USA women go for eighth straight gold
The US women’s national basketball team has won seven straight gold medals dating back to 1996. They have a perfect 54–0 record and have outscored their opposition by over 29 points per game during their run.
If they add one more gold medal to their count, it would be the first time any team has won eight straight at the Olympics in any sport. Diana Taurasi returns after taking part in the previous five trips, looking to become the first athlete in a team event to win six gold medals.
“It is hard to put together twelve players who have never played together, practice twice, and then expect to win a gold medal, but we have figured out a way to sacrifice, to be selfless, to be sure that the end result is to win a gold, and I think we always have that mindset when we play with Team USA,” said Taurasi.
USA women’s basketball player Diana Taurasi. Photo credit: USA Basketball
It is safe to say they are the heavy favorites in Paris, and they should dominate on their way to victory once again. The rest of the world has not made up enough ground on the women’s side in the same way that it has on the men’s side.
The national team bounced back from a 117–109 All-Star Game loss versus Team WNBA by defeating Germany 84–57 in their USA Basketball Showcase exhibition game. If Team WNBA were a part of the 2024 Olympic Games, they would easily be Team USA’s biggest threat. In fact, the two American teams would almost certainly win gold and silver.
“There is something about coming to USA basketball where that switch just flips, and we lock-in. We have to adjust to different schemes and different languages and try to trust the process,” said A’ja Wilson. “We are pros. We are great at what we do and know how to adapt at any moment. We are still 12 of the greatest in the world, so we are gonna get the job done.”
Wilson is the clear front-runner for MVP this season in the WNBA, and her current status as the best player in the world makes her the most important member of Team USA. She scored 19 points while grabbing 14 rebounds in the win over Germany. She can get it done on both ends of the floor, averaging nearly three blocks per game for the Las Vegas Aces this year.
USA basketball star Brittney Griner is all smiles for the camera. Photo credit: USA Basketball
Breanna Stewart trails right behind Wilson as the second option, giving the starting unit two skilled and athletic players, both standing at least 6'4". Stewart and Wilson are tough to stop on their own, but together, opponents are left to pick their poison.
If that is not enough size for head coach Cheryl Reeve, she can turn to 6'9" Brittney Griner off the bench. All of that is before taking into consideration the abundance of sharpshooters and playmakers that fill out the rest of the roster.
Whether it is Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Sabrina Ionescu, or any of the other stars, whoever steps foot on the floor for Team USA will always have the edge over the player they are matched up against.
“It is a fine line of playing your game but also knowing who is to the left and right of you,” said Stewart. “We know that we have an advantage already because of our depth, so when we are on the court, we are looking for the best shot and obviously not turning down opportunities to attack.”
With these extreme expectations, however, does come heightened pressure and responsibility. If they were not to finish first, it would be one of the biggest upsets in all of the Olympics and the most disappointing loss for the USA this year in any event.
Their hiccup against Team WNBA likely gives them a sense of urgency when they tip off in Paris, knowing now that they are not invisible. That loss was mostly thanks to an otherworldly performance from Arike Ogunbowale, whom, luckily, they will not have to face again this Summer.
Team USA will face Japan, Belgium, and Germany in the group phase, and another year of averaging a nearly 30-point margin of victory is probably in store.