Canada's Michelle Plouffe, left and Kacie Bosch, right, walk off the court after their women's 3X3 basketball semifinal loss to Germany at the Summer Olympics in Paris on Aug. 5.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
The women on Canada’s 3x3 basketball team circled up in a tight, teary embrace in Paris on Monday night, after falling just shy of securing a medal in their Olympic debut.
The Canadians lost a tight bronze-medal game 16-13 to the United States, before a packed house at Place de la Concorde. Later, Germany beat Spain 17-16 for the gold medal.
The Canadians lost their semi-final to Germany earlier Monday before playing a couple of hours later for bronze. Katherine Plouffe had five points for Canada in the loss to the United States while Michelle Plouffe and Kacie Bosch each added three.
Canada’s four-woman squad of Paige Crozon, Bosch and sisters Michelle and Katherine Plouffe were crushed to leave empty-handed after being the country’s first team at the Games in this growing version of the sport.
“We didn’t get the outcome we wanted but it doesn’t make the journey any less important,” said Michelle Plouffe, who along with her twin had also played for the Canadian women’s basketball team at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics before focusing on the 3x3 brand of the game.
The 3x3 event (dubbed literally ‘three-x-three’) made its debut at the Olympics in Tokyo three years ago, so this was just the second edition. Paris was the first time Canada qualified a team in the event.
“Our goal was to grow the game of 3x3 when we started and we put a team together for Canada. It was our vision, always bigger than just our team, to have an actual program,” she added. “To have the support of Canada Basketball and to have girls who are now interested in playing 3x3 … it was always about leaving a legacy behind, and I think we’ve made a big leap forward.”
This 3x3 tournament took place outdoors and had a festival vibe, part of a large venue at Place de la Concorde, in the heart of Paris, that is shared with the Olympic skateboarding and BMX events.
This street version is played on an urban half-court with just one hoop and features two teams with three players and one sub each. In Paris, it took place with packed stands and under a big-top-style tent roof with roving high-tech cameras capturing it from every angle.
It’s a 10-minute game that moves fast, with a 12-second shot clock and no breaks after baskets. Music blares throughout the game. The first team to 21 points wins.
There was play-by-play being broadcast live over the speakers, with commentary like “the two Canadian twins are connecting like blue-tooth.” Paris served up heat and humidity for the event. The venue was busy and vibrant. The scene was often so loud and raucous that the Canadian players couldn’t hear one another on the court. However, the Canadians have played together around the world, so they have learned to communicate without words. This Olympic tournament, though, was the biggest stage yet.
“We have called it the ultramarathon of 3x3 tournaments to play 10 games in five days,” Crozon said. “It was just physically, mentally, emotionally so draining, but the most amazing to play in.”
“I would rather have my neck a little bit heavier right now, but the journey is worth it,” Katherine Plouffe said. “I love 3x3. It’s been quite a ride for my basketball career. I’ve had so much more fun playing basketball.”
It’s different, she said, to play with a four-woman team than a large group.
“I’ve had teammates that have become really tight friends and sisters and, so, it’s just a lot more on our shoulders when we play just three of us,” she added. “Everyone contributes so much. But I think that’s why maybe it hurts a little bit more too.”