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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