An exciting 3×3 basketball competition is scheduled for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the USA Women’s National Team had originally invited Cameron Brink, Hailey Van Lith, Cierra Burdick, and Rhyne Howard to compete.
Regretfully, Brink had to withdraw from the Olympics after suffering an ACL tear that ended her season while she was playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. In response, USA Basketball swiftly selected a successor to take her position, guaranteeing the team’s continued strength and competitiveness.
Dearica Hamby, a veteran of the Los Angeles Sparks, has been selected to take Cameron Brink’s place on the 3×3 team. Hamby started her WNBA career with the San Antonio Stars in 2015 as the No. 6 overall draft pick from Wake Forest. She will now be a part of the elite group that also includes Cierra Burdick, Natasha Howard, and Hailey Van Lith.
Dearica Hamby: The rise from sixth lady to all-star triumph
Playing for the Stars (and then the Las Vegas Aces), Hamby was a great player who shone during her eight seasons, winning Sixth Woman of the Year honours in 2019 and 2020. She shot 7.6 rebounds, dished out 1.9 assists, and scored 11.0 points on average per game in 2019.
In 2020, she maintained her stellar performance, boosting her stats to 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, further cementing her standing as a vital and powerful point guard.
Honoured as an All-Star in 2021 and 2022, Hamby was a key player in helping the Aces win their first WNBA Championship in 2022. She was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks before the 2023 campaign and has continued to shine.
In the 2024–21 season, Hamby is averaging a remarkable 17.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Her remarkable skill is evident as she makes a major contribution to the Sparks.
With her sights set on winning a gold medal for USA Basketball in Paris, Hamby—who is headed for her third All-Star selection—is scheduled to participate in the Summer Olympics. She and Cierra Burdick are now the longest-tenured WNBA veterans on the team.
New additions to the roster are Van Lith, who is still playing for the LSU Tigers, and Howard, who will be drafted into the WNBA in 2022. Brink, who would have been the only rookie on the squad, will be missed this season due to injuries, but she should be back to full strength next year.