Hailey Van Lith and the Team USA 3x3 women's basketball team will depart from Paris as Olympic medalists, having overcome a challenging 0-3 start at the 2024 Games.
They clinched the bronze medal by defeating Canada on Monday. Van Lith spearheaded the American victory with six points on 5-of-7 shooting in their 16-13 triumph over the Canadians. The team rallied from a 12-9 deficit in the final three minutes, concluding the game with a decisive 7-1 run.
Van Lith emerged as Team USA's leading scorer in the tournament, amassing 47 points in total, which placed her eighth in the overall 3x3 competition rankings.
"Winning a medal for your country just makes you super proud," Van Lith said after beating Canada . "Even after the game, I got super emotional. There just aren't enough words. You just feel so proud. You're just so thankful for your family and friends and everyone who cheered and supported you.
"If they will have me again at the next [Olympics], I'll be back."
Team USA suffered defeats in their first three group stage games against Germany, Azerbaijan, and Australia, but then secured five consecutive victories to reach the semifinals.
In the semifinal, the Americans were narrowly defeated by Spain with a score of 18-16 in overtime, missing the opportunity to compete for the gold medal against Germany. However, they triumphed over Canada to claim a medal in Paris.
"Not the medal we wanted, obviously, but I don't want to take away from the moment," Cierra Burdick said after the bronze medal match . "A lot of gratitude. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears were invested into this. That's so cliché, but it's so true."
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