2024 Paris Olympics 3×3 Men’s Basketball Odds and Predictions

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics are set to feature some intense competition in the men’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament. This fast-paced, high-energy variant of traditional basketball has been gaining popularity, and this year’s tournament should be one of the more thrilling events to go down in France over the summer.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the rules, there is a bit less structure with 3×3 play than there is in traditional basketball. Both teams attack the same basket. The winner is the team with the most points after 10 minutes, or the first team to reach 21 points. Shots behind the 3-point line count for 2 points, while shots from inside the arc are worth 1 point. Same rules apply for the women’s 3×3 event as well.

3-on-3 basketball debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so this will be just the 2nd appearance for the competition in the Summer Games.

While this competition won’t garner as much attention as the traditional 5-on-5 format, there is still money to be made if you know what you’re doing! Sports betting sites have odds posted ahead of 3×3 action, which gets underway on July 26th.

Paris Olympics Men’s 3×3 Basketball Odds

Serbia (+190)

Serbia enters the tournament as the favorite with the shortest odds, reflecting their dominant presence in the 3×3 basketball scene. The Serbian team has a rich history of success, characterized by their exceptional ball-handling skills, strategic plays, and cohesive teamwork.

Nikola Jokic ain’t walking through that door. Nor is Dušan Bulut, who is, essentially, Jokic’s 3×3 equivalent. The 38-year-old is widely considered to be the best 3-on-3 basketball player of all-time. However, he won’t be back on the Olympic stage this summer.

Even without Bulut, Serbia will be difficult to beat. The Olympic roster of Strahinja Stojacic, Mihailo Vasic, Dejan Majstorovic, and Marko Brankovic is the same group that has won back-to-back 3×3 World Cups in 2022 and 2023. Only Majstorovic is returning from the squad that took home the bronze medal in this event in Tokyo 3 summers ago.

Stojacic is considered to be the best 3×3 player in the world these days. He earned MVP honors at the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2023 after he led the league in total points (408), assists (110), and rebounds (212).

Stojacic has become a household name in the sport, and he’s known for his ability to deliver in clutch moments. Serbia’s tactical prowess and experience make them the team to beat, and their performance in past tournaments solidifies their position as the frontrunner for the gold medal.

USA (+210)

Close on Serbia’s heels are the USA, boasting a strong lineup that blends experience with youthful exuberance. Team USA also features a player – Jimmer Fredette – who should be very familiar to hardcore basketball fans.

Fredette became something of a cult hero during his college days at BYU. He won National Player of the Year in 2011 after leading the nation in scoring, though he never caught on in the NBA despite being selected 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings that same year.

Jimmer was known for his elite shooting ability, though his inability to defend at the top level resulted in a short NBA career. He never stopped playing, however, and has gone on to enjoy a standout career playing professionally in China. He made his 3×3 debut back in 2022 at the Red Bull USA Basketball 3X East Regional.

Fredette helped his team win the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup. He helped Team USA win the silver medal at last year’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup, as well. In Paris, Jimmer will team up with Kareem Maddox, Canyon Berry, and Dylan Travis in search of gold. This will be the Olympic debut for the Americans in this competition, as they declined to send a team to Tokyo 2020.

Serbia got the better of the Americans at last year’s World Cup, which may explain why Team USA is considered a slight underdog at +210 odds to win the gold. Serbia and the US are ranked 1st and 2nd in the world, respectively.

France (+450)

As the host nation, France has the significant advantage of playing in front of a home crowd, which can provide a psychological boost and extra motivation.

This French team knows how to play together, as the Olympic squad will be comprised of 3 players who participated in Olympic qualifying. Timothee Vergiat, Jules Rambaut, and Franck Seguela will participate for the home nation this summer, while Lucas Dussoulier rounds out the roster. Dussoulier played for France at the 2023 Europe Cup, where they finished in fourth place.

France stumbled to an eighth-place showing at last year’s World Cup. They impressively claimed the gold medal at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, though that triumph came with a catch: Serbia and the US did not participate in that event.

France’s odds reflect their potential to leverage home support and deliver strong performances. The team’s familiarity with the local environment and conditions, along with their tactical discipline, positions them as a strong contender for a podium finish. Bettors should consider the potential impact of the home crowd when placing their wagers. However, the squad’s relative lack of success makes this a somewhat risky bet to claim the gold.

Latvia (+550)

Latvia has steadily built a reputation as a resilient and skillful team in the 3×3 basketball circuit. Their consistent performances in international tournaments highlight their ability to compete against the best.

Karlis Lasmanis brings experience and composure to the team, which are crucial elements in high-pressure situations. Lasmanis will be joined on Latvia’s roster by Zigmars Raimo, Francis Lacis, and Nauris Miezis this summer.

Latvia claimed the gold in Tokyo 3 years ago in the inaugural men’s 3×3 tournament. Lasmanis and Miezis were key players that year, and they’ll look to make it back-to-back trips to the top of the medal stand in Paris. Miezis earned MVP honors at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Hong Kong earlier this year. Lasmanis didn’t participate in qualifying, but he’ll be back to fight for the gold again this year.

Latvia won silver at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in 2019 before taking home the bronze last year. Latvia finished pool play in 3rd place at the 2020 Games before advancing past Japan and Belgium in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. They then went on to defeat Russia in the gold medal game.

While their odds are longer than the top contenders, Latvia’s ability to execute under pressure makes them a serious threat, and they could very well upset the favorites. With 2 of the 4 players returning from the 2020 gold-medal-winning side, Latvia makes for a very intriguing bet at +550.

Lithuania (+1000)

Lithuania’s rich basketball heritage translates well into the 3×3 format, where their emphasis on fundamental skills shines. Known for their sharpshooting and solid defense, the Lithuanian team can quickly turn the tide of a game with a series of well-executed plays.

Their odds suggest a lower probability of winning, but Lithuania’s track record in basketball at all levels means they cannot be discounted. This will be Lithuania’s first Olympic appearance in 3×3 after a strong showing at the Qualifying Tournament in Hungary earlier this year.

Lithuania look like a sneaky sleeper bet at +1000 thanks to their well-established lineup. All 4 players on the roster – Gintautas Matulis, Sarunas Vingelis, Evaldas Dziaugys, and Aurelijus Pukelis – have significant experience on the international stage. Lithuania claimed the silver medal at the 2023 Europe Cup and the 2022 World Cup. They’re ranked 3rd in the FIBA rankings entering these Olympic Games.

The team’s ability to play as a cohesive unit and their strategic depth make them an intriguing option for those looking to place value bets with the potential for high returns.

Netherlands (+800)

The Netherlands are emerging as a team with significant potential to disrupt the status quo. Known for their physical style of play and tenacity, the Dutch team has shown they can compete with more established basketball nations. The Netherlands aren’t known for their traditional basketball prowess, but they’ve become quite a presence in the 3×3 realm in recent years.

The Dutch took home silver medals at the 2017 and 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cups. They also finished 5th at the 2020 Tokyo Games in their Olympic debut and took home the bronze in the 2022 European Championships.

Worthy de Jong – a 36-year-old veteran – headlines a cohesive Netherlands Olympic roster that’s been playing together for the last couple of years. Arvin Slagter and Dimeo Van der Horst are 2 players set to return after playing for the Netherlands at the 2020 Games, while Jan Driessen rounds out the roster.

Their ability to adapt to different opponents and maintain a high level of intensity throughout games is commendable.

China (+2000)

With substantial +2000 gold medal odds, China is seen as a long shot. However, the dynamic nature of 3×3 basketball can sometimes favor the underdog.

China will enter the Olympics ranked 6th in the FIBA 3×3 team rankings. They finished a dismal 8th in their Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, however. Ning Zhang is a player to watch, as he’s been a brute force offensively for China in recent competitions. He scored 34 points at the Chengdu Masters just last month and earned MVP honors as a result. He’s one of the more athletic players in the world, and it’ll be fun to see his high-flying antics on display on the biggest stage in Paris.

China won’t be returning any of the 4 players who struggled to assert themselves at the Olympics a few years ago. Zhang will be joined on the roster by 25-year-old Jiaren Zhao, whose size (6’8″) could give smaller foes some matchup issues. Yuanbo Zhu and Wenbo Lu will also be in Paris for the 2-time Asia Cup bronze medal winners.

Bettors willing to take a risk might find China an appealing high-reward option.

Poland (+3000)

Poland rounds out the list with the longest odds at +3000, making them the ultimate underdog in the competition. Despite these odds, Poland has shown glimpses of brilliance in past tournaments, with a team that plays with heart and determination. Poland punched their ticket to Paris with a dramatic win over Mongolia in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Poland finished 7th in 3×3 basketball at the Tokyo Games. They’ve medaled just once – a bronze in 2019 – in 7 appearances at the World Cup. Poland has also just claimed one medal – another bronze in 2021 – at the European Cup in 5 attempts.

Poland’s confirmed Olympic roster consists of Adrian Bogucki, Michal Sokolowski, Przemyslaw Zamojski, and Filip Matczak. Zamojski is the only returning player from the last Olympics.

Their strength lies in their grit and ability to stay competitive in closely contested games. While they are not favored to win, the inherent unpredictability of 3×3 basketball means Poland could surprise many with a deep run.

Paris Olympics Men’s 3×3 Basketball Predictions: Who Wins Gold?

This should be one of the more fun competitions to watch in Paris over the summer. Serbia are understandable favorites despite a fairly underwhelming showing in Tokyo a few years ago, while the Americans will look for a place on the medal stand in their Olympic debut.

I don’t think a bet on Serbia is a terrible idea, even if the +190 odds don’t offer significant upside. Led by Stojacic, Serbia will be an extremely tough out for any opponent.

If you’re looking for more upside when betting on the Olympics 3×3 men’s basketball, I love the value in Lithuania at the +1000 odds. This is an experienced team that has tasted success on the big stage before, and I think they’re primed to raise some eyebrows in France later this month.

Safe Bet: Serbia (+190)
Value Bet: Lithuania (+1000)