Ustby makes U.S. three-on-three team for competition in Romania

By R.L. Bynum

USA Basketball has named Carolina junior Alyssa Ustby to the team that will compete in the 2022 FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League Final, which is scheduled next week on Sept. 14–16 in Constanta, Romania.

Ustby was part of the American team that qualified for the Final of the three-on-three competition by winning the Nations League Americas conference last month in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Ustby scored 76 points in 15 games during that competition as the United States went 18–0.

“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to play for the USA 3×3 Team in Romania!” Ustby said in a tweet. “Things like this are not accomplished alone. Huge shoutout to my teammates and coaches for helping me grow as a player. I couldn’t do it without their support.”

Joining her on the U.S. team will be Texas sophomore Aaliyah Moore, Villanova senior Maddy Siegrist and Notre Dame junior Maddy Westbeld.

“We are so enormously proud that Alyssa will, again, be representing the Carolina blue while wearing the red, white and blue,” UNC coach Courtney Banghart said. “She is such a gifted talent and relentless competitor, and the international stage is quickly learning what she can do. Alyssa’s play last month in the Dominican Republic has earned this next opportunity in Romania and our whole team is behind her as she goes for gold.”

Duke senior Celeste Taylor, who was part of the team for the Americas competition, didn’t make the team for the Final.

The team will be directed by head coach Damon Huffman and court coach Lakin Roland.

Three-on-three is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and a 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams “clear” the ball behind the two-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via one-pointer field goals or two-pointers behind the arc is victorious, or if time expires, the team leading wins.


Read about the humble beginnings of the Carolina women’s basketball programs, from coaches driving teams to games to playing and practicing in a dangerously gym, the program has come a long way. Learn interesting stories about the program in this Tar Heel Tribune story.


Photo courtesy of USA Basketball

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