LAS VEGAS — From contending with Olympic-level sailing winds to weathering Malaysian monsoons, 3x3 basketball players are well-acquainted with extreme conditions.

The inclusion of 3x3 basketball in the Olympic Games was authorized for Tokyo 2020, where Latvia, a nation comparable in size to West Virginia with a population of 1.8 million, secured the gold medal while Team USA narrowly missed qualification.

As Team USA readies for their Olympic debut on July 30 in Paris against Germany, many Americans will witness for the first time this dynamic, fast-paced iteration of James Naismith's sport, conducted outdoors where elements such as wind and rain can profoundly influence gameplay.

Canyon Barry, a standout player and son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, acknowledged the formidable challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, noting, "Obviously, we’re a team that shoots the ball pretty well. So when we’re playing in 30 or 40 mph winds, it’s not always conducive to our strengths."

The realm of 3x3 basketball diverges significantly from traditional 5-on-5 play:

- Matches unfold on outdoor half-courts, magnifying the impact of weather conditions.

- A smaller ball and a brisk 12-second shot clock foster a faster, more dynamic style of play.

- Scoring is varied: shots within the arc tally 1 point, while those from beyond the 22-foot line net 2 points.

- The game concludes either when a team hits 21 points or after 10 minutes, with the leading team declared victorious. Overtime ensues if tied, with the first team to score 2 points securing the win.

Joe Lewandowski, a seasoned coach in USA 3x3 basketball, recounted the challenges encountered by his team in Marseille, France, where they adapted to unfamiliar conditions reminiscent of Olympic sailing venues. "It was intense," Lewandowski recalled. "You shoot it and you’re like, ‘OK maybe I have to shoot it 5 feet right for it to maybe go left.'"

Reflecting on these unpredictable conditions, veteran player Kareem Maddox, a former Princeton star, vividly recalled the 2018 Penang World Tour event in Malaysia, where a literal typhoon caused players to struggle with traction. "They wanted us to finish the game," Maddox recalled, "but eventually, guys were sliding all over the floor."

As the U.S. men's 3x3 basketball team prepares for Olympic competition, navigating the challenges posed by weather conditions remains a critical element of their preparation. Just as Woody Harrelson's character in the classic basketball film "White Men Can't Jump" adjusted for wind, these athletes must adapt to ensure peak performance amidst the unpredictable outdoors.