WASHINGTON, D.C. – Among the 13-player pool selected by the USA Basketball Women’s 3×3 National Team Committee, Mystics forwards Shakira Austin and Emily Engstler alongside guards Brittney Sykes and Sug Sutton participated in the 3×3 Development Camp in Phoenix, AZ last week.

We spy with our little eye….some Mystics in PHX 🏜️ The grind don't stop! pic.twitter.com/xcgJVhIcRG
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) November 12, 2024

The intense, fast-paced format of 3×3 basketball made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo games where Mystics sharpshooter Stefanie Dolson and a trio of WNBA veterans took home gold. The game is played continuously on a half court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Teams need to “clear” the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. To win, a team must be first to mount 21 points via 1-point field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc; or if the clock expires, the leading team wins.
Aside from Washington’s players, other participants at camp included Grace Berger (Indiana Fever), Rae Burrell (Los Angeles Sparks), Natasha Howard (Dallas Wings), Abbey Hsu, Taylor Mikesell, Alissa Pili (Minnesota Lynx), Jaylyn Sherrod (New York Liberty), Maddy Siegrist (Dallas Wings), and Azurá Stevens (Los Angeles Sparks).
The objective of the camp is to distinguish athletes who can potentially represent the USA 3×3 squad for future national team assignments. Four names will potentially be drawn from the 13 participating players when the 3×3 Committee selects those to represent USA Basketball at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, which in turn, will qualify for the World Cup that same year.
With much experience under her belt, veteran Brittany Sykes was a key piece to the 5-on-5 gold medal team in the 2019 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. Additionally, she participated in the 2012 U18 and 2013 U19 FIBA World Cup national team trials in Seattle, followed by Team USA trials in Columbia 2018.

Sport Court Slim went crazy at camp 🫡@BrittBundlez x 🇺🇸 #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/zgLhsIEuba
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) November 11, 2024

Shakira Austin won a 5-on-5 gold medal at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in 2022 with Team USA. This camp marked her second training camp, having previously been invited to the junior USA Basketball camp in 2018.

Go Getta 💨@Theylove_kira x 🇺🇸 #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/G2d6H2x653
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) November 12, 2024

Emily Engstler won a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup. The 2024 breakout player also represented the national team at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, 2021 3×3 U23 Nations League, and participated in the USA Basketball 3×3 U18 National Championship (2018, 2017).

A game of confidence.

🗣️ @em__baller

🇺🇸 #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/c9X9FRHUvY
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) November 12, 2024

Acquired from the Phoenix Mercury in August, versatile guard Sug Sutton won a 5-on-5 silver medal with the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup Team. This marks her first training camp with the USA national team.
With the development camp wrapping up this past Sunday, Sutton will return to Turkey to compete for her overseas team, Ormanspor. Sykes and Austin will be taking their talents to Miami this winter to participate in the new Unrivaled 3×3 league.
Engstler has yet to reveal her plans for this offseason.

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