Hailey Van Lith on Bronze Medal at 2024 Paris Olympics: 'You just feel so proud'

Hailey Van Lith and the USA Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team took home a Bronze Medal to cap off the week in Paris.

The United States beat Canada 16-13 for the bronze behind Van Luth, Dearica Hamby, Cierra Burdick and Rhyne Howard. It came after the US fell short to Spain in the semifinals.

But in the end, Van Lith and the Americans pulled it together to go home with hardware.

“This game was about mental toughness,” Van Lith said. “Both of us [Cananda] had lost the games before it, so we knew we just had to come out tough. That’s all we were talking about. It comes down to who is going to be mentally tough enough to play for the fouls.”

In a close game, despite the differences of 3×3 basketball, Van Lith broke it down simply.

“We just tried to take advantage of them playing physical. We tried to spread them out and not let them deny us the ball. We just tried to play it in our favor,” Van Lith said.

Immense national pride aside, Van Lith was excited to play in this version of basketball again in 2028, should Team USA invite her back.

“Winning a medal for your country just makes you super proud,” Van Lith. “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 one [Olympics], I’ll be back.”

Going to TCU for her final season of basketball, Van Lith knew she had plenty of support going back home.

“That’s what I am talking about, that support,” Van Lith said. “It just really means the world to me. My teammates were even texting me every day, and the coaching staff. So I’m going to go give that school all that I have for my last year of college basketball.”

Van Lith joined Team USA after playing for LSU last season. She played a key role in the Tigers reaching the Elite 8, before they were eliminated by Iowa. Van Lith then transferred to TCU this offseason. She has an impressive resume that includes being named All-ACC twice during her time at Louisville.

All four members of Team USA can now also add bronze medal winners to their resume. The United States was hoping to earn a gold medal, but winning any medal at all is still quite an accomplishment, particularly when you factor in the slow start for US.