For the second straight Olympics, 3-on-3 basketball will be a featured sport in addition to the traditional 5-on-5 offering.
The event, which is called 3x3, has seen an astronomical rise since it was first officially played at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. In 2017, 3x3 basketball was accepted as an Olympic discipline, setting the stage for the sport to be played at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
3x3 basketball is back at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the list of stars suiting up include former NBA lottery pick Jimmer Fredette, WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby, and NCAA women's basketball star Hailey Van Lith.
With the competition set to enter the spotlight, here is everything you need to know about 3x3, including the rules, format, participating teams, and when games will be played.
MORE: USA Basketball men's 3x3 schedule | USA Basketball women's 3x3 schedule
2024 Olympics 3-on-3 basketball rules, format
Pronounced "three-ex-three" in English, 3x3 is a half-court variation of basketball. In addition to being 3-on-3 in the halfcourt, a few major rule differences exist in the world of 3x3.
If you watch a 3x3 game you will notice a different-sized basketball and that the game consists of one 10-minute quarter with a 12-second shot clock. Made shots count for one or two points and there is no break between made baskets.
Games end after 10 minutes or when a team reaches the target score of 21 points. Competition can be held either indoors or outdoors.
| Rule | 3x3 | FIBA Basketball |
| Hoop | 1 | 2 |
| Court | Half | Full |
| Players | 3-a-side | 5-a-side |
| Ball | 3x3 | Basketball |
| Playing time | 10 minutes | 4 10-minute quarters |
| Target score | 21 points | N/A |
| Shot clock | 12 seconds | 24 seconds |
| Field goals | 1 or 2 points | 2 or 3 points |
| After scoring | No break | Inbound pass |
MORE: How Jimmer Fredette was coaxed into leading USA Basketball's men's 3x3 gold medal hopes
Which countries will be participating in 3-on-3 basketball?
- Men's teams: China, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, United States
- Women's teams: Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, France, Germany, Spain, United States
Olympics 3-on-3 basketball schedule
The men's and women's tournaments will be held from July 30 to Aug. 5. There are play-in games on Aug. 4 and the semifinals and final games will be played on Aug. 5
