LAS VEGAS, NV — They’re four players that qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics 3 x 3 Basketball tournament who will represent the USA, who are Stefanie Dolson (Chicago Sky), Allisha Gray (Dallas Wings), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces) and Katie Lou Samuelson (Seattle Storm).
Kara Lawson is the USA’s coach/advisor and will guide the team during practices and in its preparations.
“I’m thrilled for these four women, all first time Olympians!” Lawson said. “Their dedication these past 18 months to help position USA Basketball in Tokyo is being rewarded. Now, the real work begins. I’m confident that this group will be able to put together performances that represent our standard. This will be our most challenging tournament to date, but I love the competitors that we are bringing with us.”
Dolson, Gray and Plum played in their first international 3×3 event in 2021. Along with Samuelson, the team captured a tournament title at the Big Twelve International Tournament in Voiron, France, ahead of the 2021 FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament according to USA Basketball.
“Just proud and I feel so blessed to be apart of this group, to be picked for the first time ever for 3 x 3 in the Olympics,” Plum said. “To represent USA and my family and so many emotions and as a kid you dream of this moment.“
Plum is the only FIBA World Cup gold medalist on the team, which she earned in 2018. She also won a gold medal at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Cup and a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.
Dolson first played with the USA National Team in 2013 while in college and since has been on six five-on-five national team rosters between the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup and exhibition games. She won gold medals with USA Basketball junior national teams at the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and the 2011 FIBA U19 World Cup.
She was thrilled to get the call that she would be representing her country and making history in participating in the first ever 3 x 3 tournament in the Olympics.
“I’m especially honored for the reason that it’s historic… and not everyone can say they’ve been apart of history,” Dolson said. “I’m just hoping to go and represent the country well and hopefully come out with the gold.”
Allisha Gray was named to the five-on-five USA National Team pool in March 2018 and since has compiled an 17-2 overall record playing for USA teams, including nine training camps between five-on-five and 3×3 teams.
Samuelson, who won 3×3 gold medals at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and the 2013 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, will become the first USA Basketball player to compete in a Youth Olympic Games and an Olympic Games.
“USA Basketball is very proud to announce the first U.S. Olympic 3×3 Basketball Team,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “These four players not only are outstanding athletes, but they will be excellent representatives for our country in this new Olympic discipline. All four have significant USA Basketball experience and most recently won the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifier, which earned this 3×3 berth to Tokyo.”
