For Catherine and Michelle Plouffe, competing in the Paris Olympics was a humbling experience.
The twin sisters not only traveled and sweated, but also invested their own money and countless hours as they built Canada’s 3-on-3 basketball program from the ground up.
Now they are part of the first Canadian team to compete in 3-on-3 on an Olympic stage.
“I think you have to start somewhere. It’s been very humbling to see how people have received it,” Michelle Plouffe said.
“It was definitely a hands-on experience wearing different hats and working behind the scenes.”
The 31-year-old Plouffe sisters, both from Edmonton, are veterans of the Canadian women’s basketball team, having been on the team that finished seventh at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Michelle also played at the 2012 London Olympics.
The duo decided to make the leap to 3-on-3 basketball before the sport made its debut at the 2019 Tokyo Olympics. Michelle had friends playing on the men’s World Tour and thought the smaller game would suit her style of play.
“It just seemed like so much fun,” she said. “It felt really liberating. I could be creative and do things on my own.”
3v3 is played on a half court, with both teams shooting from the same net. A shot from outside the arc is worth 2 points, while a shot from inside is worth 1 point. The team with the most points at the end of 10 minutes or the first team to reach 21 points wins.
Related Videos
A DJ plays music throughout the game.
Get the latest news from Canada and around the world delivered straight to your inbox in real time.
Get the latest news from around the country
To stay up to date with news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up for breaking news alerts as they happen.
“The slogan is ‘From the Streets to the Olympics’ and that’s exactly what it feels like,” said Paige Crozon of Team Canada. “It’s like playing on the street with my best friends, but now I’m on the Olympic stage, which is awesome.”
Since Canada didn’t have a national 3-on-3 program in 2019, the Plouffes took it upon themselves to create their own. They recruited players (including Crozon), booked tournaments, and covered travel and training costs themselves.
“It took us a little while to find our way,” Catherine said. “But I’m glad people are now learning about 3v3, and that programs are being developed not just for ourselves but for those who come after us. And I think there will be more opportunities for women to play in the future.”
Crozon joined forces with the Fluff sisters as they looked for a team that could accommodate both herself and her young daughter Poppy.
Now 5, Poppy has become a part of the team, Crozon said.
“It’s amazing to share this experience with her. It was my childhood dream to be an Olympian, but I never imagined I would be doing it with my daughter,” said the 30-year-old from Humboldt, Sask.
“She reinforced everything we did. I’m so proud to have her share this experience. Having her there really gave me a lot of perspective and a lot of foundation.”
Casey Bosch, 27, from Lethbridge, Alberta, will join Team Canada in Paris.
Bosch had turned down several opportunities to play for the team before joining the team for the first-ever 3-on-3 FIBA AmeriCup in 2021.
Canada finished third in the tournament and won the title in 2022. Since then, the team has continued to achieve great results in international competition, including a third-place finish at the Olympic qualifying tournament in May.
Canada also tops the FIBA 3-on-3 individual world rankings, with Catherine Plouffe in first place, followed by Crozon and Michelle Plouffe.
“It’s really cool to be a part of this team with these three guys. They’re the pioneers of 3-on-3 in Canada… It’s really cool to be a part of their journey and see the foundation they’ve built,” Bosch said.
“It’s surreal to be on the first (Olympic) team with three of the best players in the world. Who else can go through what I’m going through? No one.”
The women’s 3×3 basketball tournament in Paris will feature eight teams, including defending champions the United States, Germany, Australia, Spain, Azerbaijan, France and China.
Bosch said all the top teams in the sport have qualified, setting the stage for a fiercely contested tournament.
“It’s going to be tough. You can’t miss any game,” she said. “There’s a huge reward for coming in second. You automatically get into the semifinals. So everyone’s going to be bleeding. It’s going to be really exciting.”
Each team will play against all seven other teams in pool play starting July 30. The medal matches will be held on August 5.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 29, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
