Former Lady Vols basketball player Sierra Burdick is looking to win gold again with Team USA, but this will be her first time competing in the Olympics.
Burdick, a U.S. 3×3 veteran, was announced as one of four members of the U.S. 3×3 Olympic Team that will compete in the Paris Olympics this summer. She joins former Kentucky star and No. 1 WNBA draft pick Rhyne Howard, Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink and TCU guard Hailey Van Lith.
Burdick is the 15th Lady Vol to be selected to play for the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team and the second player to play for the U.S. 3×3 Olympic Team. Former Lady Vol Carla Lawson led the 3×3 Olympic Team to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“As I always say, there is no greater honor than representing the United States at the Olympic Games,” said Connecticut Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti, who coaches the 3×3 team. “We understand the challenges ahead as we face off against incredibly talented and experienced 3×3 teams. We are confident that this roster, with its experience, versatility and dedication to USA Basketball excellence, gives us what we need to compete for a gold medal again. We can't wait for the games to begin.”
The 3×3 basketball competition at the Paris Olympics will run from July 30th to August 5th.
Burdick, Brink and Van Lith were all members of the U.S. 3×3 team that won gold at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup. For Burdick, this was her second FIBA 3×3 World Cup gold medal, having won in 2014. She also won gold at the 2023 3×3 Pan American Games.
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Los Angeles selected Burdick with the 14th overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, but she never played for the Sparks. Burdick spent her rookie season with the Atlanta Dream before playing for six different teams from 2015-2021.
Burdick played for the Lady Vols from 2011-2015, leading Tennessee to two SEC regular season championships (2013, 2015) and two SEC Tournament championships (2012, 2014). A first-team SEC selection as a senior, Burdick helped lead the team to three trips to the NCAA Elite Eight (2012, 2013, 2015). She was also named the Torchbearer for the University of Tennessee in 2015.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women's track and field. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter. This springIf you enjoy Cora's articles, please consider a digital subscription to get full access.
