USA basketball’s 3×3 Dylan Travis: ‘The no-name that made it

USA basketball’s 3×3 Dylan Travis: ‘The no-name that made it: In a logical way, Dylan Travis shouldn’t be wearing a basketball jersey with Team USA printed across it this summer in Paris.

However, the basketball career of this 31-year-old special education teacher defies logic.

The native of Omaha, Nebraska, finished his senior year of high school scoring first in his home state, but he did not receive any offers to attend Division I. He made a commitment to Midland University, a school in Fremont, Nebraska, accredited by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The 6-foot-3 guard stated, “Being all-state coming out of high school, (I) was humbled my first year at an NAIA school.” I didn’t have my head on straight, sort of causing problems and stuff, nitpicking mentors.”

He transferred to Iowa Central Community College after spending a year at Midland. He was aware that if he achieved success there, he might be able to play Division I basketball.

Travis stated, “I had to mature a lot going into Iowa Central.” Denis Pilcher, a juco coach in the Hall of Fame, really helped me. That helped shape me into the person I am today.

He committed to Florida Southern, a Division II school, following his success at Iowa Central, where he scored 18.3 points on average per game.

Travis thrived there. The Moccasins won the Division II national championship in his junior year. After that season, his hotly anticipated Division I offer went along.

I was done with it by that point. Travis stated, “I stayed at Florida Southern and was an All-American my senior year.” After all those stops, Florida Southern was fantastic. There, it felt like heaven.

“No matter where you are in the world, it really matters to be a good teammate and to be a good person off the court. At Florida Southern, I learned a lot about that.”

After graduation, Travis played abroad in Germany and Australia. Following four years, he chose to put the ball down, rather chasing after a lifelong in training.

Travis continued his involvement in basketball by coaching the team at his high school. He had never considered competing again until his friend suggested participating in Omaha’s 3×3 tournament circuit.

Travis started playing the 3×3 game with the team 3Ball Omaha and went on to play over 150 pro games before falling in love with it. On the circuit, he eventually met his future teammates, Canyon Barry, Kareem Maddox, and Jimmer Fredette. The quartet was later acquired by USA Basketball.

In November, the group positioned second on the planet and procured an Olympic bid to address the red, white and blue.

The team has a long list of accomplishments, including gold medals at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in 2022 and the Pan American Games in 2023, as well as a silver medal at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in 2023.

With all his prosperity on the court, Travis most relishes the way that his mother will be in Paris watching him play.

“Only my mother and I are growing up. She maintained three sources of income so I could go to a confidential secondary school,” he said. ” Since she has never been outside of the United States, seeing her in Paris will be very special to me.

Travis is happy with his team as they prepare for the Olympics.

USA basketball’s 3×3 Dylan Travis: ‘The no-name that made it: “We’re the first (U.S. men’s) group that has been decided for the Olympics, so there is a few tension and a few assumptions to win gold and develop the game,” he said. ” We are veterans, so we can carry that burden. Therefore, we are excited for that challenge.”

Travis appreciates his roller coaster career retrospectively.

He stated, “I’m just the no-name that made it.”

“I’m a Division II guy who got to play 3×3 everywhere. He added, “Now I’m competing in the Olympics.” Keep playing the game if you enjoy it.”