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Canyon Barry hits two game-winners during massive day in Olympics 3x3 basketball

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•08/02/24•

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Canyon Barry
© Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

Canyon Barry isn’t ready to head home yet. On Friday, the USA Basketball 3×3 Men’s National Team standout nailed a last-minute dagger to boost the US to a 21-17 win over China. The team is now 2-4 after also defeating France earlier on Friday.

Barry and his fellow Americans defeated both teams on Friday without Jimmer Fredette, who was sidelined with a leg injury. Barry was the US’s leading scorer in both victories, scoring a combined 29 of the team’s 42 points.

For reference, shots inside the arc are worth one point while shots beyond the arc are worth two points in the event. The US will take on Belgium on Aug. 5 in its final pool-play game before the play-in games begin.

Before turning heads at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Canyon Barry played basketball for three seasons at Charleston. He transferred to Florida for his final collegiate campaign and averaged 11.9 points per game for the Gators.

After playing for the Iowa Wolves — the Minnesota Timberwolves’ G League affiliate — from 2018-22, Barry pursued 3×3 basketball full-time. In 2023, Barry played on the USA’s 3×3 basketball team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, earning a second-place finish in a loss to Serbia.

Jimmer Fredette breaks down 3×3 basketball

On Tuesday, Fredette opened up on the differences between 3×3 basketball and traditional 5×5 basketball.

“It’s definitely different,” Fredette said. “Obviously, the pace is a lot faster, more physical, rules are just a little bit different. That 12-second shot clock is quick and there’s no help side defense in 3×3, so you got to stick to your man a little bit different than what they teach you in five-on-five.

“Just a lot of things that took me about six months to probably get fully acclimated to and get used to. But tonight, obviously, we just didn’t play super well and sometimes that happens in these tournaments. They’re quick games. That’s what happens but you just keep moving and one game doesn’t lose the tournament.”

Fredette didn’t begin playing 3×3 basketball professionally until 2022. He made his debut at the 2022 Red Bull USA Basketball 3X East Regional and boosted team NYC Blue to win the event. Later that year, Fredette was named to the USA Men’s 2022 3×3 AmeriCup team.

Since then, Fredette has been a significant proponent of the sport. He hopes others will grow interested as well during the Olympics, even if there is a learning curve.