USA women’s basketball 2024, 2024 Paris Olympics, USA basketball roster, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Cheryl Reeve, Team USA basketball, women’s basketball Olympics 2024
Discover the powerhouse lineup of the USA women’s basketball team set to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Led by veteran Diana Taurasi and featuring first-time Olympians like Sabrina Ionescu, the team aims to continue its gold medal legacy. Learn more about the roster, coaching staff, and game schedule.
The USA Women’s Basketball Roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics is Set
The anticipation and excitement for the 2024 Paris Olympics are intensifying, and USA Basketball has just added to the buzz by revealing the roster for the women’s basketball team. On Tuesday, USA Basketball announced the 12 players who will represent Team USA, aiming for an eighth consecutive gold medal, a streak that began with the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Veteran Leadership and New Faces
Leading the charge is veteran Diana Taurasi, who is no stranger to the Olympic spotlight. Taurasi, who boasts an impressive collection of five gold medals from previous Olympics, will bring her wealth of experience and leadership to the team. Her presence is expected to be a guiding force for the squad, especially for the first-time Olympians.
Taurasi spoke to Olympics.com in November 2023 about the pride and responsibility that comes with wearing the USA jersey. “USA Basketball is such an amazing culture of history and partnership, and teammates and all these relationships that you build throughout your whole career,” she said. “You put the jersey on for the next person, and people have done that for me and hopefully I’m doing it for the next generation.”
The roster also includes Sabrina Ionescu, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper, who will be making their Olympic debuts. Their inclusion marks a blend of fresh talent and seasoned expertise, ensuring that Team USA remains a formidable opponent.
The Complete 2024 USA Women’s Basketball Roster
Here’s the full roster for the USA women’s basketball team competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics:
- 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
- Diana Taurasi — Phoenix Mercury
- Alyssa Thomas — Connecticut Sun
- A’ja Wilson — Las Vegas Aces
- Jackie Young — Las Vegas Aces
Coaching Staff
The team will be coached by Cheryl Reeve, who is also the president of basketball operations and head coach of the Minnesota Lynx. Reeve’s extensive experience and strategic acumen will be crucial as the team navigates the competitive landscape of the Olympics. She will be supported by assistant coaches Mike Thibault (general manager for the Washington Mystics), Kara Lawson (head coach at Duke University), and Joni Taylor (head coach at Texas A&M University). This coaching team previously led the USA to gold at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, demonstrating their capability to achieve top results on the international stage.
Notable Absence
One notable absence from the team is WNBA star Caitlin Clark. Despite her stellar performances, Clark did not make the final roster. This decision highlights the depth and talent pool available to USA Basketball, where even top performers face stiff competition for a spot on the Olympic team.
Legacy and Expectations
The USA women’s basketball team has a storied legacy of success, having won seven consecutive gold medals. This impressive streak began at the 1996 Atlanta Games and has continued unbroken, underscoring the dominance of USA women’s basketball on the global stage. Taurasi’s inclusion in the team adds a layer of historical continuity, as she aims to pass on the legacy of excellence to the next generation.
Schedule and Games
The team’s journey in the Paris Olympics begins on Monday, July 29, with their first game against Japan. This will be followed by a matchup against Belgium on Thursday, August 1, and then Germany on Sunday, August 4. The knockout stages, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches, are scheduled for August 7, 9, and 11, respectively. These games will be critical in determining whether the USA can maintain their gold-winning streak.
How to Watch
Fans can catch all the action of the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC. The USA games, along with the broader Olympic coverage, will be broadcast on NBC and its sister networks. Additionally, the events will be available for streaming on Peacock, providing multiple viewing options for fans across the country. (Peacock is owned by TODAY.com’s parent company, NBCUniversal.)
Conclusion
The USA women’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics is a blend of experienced veterans and dynamic new talent, all set to defend their gold medal legacy. Led by the legendary Diana Taurasi and guided by an accomplished coaching staff, the team is poised to face the challenges ahead with determination and skill. As the world watches, these 12 women will not only compete for victory but also carry forward a tradition of excellence that has defined USA Basketball for decades.
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