From full court to half court: players embrace the rise of 3×3 basketball

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The gym at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center is filled with basketball players from across the country this week, but they’re not preparing for the traditional five-on-five game.

Instead, athletes are sharpening their skills in 3x3 basketball, the half-court version of the sport that has exploded in popularity internationally and continues to gain momentum in the United States.

Throughout the week, USA Basketball is hosting established 3x3 teams alongside a group of developmental players hoping to earn future opportunities on the national team circuit. For some, it’s a familiar environment. For others, it’s an entirely new challenge.

While the game may feature the same ball and basket, players say 3x3 basketball demands a different approach than its five-on-five counterpart.

“It’s really fast. It’s a lot faster than you think, especially because it’s half court,” said player Max Murrell.

Former NBA and G League standout Briante Weber quickly noticed the pace as well.

“It is fast. It ain’t going to take long for the game,” Weber said. “You look up and it’s game over. The pace is real.”

Beyond the speed, players say the physicality of the game can catch newcomers off guard.

“It’s a lot more physical than five-on-five,” said Malik Hluchoweckyj. “They allow a lot more pushes and shoves, and people are trying to seal you in the post. You’ve got to be able to do multiple things on the court."

The camp features a wide range of experience levels.

Hluchoweckyj is one of the more seasoned 3x3 competitors in attendance, having spent more than four years competing on the tour.

“I really just fell in love with the game and got addicted to trying to be a good player on the tour, getting to national team events and doing stuff like that,” he said.

Weber, meanwhile, is still adapting to the format after building his career primarily in five-on-five basketball with stops in the NBA, G-League and overseas.

“Getting in shape is numero uno,” Weber said when asked about his focus this week. “Health. And then to see how this goes and continue to build and turn this thing into a Jenga block and just keep stacking bricks.”

Whether players have years of 3x3 experience or are just beginning their journey, the motivation remains the same: the chance to represent the United States.

“Obviously, when I put the USA jersey on, if I get the chance to, I want to make the country proud and win some gold,” Hluchoweckyj said.

Murrell added, “Right now I’m treating this as kind of the main thing. After this week, we’ll kind of go from here.”

For Weber, the format could also offer a way to continue competing at a high level as his career evolves.

“I could play this,” he said. “I’m 33 now. I’m not a young buck. I need to be in a half court a little bit more.”

As 3x3 basketball continues to grow in the United States, camps like this one provide a pathway for athletes looking to extend their careers, compete internationally and potentially wear Team USA across their chest on the world stage.

The camp features other professional 3x3 teams from overseas as well as domestically. Competition begins Monday and goes through July 31.