France v USA: women’s Olympic basketball final – live updates

They’re the US. What else do you need to know?

Those of us of a certain age remember that beating the Soviet Union was a big, big deal. But the U.S. still won gold in 1988, in addition to the boycotted 1984 Games. After winning bronze in 1992, losing to the Soviet remnants on the “Unified Team” in the semifinals, and then winning bronze at the 1994 World Championships in a 110-107 loss to Brazil, the U.S. women have won seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and six of the last seven World Championships. Their only loss in either Olympic or World Championship competition came in the semifinals of the 2006 World Championships to Russia.

Four players from the mighty Las Vegas Aces are part of the team – A’ja Wilsonplaymaker Chelsea Grey, Jackie Jong And Kelsey Plum, . Wilson was the top pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Gray was held back by injuries at Duke (I’ll just mention my alma mater, the only one I’ll mention), but she emerged as a WNBA star. She and Wilson were both on the gold medal team in Tokyo. Young and Plum won gold in Tokyo on the 3×3 team.

For Caitlin Clark captured the public’s imagination, the young phenomenon in women’s basketball was Sabrina Ionescuwhose stellar career at the University of Oregon made her the top pick of 2020.

Wilson is the team’s top scorer in France with 18.2 points per game, closely followed by Breanna Stewart at 18.0. Young has added 11.0. Wilson also leads the team in rebounds (9.6) and blocks (2.4), while Gray has 5.4 assists per game while playing less than 15 minutes per game.

The captain was a controversial addition to the team – Diana Taurasi, one of the best players of all time, but at 42 years old not really an important player.

In Paris, the U.S. women won comfortably, but not overwhelmingly. Belgium, which blew the clock in the final phase and lost the bronze medal game to Australia earlier today, was tied with the U.S. after the first quarter, but lost 87-74. Nigeria stayed fairly close in the first half, fell far behind, but recovered and closed the final margin to 14.

France was not a major power in the 20th century and the 2000s, but reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games for the fourth time in a row, winning silver in 2012 and bronze in Tokyo.

No of the team’s players play in the WNBA, but four of the team’s core players previously played in the American league.

Female basketball players often switch between the WNBA and European or Asian leagues to maximize their earning potential, so it is not uncommon for them to decide to skip a WNBA season in an Olympic year.

Gabby Williamsoriginally from Nevada, played for UConn and was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. She spent five years in the WNBA and leads the French team in Paris in points per game (14.8) and minutes played (26:03). Marine Johanneswho grew up in France and came across the Atlantic to spend some time on the New York Liberty, is the only other player in double figures, averaging 12.2. Johannes was the MVP of the 2023 European Championship.

Like the French men’s team, the French women’s team has no shortage of centers.

Marieme Badiane (6’1″, no WNBA experience) is the leading rebounder with 5.6. Ilana Rupert (6-4) was the 12th pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft and won a championship with Las Vegas. The tallest (6-6) and youngest player was born in Cameroon Dominique Malongawho has only played occasionally at 18, but may be one to watch in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Badiane and Valeriane Ayayiwho once played for San Antonio, an average of about one and a half blocks per game.

The captain is 35 years old Sarah Michel.

Will we see the Games end with a continuation of some of the most impressive streaks of the Olympics?

Or are we in for a huge surprise?

And are we done complaining about Caitlin Clark not being on the US roster?

Let’s take a look at the final event of the Paris Olympics…