Brady Swartz to represent Team USA in a 3-on-3 tournament

Brady Swartz, shown during a pick-up basketball game last summer, transferred to Oakland University this spring. He played at Western Michigan last season. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Brady Swartz has worn a lot of different jerseys lately. But none bigger than the one with “USA” across his chest.

Swartz, who graduated from Grand Rapids Northview High School, will represent Team USA in the the 2026 FIBA 3x3 Nations League Americas Conference June 27-July 3 in Ñuñoa, Chile.

“Just knowing that team USA wants me to be a part of their journey just really means a lot to me,” Swartz said. “Living in the USA and representing the USA is an honor and I’m super blessed for the opportunity.”

Swartz is a sophomore transfer at Oakland University. The 6-foot-7 guard played at Western Michigan University last season, where he averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 25 games, including 17 starts.

How did Swartz end up on Team USA?

“One of the coaches contacted my agent,” he said. “They did some research on me, watched some film on me and really thought I was a good fit for the team. So he asked me to play for team USA.”

The FIBA men’s team also includes Hank Alvey (Lehigh), CJ Gunn (DePaul), Kevair Kennedy (Merrimack), Pace Prosser (Siena) and Eric Dailey Jr. (UCLA). The coach is Tavaras Hardy, who is an assistant coach at Missouri.

The 3-on-3 format made its debut in the Summer Olympic Games in 2020. 

Swartz plays a lot of basketball, but not often in the 3-on-3 format.
“The last time I played in a 3v3 was back when I was in middle school,” he said. “Maybe like 7th grade. I honestly never played in Gus Mackers because of the risk of injury.”

According to the Team USA press release, the FIBA 3x3 Nations League will be a qualification route to the 2026 FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup. Conference winners will qualify for the event, set for Sept. 15-19 in Wuhan, China.