OLYMPIC GAMES | BASKETBALL
Projected starting five for the USA women’s basketball team in the Paris Olympics 2024
With Japan, Germany and Belgium sharing Group C with the Stars and Stripes, gold is all that is targeted in Paris.
Since their triumph in Los Angeles in 1984, the USA Basketball Women’s National Team has been a dominant force, securing nine gold medals. The only exception occurred in 1992 when they finished third, with the Unified Team clinching the gold in Barcelona.
Team USA full of gold
For the upcoming Paris edition, the team, coached by Cheryl Reeve, boasts significant Olympic experience. Among the 12 players selected, see below, nine already have an Olympic gold medal, while the remaining three hold gold medals from the World Cup.
One player for the U.S. team that brings a wealth of experience is Diana Taurasi, who will make her sixth consecutive Olympic appearance in Paris 2024. This milestone will make her the USA Basketball player with the most Olympic games played, totaling 38. Taurasi is also the second-highest scorer with 414 points, trailing only Lisa Leslie, who has 488 points.
The United States aims to secure their eighth consecutive gold medal and their tenth overall in Olympic history. The basketball event gets going on July 28 and wraps up on August 11, with the U.S. beginning their campaign on July 29.
USA women’s basketball team: full roster and starting team
Team USA roster:
- Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx)
- Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury)
- Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces)
- Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury)
- Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
- Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm)
- Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces)
- Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
- Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun)
- A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
- Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)
From the roster, the expected starting five are: Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Diana Taurasi and Jewell Loyd. It’s possible that Napheesa Collier comes in for Loyd after missing out on recent warm-ups due to plantar fasciitis, which causes severe heel pain.
USA women’s basketball team: schedule
All times ET
USA vs Japan: Monday, July 29 - 3 p.m.
Belgium vs USA: Thursday, August 1 - 3 p.m.
Germany vs USA: Sunday, August 4 - 11:14 a.m.
Assuming, as we do, that Team USA will proceed from the group, the knockout stage would see them play the quarterfinals on August 7 and then the semifinals on August 9. Should they win they would take their place to compete for the gold medal on August 11.