WNBA and USA Basketball Officially Announce 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team for Paris!
Some basketball enthusiasts are happy with the roster, while many others are not. Despite being stacked with veterans (ranging in age from 26-41), many hoop loving fans were hoping for some of the “young blood” to have a shot and opportunity at bringing some gold back home from Paris. However, the deciding committee went in a much different direction. Today, the WNBA and USA Basketball officially announced the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team for the Paris Olympics. And some newer favorites were left off the list.
Most notably, Indiana Fever’s, Caitlin Clark. A player who has helped to drastically increase jersey and ticket sales; plus broadcasting viewership. From a marketing standpoint, excluding someone like Clark seems like a head scratcher. However, others would be quick to argue that Caitlin’s turnovers would be quite a liability to team success while overseas. Yet, her scoring capabilities can certainly help to offset such a negative.
But what about Caitlin being a rookie? Does that weigh into the decision? No. Well, at least it shouldn’t, because that’s not been a part of the criteria in the past.
There have been four WNBA rookies that have made Olympic teams. Beginning in the late 90’s and last occurring in the mid 2010’s. There’s Rebecca Lobo in 1996, Diana Taurasi in 2004 and the dynamic Candace Parker in 2008. Most recently, Breanna “Stewie” Stewart made an Olympic team roster as a rookie in 2016.
Nevertheless, Clark is not the only player that caused a bit of an uproar when the Team USA roster was leaked. For instance, Wisconsin native Arike Ogunbowale was also left off the Olympics roster. A HUGE snub for the Dallas Wings star. This season Arike is averaging 26.6 points and 3.1 steals per game. Ranking second and first in the WNBA, respectively. Therefore, how does someone like this get left off a team going for gold?
Well, no matter how everyone may feel about the roster, there are players in the lineup that can definitely aid the team in making a successful run during the 2024 Olympics next month. Some may choose not to watch due to their fave not making the team. But the roster is still built to demolish the competition.
Furthermore, the women’s basketball team also has a great record and history for winning. Since the late 90s they have stood on business and the gold podium. Yes, from 1996 onward, the women have been the gold medal recipients. Therefore, the decision makers have been pretty successful at constructing teams that can face off against the rest of the world and kick butt.
WNBA and USA Basketball Officially Announce 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team for Paris!
Here’s who will be on the team:
- A’ja Wilson
- Breanna Stewart
- Alyssa Thomas
- Diana Taurasi
- Jackie Young
- Kelsey Plum
- Brittney Griner
- Jewell Loyd
- Napheesa Collier
- Kahleah Copper
- Chelsea Gray
- Sabrina Ionescu
This roster will have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. Win gold or bust. They have to win or face much scrutiny for not including a 27-year-old dominant powerhouse; or some of the popular rookies.
But still, the future is very bright for women’s basketball. Many of the Rookies like Caitlin, Angel, Kate and Cameron (Brink is on the 3×3 team, more on that later today); will most likely be on the 2028 Olympics team and beyond. Plus, with Paige and Juju coming in the future, women’s hoops will be entertaining for years to come. At home and on the global stage.
So then, it is going to be exciting to see Team USA vie for their eighth consecutive gold medal. Lynx head coach, Cheryl Reeve will continue her role as Team USA’s head coach. And you can catch all the action when the Paris Olympics kick off on July 26.
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