It’s almost time to see the world’s best women’s basketball players contend for the gold at this year’s Paris Olympics.
As the globe’s best talents head to France to square off on the women’s side, it’s worth considering what this year’s biggest storylines are on the hardwood and how the quest for the gold is taking shape for the biggest contenders.
While it’s clear that Team USA will make a big push repeat as world champions, other countries could absolutely challenge the Americans this year.
Let’s take a look at five things you need to know before this year’s Olympic Games get going for women’s basketball.
1. Team USA should be the favorite for the gold
With a roster featuring WNBA superstars like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi, Team USA enters the 2024 Paris Olympics as the favorites for the gold. It’s going to be a challenge for the other countries in the world to contend with this stellar roster.
2. Satou Sabally helps make Germany an intriguing contender
Sabally is one of the standout players for the Dallas Wings, and she’ll try to lead Germany in its first-ever appearance in the Olympic Games. She’s joined by her sister, New York Liberty forward Nyara Sabally, Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich, UCLA forward Lina Sontag and WNBA veteran center Marie Gülich on this historic squad.
3. Emma Meesseman leads the Belgium women’s national team an Olympic sleeper
Meeseman was the 2023 FIBA EuroBasket MVP, and Belgium won that tournament title last year. She’s a WNBA veteran who has Olympic experience after playing with the country in the 2021 Tokyo Games. She’s joined by Washington Mystics rookie guard Julie Vanloo and Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Allemand to make Belgium a sleeper contender.
4. Rui Machida leads a formidable Japan squad
After a three-year absence from the Japan women’s national team, Machida returns after she helped her country make the 2021 Tokyo Olympic finals against Team USA. The guard led the Olympics in assists three years ago and set the Olympic record for assists with 18 against France. If Japan is to make a real push for the gold this year, Machida will be a key role in that quest.
5. Gabby Williams is a standout for the France women’s national team
After missing the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023, Williams returns for France to help the team push for the gold against top contenders like Team USA and Japan. Could Williams help guide the France women’s national team to the top in Paris? That’d be quite the story.
