BASKETBALL fans were furious after the US women’s bid to retain Olympic gold in 3×3 basketball came to an end.
It has been a difficult Olympics for the women’s 3×3 team, who went 4-3 in the group stage, finishing third behind Germany and Spain.
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The USA had the opportunity to start again in the quarterfinals, eliminating China 21-13, setting up a semi-final against Spain.
However, the title defense would not be for the USA, who lost 18-16 in a controversial game on Monday.
This will be a huge disappointment for the USA, whose roster includes two members of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad – Hailey Van Lith and Cierra Burdick.
Cameron Brink was also tabbed to return before suffering a torn ACL while playing for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks in June.
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Fans were furious with the refereeing in Paris, flocking to X to share their frustration.
“The referees in this 3×3 USA vs Spain game are absolutely fake,” said one fan, adding: “The referees are giving their all against the US team.”
“The worst decisions. They gave it as a gift to Spain,” said a second.
“Very bad foul during the USA x Spain 3×3 game”, added another.
While a fourth reiterated: “US 3×3 women have been scammed!”
Not everything is lost for the women’s team, however, the bronze medal is still up for grabs.
There they will face the loser of the other semi-final between Canada and Germany at 3pm (Brasília time).
As for the men’s team, the Olympics ended before they really started, with 2 to 5 in the group, failing to qualify for the round of 16.
On Sunday, former NBA star Jimmer Fredette, who switched to 3×3 basketball in 2022, revealed why he had missed the USA’s last five games.
“I had an injury that occurred in the opening minutes of our second game against Poland,” he said in Instagram.
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“I completely tore two different ligaments in my adductor, which prevented me from competing.
“This will take me about 6 months to recover.
“This is devastating for me because I spent two years qualifying for the Olympics with this group of my brothers.”
Fredette thanked the team’s staff, adding that he “firmly believes that everything happens for a reason.”
He ended his post by noting that he believes “everything happens for a reason.”
“I’m sorry to all the fans who supported me and our team, as I wish it had been different. But thank you for your support and love,” Fredette later concluded.
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