Building the ultimate Spurs 3×3 basketball teams

3×3 basketball is a different animal and requires specific skill sets compared to 5×5. Which Spurs would make the best teams?

The 2024 Paris Olympics is just the second Olympics to feature 3×3 basketball, with the first being the largely unnoticed 2020 2021 Tokyo Olympics in part because the US men didn’t even qualify, although the women’s team, featuring Kelsey Plum, won gold. However, while both the men and women’s teams qualified this year, they are severely struggling. As of the posting of this article, the men’s team, led by very briefly one-time Spur Jimmer Fredette, is currently 0-4 and sitting in last place, while the women — who should have had WNBA rookie sensation Cameron Brink before she suffered an ACL tear in June — are just 2-3 but at least have a fighting chance to advance.

You would think with the United States being the basketball powerhouse of the world, 3×3 basketball would be stronger, but there are reasons why the Olympic teams are lacking in star power. This article from Yardbarker explains it best, especially for the men. Basically, you don’t see any active NBA players on the men’s side because they must participate in FIBA-sanctioned 3×3 competitions to qualify, but those events take place during the NBA season. Meanwhile, it’s easier for WNBA players to participate in qualifiers because their season doesn’t begin until May (although it still eats into some valuable training time).

It will be interesting to see if some of the rules and timing changes as the game becomes more popular to allow more pros to participate, but in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to put all that aside, take a look at the game itself, and build the ultimate Spurs 3×3 teams. Because we are celebrating international sports, I created both an international and American Spurs squad.

First, we’ll start by looking at the rules to help determine what type of players work best for this format. The game is very similar to what you may have played on the playground growing up. Each team is made up of four players: three starters and a bench player, with three players per team on the court at a time. It takes place entirely in the half court, is fast paced, and lasts 10 minutes (no quarters or halftime) with a 12-second shot clock. There’s no break after scoring; the team in possessions just starts back out at half court.

What we know as two-pointers (or inside shots) in 5×5 are worth one point in 3×3, and outside shots (or “threes”) are worth two, which actually makes them a lot more valuable considering they are worth 50% more than an inside shot (compared to 33% more in 5×5). The first team to 21 points wins, or if overtime is required should neither team reach 21 points in 10 minutes, the first team to score two points wins.

With all that in mind, the type of player best suit for 3×3 basketball would be quick, a good individual scorer as there is little time to set up offensive sets (not to mention it’s easier for defenders to stick to their players), and a preferably a strong individual defender. You would also need players who are good at shooting threes off the dribble (as opposed to just catch-and-shoot). Finally, a lineup typically consists of a designated ball handler, wing, and big. With all that in mind, here are my two Ultimate Spurs 3×3 teams, with the assumption being that each player is in his prime.

U.S. Spurs Team

Derrick White — This was actually a challenge because when you really dig deep, the Spurs’ best point guards have either been foreign-born, too defensive-minded, or from before threes were common: something you need in this format. I was considering Johnny Moore, but because the U.S. Spurs will be lacking in shooting power relative to their international counterparts, I went with White, who brings the best combination of shot creation, outside shooting, and point-of-attack defense.

Kawhi Leonard — I thought about George Gervin for this slot because good luck stopping that finger role, but it would only be worth one point. This team is hurting for some reliable outside shooting, and that just wasn’t a part of his game. Thus, bring in pre-2018 Leonard, who was arguably the best defender in the NBA, could create his own shot anywhere on the court, and would quietly wreck havoc. Love him or hate him, at his best, he could do some serious damage in this format.

David Robinson — This team needs a dominant, intimidating, physical presence, so bring on the Admiral: an original member of The Dream Team. He’s one of the best defenders of all time and had the speed and athleticism in his prime to cover a good range on defense. His offensive range would be limited, but how many defenders would actually be able to hold him off down low? Tim Duncan would bring a similar skillset (maybe even a bit more shooting range with his patented bank shot), but athleticism wins this spot for the Admiral.

Bench: Sean Elliott — The bench player needs to be a bit of a wildcard who can come in and help when needed, and with the Spurs needing some more reliable outside shooting, prime Elliott brings that, as well as some reliable passing and defense. (I also considered DeMar DeRozan, who would thrive as an individual scorer in this format, but I decided to go with an outside threat instead.)

International Spurs Team

Patty Mills (Australia) — It may be controversial going with Patty here over the Spurs’ GOAT point guard in Tony Parker, who possesses the speed and craftiness to create for himself and others, but ultimately, it was too hard to overlook FIBA Patty here. He was at one point the fastest player in the NBA, a lights out shooter off the dribble, and already has amazing chemistry with one of his teammates below. The main weakness would be defense with his short stature, but his feistiness on that side helps make up for it a bit and is another factor that pushes him in over Parker.

Manu Ginobili (Argentina) — If anyone can make passing in the tight confines of 3×3 look easy, it would be Manu. He’s the ultimate Swiss army knife of basketball who can pass, shoot and defend all over the court. There really isn’t much more to say; Manu is just the type of player every basketball team needs whether it’s conventional 5-vs-5 or the more unique 3-vs-3.

Victor Wembanyama (France) — While the sample size is small, there’s no questioning if Wemby would thrive in any basketball format. Although he was not a great three-point shooter his rookie season at just 32.5%, he shot a somewhat unfathomable 41% on off-the-dribble threes, which is more what this game needs (not to mention he’s looking a lot more accurate from outside in the Olympics). He’s quick for his size and would dominate inside for quick one-pointers, but most importantly, his defensive reach is the greatest in the world. Good luck.

Bench: Davis Bertans (Latvia) — Similar to Elliott, we’re going with someone who can come in and provide points in a hurry if needed. With his quick, silky smooth release from outside and ability to come in cold, Bertans would be the perfect spark plug and would fit in well with what would become a re-incarnation of the Beautiful Game Spurs.

Those are my two 3×3 Spurs teams. The U.S. squad is more defensive minded, while the International one is a bigger threat on offense, which isn’t surprising considering how the game has evolved in different parts of the world. Which of these two teams would win, and what would your team look like? Feel free to discuss in the comments below.