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3x3 basketball is a fast-paced variation of basketball played on a half-court with two teams of three players. The game was first introduced as an official Olympic sport at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. women's team of Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, Stefanie Dolson, and Jackie Young made history by winning the first-ever Olympic women's 3x3 title. 3x3 basketball will also be played at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First introduced as an official Olympic sport | 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan |
| First introduced as an official discipline | 2010, Youth Olympic Games in Singapore |
| First official Olympic debut | 2021, Tokyo Olympic Games |
| Number of players on each team | 3 |
| Number of players on the court at the start of the game | 3 |
| Number of substitutes allowed | 1 |
| Court dimensions | 15m (49 ft) wide x 11m (36 ft 1.07 in) long |
| Game format | Half-court with one basket |
| Number of points to win the game | 21 points |
| Maximum game duration | 10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
3x3 basketball rules
3x3 basketball, or 3-on-3 basketball, is a variation of basketball played three-a-side with one substitute player allowed on the bench. The game is played on a half-court with one basket, with both teams attacking and defending the same hoop depending on who has possession of the ball. The court measures 15 metres wide by 11 metres in length, with the playing area divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, drawn at a radius of 6.75 metres from the centre of the hoop. The area inside the arc is called the one-point zone, and the area outside the arc is called the two-point zone.
The game originated as a street basketball variation in the late 1980s in the United States, with rules starting to become standardised across the country in the late 2000s. 3x3 basketball made its global competitive debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010 and was added to the Olympic program for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.
Each team must have three players on the court when the game begins. The substitute can enter the game at any time during a dead ball situation by tagging an outgoing player. The ball used in a 3x3 game is the same weight as the official size 7 basketball but is a little smaller, measuring 72.39 cm in diameter. The smaller size facilitates better ball handling to suit the faster pace of the game.
A game can be won in two ways: be the first team to score 21 points, or have the highest score after 10 minutes. Teams can earn points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal can earn two points if scored from outside the arc or one point if scored from inside the arc. The shot clock in 3x3 basketball is 12 seconds, half of the 24 seconds allowed in regular basketball.
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3x3 in the Olympics
3x3 basketball was introduced as an official discipline in 2010 at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. However, it made its debut at the Olympics in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. The U.S. men's team failed to qualify, while the women's team of Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, Stefanie Dolson, and Jackie Young made history by winning the first-ever Olympic women's 3x3 title.
The 3x3 basketball format was also included in the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking its second straight appearance at the Olympic Games. The games took place from July 30 to August 5 at the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. The men's medal games were held on August 10, while the women's medal games were held on August 11. The Netherlands (men's) and Germany (women's) won gold medals in 3x3 basketball in Paris.
The rules of 3x3 basketball differ from those of the traditional 5-on-5 game. 3x3 basketball is played on a half-court (11 meters x 15 meters) with a single basket, while the 5-on-5 game is played on a full court (28 meters x 15 meters) with two baskets. The 3x3 game is won by either being the first team to score 21 points or having the highest score after 10 minutes of play. The ball used in 3x3 is the same weight (620 grams) as the one used in 5-on-5 international competitions but has a slightly smaller diameter (72.39 cm compared to 74.93 cm).
While 3x3 basketball has gained popularity, especially in Eastern European countries, some critics argue that the Olympic format needs improvement. They suggest eliminating the game clock and extending the point total or time to enhance the flow and make it more accessible to global audiences.
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The history of 3x3
3x3 basketball, a fast-paced variation of basketball played on a half-court with three players per team, has become a popular sport worldwide. Its roots can be traced back to street basketball, a less formal style of the game played in urban settings. The objective of 3x3 basketball is to be the first team to score 21 points or have the highest score after 10 minutes. The rules and structure of 3x3 basketball are governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which has helped to standardize the game globally.
Since its Olympic debut, 3x3 basketball has continued to gain traction, with the 2024 Paris Olympics featuring the sport for the second time. The Paris Games will showcase 3x3 basketball outdoors at the iconic Place de la Concorde, emphasizing the sport's urban roots. The U.S. men's team, notably absent from the Tokyo Olympics, will aim for their first 3x3 medal in Paris.
Beyond the Olympics, 3x3 basketball has been embraced by various organizations. The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) introduced the "Dew NBA 3X" summer tournament series in 2016, providing a platform for local amateur players to compete and advance to the USA Basketball national 3x3 championship. Additionally, in 2017, entertainer Ice Cube and executive Jeff Kwatinetz founded BIG3, a traveling league featuring former NBA and U.S. college basketball stars competing under modified rules and utilizing a unique ball.
The growth of 3x3 basketball has been a strategic focus for FIBA, recognizing its potential to promote the sport globally, especially among youngsters. FIBA has developed a digital community that tracks FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events worldwide and ranks players based on their performance at these events. This structured yet accessible format has contributed to the increasing popularity of 3x3 basketball, solidifying its place in the world of basketball.
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3x3 tournaments
3x3 basketball, also known as three-ex-three, is a variation of basketball played on a half-court with three players per team. The game was added to the Olympic program for the first time in Tokyo in 2021, with the U.S. men's team failing to qualify and the women's team winning the first-ever Olympic title in the sport. The format has also been adopted for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 3x3 format has been used in several tournaments, including the Spokane Hoopfest and the Nike 3ON3 Tournament. The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has also embraced 3x3, holding a summer series of tournaments known as "Dew NBA 3X" since 2016. These tournaments feature local amateur players competing in regional events for cash prizes and the chance to advance to the USA Basketball national 3x3 championship, where they could potentially represent their country internationally.
The NBA 3X tournaments also include live music performances, 3-point shooting contests for fans, an NBA 2K eSports competition, and appearances from current NBA players. In addition to the NBA 3X tournaments, the NBA has also partnered with entertainer Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz to create BIG3, a travelling league featuring former NBA and US college basketball stars competing under rules slightly different from the FIBA rulebook.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann has described 3x3 as a great way to promote basketball worldwide, inspire future players, and teach key educational and social values to youngsters. To that end, FIBA has developed a digital community that acts as a repository for all FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events worldwide and offers individual world rankings based on points earned at these events. Any event can become FIBA-endorsed by using FIBA's freeware, EventMaker, to organise it.
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3x3 at the 2024 Paris Olympics
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played three-a-side, with one backboard and in a half-court setup. The rules depart from those of full-court basketball in several ways. Each team consists of three players and one substitute, with three players on the court at the beginning of the game. The game is played on a half-court with one basket. The official court is 15 metres (49 ft) wide by 11 metres (36 ft 1.07 in) in length. The 3-point line in conventional basketball serves as the 2-point line in 3x3 basketball. Games can be won in two ways: be the first team to score 21 points or have the highest score through 10 minutes.
The 3x3 format has been used in several tournaments, and in 2010, it was introduced as an official discipline for the first time at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. 3x3 basketball was added to the Olympic program for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, where the U.S. men's team failed to qualify, and the women's team of Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, Stefanie Dolson, and Jackie Young won the first-ever Olympic women's 3x3 title.
The 3x3 basketball games at the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from July 30 to August 5 at the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. The Place de la Concorde will host four sports: 3x3 basketball, skateboarding, BMX freestyle, and breaking. The U.S. men's team will feature NBA veteran and former BYU star Jimmer Fredette, who led all players in scoring with 59 points at the 2023 World Cup. The women's team will include Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard, both of whom are current WNBA players.
The inclusion of 3x3 basketball in the 2024 Paris Olympics is part of the organizers' commitment to holding events outside of traditional stadiums, in the heart of the capital. The urban setting of the Place de la Concorde is intended to showcase the sport in its original playground: the city centre.
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Frequently asked questions
3x3 basketball has been played informally for many years, but the rules started to become standardized in the late 2000s. It was introduced as an official Olympic sport in 2020, but its debut was delayed until the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with one basket, with two teams of three players each. Games can be won by either being the first team to score 21 points or having the highest score after 10 minutes. The 3-point line in conventional basketball is the 2-point line in 3x3.
The sport's governing body, FIBA, has been promoting and structuring 3x3 basketball. They run an annual FIBA 3x3 World Tour, which includes a series of Masters and a Final tournament, with six-figure prize money.
