It defies logic that Dylan Travis is wearing Team USA on his basketball jersey this summer in Paris.
Yet, the 31-year-old special education teacher’s basketball journey is anything but logical.
Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Travis led his high school state in scoring during his senior year but received no Division I offers. He opted for Midland University, an NAIA school in Fremont, Nebraska.
“Coming out of high school as an all-state player, I was humbled in my first year at an NAIA school,” said the 6-foot-3 guard. “I struggled with discipline, got into trouble, and had issues with coaches.”
After a year at Midland, Travis transferred to Iowa Central Community College, where he aimed to prove himself and potentially move up to Division I basketball.
“I had to grow up a lot at Iowa Central,” Travis recalled. “Coach Dennis Pilcher, a Hall of Fame coach at the junior college level, was instrumental in my development.
His journey at Iowa Central, where he averaged 18.3 points per game, paved the way for Dylan Travis to commit to Florida Southern, a Division II school.
At Florida Southern, Travis excelled. During his junior year, the Moccasins claimed the Division II national championship. It was after this successful season that his long-awaited Division I offer finally arrived.
“By that point, I had moved past it. I stayed at Florida Southern and became an All-American in my senior year,” Travis recounted. “Florida Southern was a wonderful experience, especially after all those transitions. It felt like home.”
“Being a good teammate and a good person off the court, regardless of where you are in the world, really matters. I learned that a lot at Florida Southern.”
Travis is a member of the inaugural Team USA squad to compete in men’s 3×3 basketball at the Olympics. After finishing his education, Travis played professionally overseas in Germany and Australia for four years before deciding to transition into education.
He remained connected to basketball by coaching his high school team. Playing competitively again didn’t cross his mind until a friend suggested joining Omaha’s 3×3 tournament circuit.
Travis quickly fell in love with 3×3 basketball, starting with 3Ball Omaha and logging over 150 games on the professional circuit. Eventually, he teamed up with Jimmer Fredette, Kareem Maddox, and Canyon Barry, forming a quartet that caught the attention of USA Basketball.
In November, the team achieved second place globally and secured an Olympic berth to represent the United States.
The team boasts an impressive record, including gold medals at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup and the 2023 Pan American Games, as well as a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
Despite his success on the court, Travis values most the opportunity for his mother to watch him play in Paris. As Travis prepares for the Olympics, he is confident in his team’s abilities.
“We’re the first U.S. men’s team selected for the Olympics, so there’s pressure and expectations to bring home gold and promote the sport,” he emphasized. “We’re seasoned veterans, and we’re ready to embrace that challenge.”