Yes, Team USA is the best in the world, heavily-favored to win an eighth-straight gold. But, what national teams could credibly challenge the Americans for the spot on the top of the podium? Swish Appeal’s newest contributor Beckett Harrison power ranks the top five teams in the women’s 5×5 basketball competition at the 2024 Olympic Games:
1. United States
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: Minimal preparation
Active WNBA players: Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young
Since 1992, three things in life have been certain: death, taxes and Team USA winning gold in women’s basketball. Not only was the 1992 semifinal loss to the Unified Team (athletes representing recently-dissolved Soviet Union countries) the last time that the Americans failed to secure gold, it was the last time that they lost an Olympic game. Since then, it’s been nothing short of ascendancy. Seven-straight gold medals. Fifty-five-straight wins.
Not much needs to be said about the talent on the roster. A’ja Wilson is the best women’s basketball player in the universe. Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and Napheesa Collier headline a generational supporting cast. Diana Taurasi is looking to become the first basketball player with six Olympic golds.
The only lingering question surrounding Team USA stems from their rushed schedule. All 12 players are coming off a competitive half-season in the WNBA. They’ve only played two games as a group, losing to Team WNBA in the All-Star Game on Saturday before defeating Germany in London on Tuesday in their lone international friendly match before group play begins. Concern is at a minimum, but don’t be surprised if Team USA debuts with a slow start as chemistry is ironed out.
2. Australia
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Strengths: Experience, depth
Weaknesses: Lack of an “x-factor”
Active WNBA players: Rebecca Allen, Isobel Borlase*, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Alanna Smith, Stephanie Talbot, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb
*denotes a “draft & stash” player who hasn’t yet made their WNBA debut
Predicting which team has the best chance to upset Team USA is like predicting which color unicorn you’re going to see on your mid-morning walk. Australia is the second best team in the Olympics on paper, but the likelihood of that resulting in anything but a silver medal feels slim.
The Opals join Germany and Canada as the only non-American teams with multiple, active WNBA players. Germany has three and Canada has four. Australia has eight, making up the majority of their 12-player roster. They also have the legendary 43-year-old Lauren Jackson, who’s still competing in the WNBL after her illustrious 12-year WNBA career, in which she won a record-tying three MVP awards. It’s hard to believe that Jackson will see meaningful minutes in Paris, but her presence is a story nonetheless.
Australia has talent, they have depth and they have experience. It’s actually difficult to quantify their team success, as WNBA commitments prevent the majority of their roster from competing in non-Olympic international competitions. In the February Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Australia defeated Brazil, Germany and Serbia en route to a perfect 3-0 record.
