USA Basketball 3×3 Men’s Development Camp Opens in Phoenix

Phoenix, United States

The USA Basketball 3×3 Men’s Development Camp has officially opened this week, quietly setting the stage for what could shape the next generation of American talent in one of the sport’s fastest-growing formats. Running from April 17 to April 19, the camp brings together a carefully selected group of ten under-23 athletes, each identified as a potential future contributor to the national 3×3 program.

Unlike the traditional five-on-five game, 3×3 basketball operates with a different rhythm and demand. Played on a half court with a 12-second shot clock and a 10-minute limit, the format rewards quick thinking, adaptability, and endurance. It’s a version of the game that has steadily gained global traction since its inclusion in the Olympic program, and for the U.S., building depth in this space has become increasingly important.

The roster reflects that intent. Players like Finley Bizjack and Boden Kapke arrive with prior international 3×3 experience, having been part of teams that competed in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas Conference and even stepped onto the World Tour stage. Others, such as Mark Armstrong, bring a more traditional pathway, highlighted by a gold medal performance at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup and appearances at youth world competitions. The blend suggests a deliberate balance between proven 3×3 familiarity and high-upside prospects transitioning from the standard game.

Overseeing the camp is head coach Jimmy Smith, who has been closely tied to the development of USA’s 3×3 system in recent years. His track record includes guiding the U.S. to a silver medal at the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in 2024, a result that underlined both the promise and the unfinished work within the program. Assisted by a staff that includes Ras Vanderloo, Brian Merritt, and Tavaras Hardy, the camp is structured not just as a training environment but as an evaluation platform where roles, chemistry, and decision-making are closely observed.

What makes this gathering notable is not its size, but its purpose. With only ten players in attendance, the focus is intentional, almost intimate, allowing coaches to assess how individuals respond under the unique pressures of the 3×3 format. It is here, in these controlled but demanding sessions, that future national team selections often begin to take shape.

For USA Basketball, the broader objective is clear. While the country has seen encouraging results at the youth level, translating that success consistently to senior international competition remains a work in progress. Camps like this are less about immediate outcomes and more about building a pipeline that can sustain competitiveness on the global stage over the coming years.

As the sessions unfold in Phoenix, the attention may not be widespread, but within the program, the significance is understood. These three days offer a glimpse into the future, where a handful of emerging players take their first measured steps toward representing the United States in a format that continues to evolve, quietly but quickly.

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