Team USA has announced the replacement for Cameron Brink on its 3×3 women’s basketball team.
No, it’s not Caitlin Clark. It’s Dearica Hamby from the Los Angeles Sparks.
On Monday, Team USA revealed that Hamby will take Brink’s place on the 3×3 women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Olympics.
Why did Hamby get chosen for the Olympic team spot? It boils down to her fit with the roster and her prior experience in international 3×3 games.
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Why is Dearica Hamby on the USA 3×3 roster?
Dearica Hamby is stepping into Team USA’s 3×3 roster due to Cameron Brink’s injury. The rookie from the Sparks tore her ACL in a game against the Suns, which unfortunately sidelines her for the 2024 Olympics.
Team USA needed to fill the void with another forward to complement Cierra Burdick’s size. Although no replacement matched Brink’s height of 6-4 exactly, Hamby, at 6-3, is a close fit. Moreover, Hamby is averaging a double-double this season, making her an ideal candidate. Sports analyst Emily Dozier suggested that the 30-year-old veteran was the logical choice to replace the rookie.
Hamby first appeared for Team USA’s 3×3 team in December 2023, helping secure gold at the AmeriCup. Her experience in 3×3 basketball is invaluable for the squad’s medal hopes in Paris.
Why didn’t Team USA choose Caitlin Clark?
Caitlin Clark was not an option for Team USA’s 3×3 team for a straightforward reason: eligibility. Clark had never competed in any 3×3 basketball event for her country, which prevented her from earning the necessary points to be ranked among the top 50 players in the USA or even meet the minimum ranking points needed for consideration.
Even if Clark had the required points, she likely wouldn’t have been chosen to replace Brink. Team USA needed a player with size after Brink’s injury, making Hamby a more suitable replacement for roster balance.
The possibility of Clark replacing a guard like Hailey Van Lith could have been discussed if Clark had participated in 3×3 events. However, since she didn’t, any debate about her inclusion on the 3×3 roster is moot.
USA Olympic 3×3 women’s basketball roster
With Brink’s injury, Hamby will provide essential size for Team USA just a month before the Summer Games. Hamby is having a standout season at age 30, averaging 17.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, and shooting 50.9 percent from the field, ranking her 10th in the league.
Hamby joins a roster packed with talent. Hailey Van Lith and Cierra Burdick were part of the USA women’s 3×3 team that won gold at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Austria. Rhyne Howard, a two-time WNBA All-Star and former Rookie of the Year, will bring a mix of size, driving skills, and defensive prowess.
Below is the full four-woman roster for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics:
| Player | Height | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cierra Burdick | 6-2 | F | Valencia Basket Club (Spain) |
| Dearica Hamby | 6-3 | F | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Rhyne Howard | 6-2 | G | Atlanta Dream |
| Hailey Van Lith | 5-7 | G | TCU |
Head coach: Jennifer Rizzotti (Connecticut Sun president)
Assistant coach: Tammi Reiss (University of Rhode Island coach)