Can NBA players participate in Olympic 3×3 Basketball? USA headlines teams qualified for Paris 2024 | Sporting News

One of the Olympic Games’ youngest sports will return for just the second time ever in Paris – 3×3 basketball. 

A stripped-down version of one of the world’s most popular sports, this event will see some of the world’s premier players on both the men’s and women’s sides attend the Olympics in search of glory. 

While the women’s side is full of WNBA star power, bigger names are notably absent so far from the men’s tournament, so are NBA players able to take part in the event?

MORE: USA Olympics basketball roster – Latest updates, rumors for 2024 squad

Can NBA players play Olympic 3×3 Basketball?

Despite the NBA being the world’s most elite basketball league, players from the competition are notably absent from the 2024 Olympic rosters. 

While NBA players are not prohibited from competing in the 3×3 Olympic event, they are required to amass ‘ranking points’ earnt through playing FIBA-approved 3×3 tournaments such as World Cups and stops on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour. 

As a result, NBA players are unable to commit their time to these events, leading to the nations filling their teams with specialized 3×3 players. 

For example, the USA men’s team for the 2024 Paris Olympics features Jimmer Fredette, Dylan Travis, Kareem Maddox, and Canyon Barry, with Fredette being the only member with NBA experience, having played 241 games across six seasons after being drafted No. 10 overall in 2011. 

This differs for the women’s side, with select WNBA players more willing to compete in the lead-up 3×3 events, resulting in names including Rhyne Howard suiting up for the Paris tournament.

When is the Olympic 3×3 Basketball?

The 3×3 Basketball at the Paris Olympics begins on Thursday, July 30, and concludes on Monday, August 5. 

The tournament will be played at La Concorde 1, the precint that will also host the BMX freestyle, breaking, and skateboarding events.

Which teams have qualified for Olympic 3×3 Basketball?

Eight teams have qualified in both the men’s and women’s 3×3 Basketball for the Paris Olympics. 

The USA, China, and France are the only nations to see both their men’s and women’s team qualify. 

Women’s qualifiers (by seed)

1. China
2. USA
3. France
4. Germany
5. Canada
6. Spain
7. Azerbaijan
8. Australia

Men’s qualifiers (by seed)

1. Serbia
2. USA
3. Lithuania
4. China
5. Netherlands
6. France
7. Latvia
8. Poland