Dylan Travis: From Unknown to Olympic 3x3 Basketball Star

USA 3x3 basketball’s Dylan Travis: ‘The no-name that made it’

Once upon a time in Omaha, Nebraska, a young basketball enthusiast named Dylan Travis dreamed big. Despite leading his high school in scoring, no Division I offers came his way. Unfazed, Dylan embarked on a journey that defied logic, starting at Midland University, an NAIA school. His first year was tough; disciplinary issues and an immature attitude held him back. Seeking a fresh start, Dylan transferred to Iowa Central Community College, where under the mentorship of Coach Dennis Pilcher, he began to mature and shine, averaging 18.3 points per game.

His stellar performance at Iowa Central paved the way to Florida Southern, a Division II school. Here, Dylan thrived, helping the Moccasins win a national championship and earning All-American honors his senior year. He even turned down a Division I offer, having found a home at Florida Southern.

After graduation, Dylan ventured overseas, playing professionally in Germany and Australia. After four years, he decided to put down the basketball to pursue a career in education, becoming a special education teacher. However, his love for the game never waned. Coaching high school basketball kept him connected to the sport, but it wasn't until a friend suggested he join Omaha's 3x3 basketball circuit that his competitive spirit was truly reignited.

Falling in love with 3x3 basketball, Dylan joined the team 3Ball Omaha and played over 150 games on the pro circuit. It was here that he met future teammates Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox, and Canyon Barry. Together, they caught the eye of USA Basketball, and by November, their team ranked second in the world, earning an Olympic bid.

Their resume was impressive, boasting gold medals from the 2022 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup and the 2023 Pan American Games, along with a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. Yet, for Dylan, the most rewarding aspect was knowing his mother, who worked three jobs to support him, would be there in Paris to watch him compete.

As Dylan heads to the Olympics, he feels a mix of pressure and pride. Being part of the first U.S. men's 3x3 basketball team to compete in the Olympics is a huge honor, and the expectation to win gold is high. Reflecting on his journey, Dylan appreciates every twist and turn, recognizing that persistence and passion have brought him to this extraordinary moment.

"I'm just the no-name that made it," he says with a smile. From a Division II player to an Olympian, Dylan's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the love of the game.

Some information about Dylan Travis

Travis made his USA Basketball debut at the 2022 FIBA 3x3 Men’s AmeriCup (gold). His 3x3 journey began as a member of 3BALL Omaha (2019-22) on the FIBA 3x3 Men’s World Tour. His performance on one of the best performing American teams on the pro circuit, including a 2021 USA Basketball 3X Nationals championship, earned his opportunity to represent the USA.

USA Basketball Notes

• Gold Medals: 2023 Pan American Games 3x3, 2022 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup.
• Silver Medals: 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
• Teams: 2024 USA 3x3 World Tour (Miami), 2023 USA 3x3 Men's Pan American Games Team, 2023 USA 3x3 World Tour (Miami), 2022 USA 3x3 Men's AmeriCup Team.
• 2024:
  • Took first place with Miami at the Quebec Challenger in Quebec City, Canada, from June 28-29, 2024.
  • Took sixth place with Miami at the Ulaanbaatar Masters in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 8-9, 2024.
  • Finished sixth with Miami at the Marseille Masters in Marseille, France, from May 31-June 1, 2024.
  • Led Miami to a first-place finish at the 2024 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya opener (4/27-4/27/24) and averaged 5.2 ppgs and 4.6 rpg. He led all players in rebounding with 23 total. 
  • Named to the 2024 USA 3x3 Men's National Team, which will compete at the 2024 Olympic Games Paris (3/26/24). 
  • Invited to participate at the 2024 USA 3x3 Men's National Team training camp Feb. 16-18 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• 2023:
  • Helped the 2023 USA 3x3 Men's Pan American Games Team to a 5-0 record and gold in Santiago, Chile, from Oct. 21-23.
  • Named to Team Miami (6/13/23), one of two USA Basketball FIBA 3x3 World Tour Teams in 2023.
  • Represented Miami at the Orleans Challenger in Orleans, France, from June 24-25, 2023.
  • Finished sixth with Miami at the Macau Masters in Macau, China, from July 8-9, 2023.
  • Represented Miami at the Pristina Challenger in Pristina, Kosovo, from July 15-16, 2023.
  • Helped Miami to a second-place finish at the Bordeaux Challenger in Bordeaux, France, from July 21-22, 2023.
  • Finished in third place with Miami at the Sukhbaatar Challenger in Sukhbaatar, Mongolia, from August 12-13.
  • Finished in third place with Miami at the Lausanne Masters in Lausanne, Switzerland, from August 18-19.
  • Finished fourth with Miami at the Debrecen Masters in Debrecen, Hungary, from August 26-27, 2023.
  • Led Team Miami to a first-place finish at the Cebu Masters in Cebu City, Philippines, from Sept. 23-24. Miami captured the USA’s first FIBA World Tour Masters win since Princeton claimed the 2019 Los Angeles Masters title.
  • Finished in second place with Team Miami at the Amsterdam Masters from Oct. 6-7.
  • Helped Team Miami to a third-place finish at the Doha Challenger from Oct. 10-11.
  • Led Team Miami to a first-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from Oct. 28-29, while averaging 3.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Miami became the first U.S. FIBA World Tour team to win two masters events in a season.
  • Competed with Team Miami in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Jeddah Final from Dec. 8-9. The team finished fifth at the event.
  • As a member of the 2023 USA 3x3 Men’s World Cup team, averaged 4.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He led all players at the tournament in free throws made with 12.
  • Played at the 2023 3X Nationals with Team Miami. The team went undefeated en route to the finals before falling to Showtime, 15-21.
• 2022:
  • Made his national team debut as a member of the 2022 USA 3x3 Men's AmeriCup team. 
  • Led 3Ball Omaha in their title defense at the 2022 Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Nationals. The team ultimately fell to Harlem, 15-21, in the championship game.
• 2021:
  • Led 3Ball Omaha to the Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Nationals title in 2021, defeating Harlem 21-20 in the championship game.
• 2020:
  • Announced as attending the 2020 USA Basketball 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament training camp on Feb. 7, 2020.

College Notes

• Played his junior and senior seasons at Florida Southern College.
• As a junior in 2014-15, played in 37 games and averaged 11.2 ppg. to help his team to an NCAA DII national championship.
• As a sophomore at Iowa Central Community College in 2013-14, started in 28 of 32 games and averaged 18.3 ppg.
• Played at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, as a freshman in 2012-13.

Personal Notes

• Born in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Son of Julie Travis.
• After returning to the U.S. from playing professionally overseas he took up a job as a special education teacher and boys' basketball coach at Westside High School in Omaha.