Dylan Travis, a former NAIA and Division II player turned 3×3 basketball star, defied odds to join Team USA for the Paris Olympics, reflecting on his remarkable journey and the personal significance of his achievements.

Dylan Travis, a 31-year-old special education teacher, is surprising many by representing Team USA in basketball at the Paris Olympics despite an unconventional career path.

After leading his high school in scoring, Travis had no Division I offers and initially attended Midland University, an NAIA school, where he faced personal challenges.

Transferring to Iowa Central Community College, Travis matured and excelled, which helped him secure a spot at Florida Southern University, where he won a Division II national championship.

Post-graduation, Travis played professionally in Germany and Australia before switching to coaching and playing in 3×3 tournaments, leading to his selection for Team USA.

With Team USA, Travis achieved notable victories, including gold at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup and the 2023 Pan American Games, and silver at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

Travis’s mom, who supported him throughout his journey, will be attending the Paris Olympics to watch him play, marking a significant personal milestone for him.

As part of the first U.S. men’s team chosen for the Olympics, Travis and his teammates are motivated by the pressure and expectations to win gold and promote the sport.