INDIANAPOLIS — The opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is still months away, but one athlete in Indianapolis is vying for her spot on the trip.
Lexie Hull is a guard for the Indiana Fever. She's also an experienced 3x3 basketball player at the international level.
"3x3 is a new sport, and every time we get to play it, it's always new and exciting," Hull said.
Hull just returned to Indianapolis after playing on the gold medal-winning American team at the Pan American Games in Chile.
"Anytime you have USA across your chest, it is just such a special opportunity," Hull said. "I was just excited that I had the chance to go."
Hull said 3x3 is much different than traditional basketball.
For one, it's only half of the court.
"There is one basket," Hull said. "There are only three people on the court at one time, and you have one sub. There's also no coach, so you're coaching yourselves."
Each game runs 10 minutes, with a 12-second shot clock, and the teams play to 21.
"It's very, very quick," Hull said. "There's no stoppage unless the ball falls out of bounds, or someone gets fouled."
Now, a gold medalist at the international level, Hull also holds a silver and bronze title.
Hull first competed in 3x3 in the U23 World Cup in Romania in October 2022.
Shortly after, USA Basketball reached out and offered her another chance, a tournament in Miami, to continue playing in the offseason.
"It was the perfect opportunity to work on my game and represent the United States, which was super exciting for me," Hull said.
Back in Indianapolis, Hull said 3x3 skills help improve her game with the Fever.
"You really get a chance to work on every single part of the game because every part of the game is so important in 3x3," Hull said.
When it comes to playing 3x3 basketball at the Summer Olympics, only three countries automatically qualify to compete.
This time around, both the USA men's and women's teams are already in.
Hull hopes, with her experience in international ball, her name will make the roster for Paris.
"That's always the goal," Hull said. "It comes down to a committee of people who will decide, but hopefully I'm a name on that list. If not, then I'm really excited to support them from afar."