It may be one of the youngest squads in a global cagefest, but USA Basketball’s Women’s 3X3 team isn’t backing down to no one.
The Americans made it known that they all mean business in their trip to Manila, running roughshod over their opponents in the group stages to book a seat in the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup quarterfinals, Monday at the Philippine Arena.
What makes the United States’ achievement even more impressive is the way it formalized its entry into the playoffs – it took down the defending Women’s 3×3 Basketball Champion Russia via a large margin, 22-13.
“I’m really proud with how far we’ve come,” said Sabrina Ionescu, who led USA with 11 points in the win.
“And being able to represent the United Staes of America is truly an honor.”
Many would definitely be proud with what the team has achieved so far in the tilt. According to FIBA records, none of the USA players were born before 1996. Their youngest member is Ruthy Hebard, who was born in 1998.
But with the way the quartet have strutted their stuff in the halfcourt game, youth is definitely not an issue. The same goes with chemistry, as all four of them are teammates in the famed University of Oregon Ducks program.
“Being teammates really helped us with our chemistry,” said the 20-year-old Erin Boley, the team’s forward. “We know each other really well on and off the court.
“It helps us know the strengths and weaknesses of each other.”
Expectations for Team USA have always been high in whichever tournament they take part in, as they have established themselves as a world power in basketball. But the women’s 3X3 only has their focus on themselves.
“I think we have internal expectations for ourselves. I don’t think we really focus on any external expectations,” said Ionescu.
“So I think we’re focusing on what we can do better and continue to get better each day as a unit and individually.”
