former college basketball players have been selected by the USA Basketball Committee to compete for the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on the men’s 3×3 basketball squad.
Hailing from BYU, Florida, Princeton, and Florida Southern, these players bring a wealth of experience and determination. Led by head coach Joe Lewandowski, a veteran of the USA 3×3 program, the team aims to clinch gold after their silver finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Let’s take a look at each player and their college pedigree.
Canyon Barry
Son of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry, Canyon Barry made his mark in college basketball before transitioning to the U.S. 3×3 basketball program. He spent three seasons at the College of Charleston (2013-16), where he developed a strong foundation, averaging 12.3 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game.
Canyon then transferred to Florida (2016-17) as a graduate student in nuclear engineering. At Florida, he emerged as a pivotal sixth man, clinching the SEC Sixth Man of the Year award and setting a program record with 42 consecutive free throws made.
Following college, Barry played professionally in Finland and the Czech Republic before joining the U.S. 3×3 basketball team in 2019. His accolades include gold at the 2019 Amsterdam World Cup, silver at the 2023 Vienna World Cup, and gold at the 2023 Chile Pan American Games.
Jimmer Fredette
A household name in college basketball, Jimmer Fredette dazzled during his tenure at BYU, especially in his standout senior season. He captured national attention by winning the Naismith College Player of the Year honors and becoming the nation’s leading scorer with an impressive 28.9 points per game. “Jimmermania” became a phenomenon in Provo as Fredette guided the Cougars to an unforgettable run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2011.
Over his four years at BYU, Fredette posted career averages of 18.7 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, and 2.6 rebounds per game while also nailing 296 career 3-pointers.
His professional career included stints with several NBA teams: the Kings, Bulls, Pelicans, Knicks, and Suns. In the NBA, Fredette maintained average stats of 6.0 points per game, an 87.9% free-throw percentage, and a 37.2% 3-point shooting percentage.
Kareem Maddox
Kareem Maddox brought defensive prowess during his collegiate career at Princeton, culminating in his senior year with the 2011 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year award. Over four years, he compiled impressive career stats, averaging 7.9 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game, along with 108 career blocks.
Post-college, Maddox’s talent took him overseas, where he played for Landstede Hammers in the Netherlands and Newcastle Eagles in the UK. After a stint with Miasto Szkla Krosno in Poland, he took a break from basketball to explore a career in podcast production. Returning to the sport, Maddox earned gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.
Dylan Travis
Dylan Travis showcased his basketball talents across multiple college levels before becoming an integral part of the 3×3 basketball scene. He started his collegiate journey in the NAIA at Midland University (2012-13), advanced to the NJCAA at Iowa Central Community College (2013-14), and eventually moved to Division II (DII) at Florida Southern (2014-16). The 6-foot-3 guard left a lasting mark at Florida Southern, notably leading the team to the 2015 NCAA DII men’s basketball championship with 18 points and a 77-62 victory over Indiana (Pa.).
Travis excelled during his time at Florida Southern, posting career averages of 15.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game, with an 81.6% free-throw percentage. His professional career saw him ply his trade overseas in Germany and Australia.
Final Thoughts
From the hardwood of college basketball to the global stage, these four former NCAA athletes now have their sights set on Olympic gold. With their diverse experiences and proven abilities, they are poised to make a significant impact in the 2024 Paris Games.
If you want to add some adrenaline-pumping basketball action to your Olympic viewing, be sure to find a reputable basketball betting site and place your bets on the U.S. 3×3 Olympic team.
With their intense training, competitive spirit, and determination to bring home the gold, there’s no doubt that this team will make an unforgettable mark in Olympic history.
