What does it actually take to compete in 3x3 basketball at the highest level? In this episode, we sit down with Caden Pierce — Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, USA Men's 3x3 National Team member, and MVP of the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup — where he helped lead Team USA to gold.
Caden breaks down the steep learning curve of transitioning from high-level 5-on-5 into FIBA 3x3, what actually gets exposed on the 3x3 floor, and how the Princeton system prepared him better than he ever expected. We get into the physicality, the 12-second shot clock, why IQ matters more than skill, and what separates elite 3x3 players from everyone else.

We also talk about:

- Why 3x3 is NOT what Americans think it is
- The biggest mistakes players make on the 3x3 court
- His MVP performance at the Champions Cup and the moment things clicked
- The top teams in the world right now (Netherlands, Serbia, and beyond)
- Why the 2028 LA Olympics could be a turning point for 3x3 in the U.S.
- Whether Wembanyama would be a great 3x3 player 👀

Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this conversation is a masterclass on what real player development looks like through the lens of 3x3.

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This might be the future of basketball.

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Kyle Montgomery — aka "The Voice" of 3x3 basketball and Olympic commentator — to break down what 3x3 really is… and why it’s growing so fast around the world.

If you’ve seen clips but never fully understood it, this episode will change how you look at the game.

We cover:
• What people get wrong about 3x3 basketball
• Why it’s NOT just pickup basketball
• The biggest differences between 3x3 and 5v5
• What makes a great 3x3 player
• Why even NBA players struggle when they first play
• Where the game is heading globally

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After 50 episodes of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we took a step back to break down what actually matters in player development.

From overcoaching… to game reps… to the real difference between 3on3 and 5on5 — this episode is a reflection on everything we’ve learned from coaches, players, and real experience.

If you’re a coach, parent, or player trying to develop the right way… this is one you need.

In this episode, we cover:
• The #1 mistake most coaches make (and don’t realize)
• Why reps matter more than drills
• 3on3 vs 5on5 (what each actually teaches)
• What separates players who “get it”
• How to build real basketball IQ
• The future of basketball (and why it might concern you)


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3on3 Hoops Pod

3on3 Live

Scorehoops 3on3

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show