That was my first thought as well. The goal should be to get the best and most consistent players to represent us at the Olympics. The world is catching up and giving legacy spots seems like a surefire way to not get the gold.
2024 Olympics team discussion...
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But isn’t that basically what they did for Catchings in the last Olympics?
Blue Huskie
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As for the DT Olympic question. This is a team sport and I wouldn't discount the PR value USA Basketball would place on her inclusion. The media loves these stories of consecutive appearances and gold medals. She certainly wouldn't hurt the team as they have plenty of bodies. Also this is a situation where she only has to play very limited minutes. The reason (for the most part) she isn't playing her best basketball lately is because she has played too many minutes for her age. As you recall Seattle managed Sue Bird's minutes very well and very carefully in her last few seasons. Unfortunately the Mercury's questionable management team is not very good at such things.
bbsamjj
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Catchings' last Olympics was in 2016. That was the year the selection committee left out Candace Parker; most felt she was left off in favor of either Catchings or Stewart.
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Thanks for the correction.
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Agreed that Catchings was the last player used in 2016 but I have no idea if that spot was “saved” for her or what. Catchings was still playing at a pretty high level when the team was announced.
I don’t have an issue if DT makes it in 2024 but I don’t think she should get it “just because” of who she is. It depends on who else is available and the health of everyone by the time it rolls around.
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Groups for February qualifiers. The top two teams besides France and the United States in their groups will join them along with the top three teams in the other two groups. Canada, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela play for the last two Americas spots in November.
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Will be interesting to see who Canada sends to the Americas event next month. Can't see Edwards, Prosper, Ejim or Russell being available. Hopefully Nurse, Carleton and Amihere will be this time around.
Groups for February qualifiers. The top two teams besides France and the United States in their groups will join them along with the top three teams in the other two groups. Canada, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela play for the last two Americas spots in November.
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I can remember that during the Olympic selections before the last one, the reational for adding Bird and DT was the veteran leadership they would add. Well this last Olympic team was certanly not lacking in that respect. They played better as a team than any I have seen previously. They were also very good defensivly. Might bringing back an Alpha player who is past their prime might actually hurt the chemistry the present players have with each other. Would DT even settle for being an end of the bench player who does not try to help run the team? I think that problem reared its ugly head between Diggens and DT with the Merc. Its not just DT's physical decline, but also her dominate personalities affect on the present team. Would respect for her legacy impell the present leaders to defer to her in respect to leadership?
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Based on the performance of the 2022 World Cup roster, this question may have already been answered. The roster in Australia had plenty of alpha players to fill the gap.
bballnut90
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Hard to say and depends on the group of players. I don't think DT is close to being one of the top guards in the USA right now and would prefer a spot go to a younger guard. Would much rather see someone like Plum, Laney, Clark, Copper, Arike or Young get the spot. I'm also not sold on Diggins-Smith taking a spot either to be honest, though she was playing at a very high level last year. She's never been a player who screams, "team chemistry" and I don't know if she'll do well as a leader for USA basketball. I think it's crystal clear though that those 2 probably shouldn't be on the roster together based on interactions over the past year and a half.
bbsamjj
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The DT decision might become moot anyway given her health. Over the past 5 seasons she's missed 40% of the Mercury's games. When you have such depth at Team USA's disposal, you don't want to have to rely on someone who may not be at 100%.
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triaddukefan
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Roster for one of the National Team games.
Wasn't planning to attend, but perhaps i can drive down there to boo a few of the National Team players... Not saying which ones
Or would that be unpatriotic??? Who is the coach of the team?
Wasn't planning to attend, but perhaps i can drive down there to boo a few of the National Team players... Not saying which ones
Or would that be unpatriotic??? Who is the coach of the team?
The PG position seems to be the biggest question at this point. Gray seemed like the likely starter with maybe Ionescu as the backup, but if Gray can't go Caitlin or Paige might be a possibility, but obviously February wouldn't work for either but they could be available by summer.
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Not sure how they would be selected over others on this list like Plum, Howard or Ogunbowale. I think the PG pool is deeper than what you believe.
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I really don't think Arike or Rhyne would be the ideal PG for Team USA and while Plum can play it reasonably well, I'm don't think she should be the primary ball handler. I feel the same way about Ionescu, Young or Loyd.
Honestly Team USA did themselves no favors with PG depth by relying on Sue for so many years and never truly breaking in another guard. Gray is easily the best in the game right now but her health is a concern. PB and Clark may be pressed into action a little sooner than expected if there is a need.
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Good point regarding the reliance on Bird. The Gray injury situation is definitely something to monitor. Has there been an official diagnosis yet? I think we're still in the dark on that.
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To my knowledge there is nothing official on Gray.
Before the 2016 Olympics I was basically saying to anyone who cared or listened the US team needed to bring in at least one young guard to help out Bird and DT. Then I watched the tournament and was stunned at how good the two of them looked. This was after both women changed their fitness and training programs. It added years to both their careers I wouldn't have guessed.
That being said the team still didn't have a young guard on it. In 21 the team had SDS, Gray, Loyd and Atkins so it helped but the availability/willingness to play is up in the air for the two natural PGs of those 4. I could easily see Clark or PB being called into action if needed.
I just don't seeing Team USA using a PG that is potentially still in college. The PG role is so important and the physicality of FIBA is way different than the NCAA. Wouldn't be surprised if we see some of AT playing point forward to help in that position. At the end of the day having a healthy BG, A'ja, Stewie and AT is basically impossible to beat on both ends of the floor.
MilfordHusky
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The best options at PG are now (1) a player who has an unspecified, though potentially serious injury and (2) another player who retired a full year ago. I hope Chelsea will be ok.
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Surely if Chelsea’s injury was that serious we would have heard. Dont think it’s an Achilles. She didn’t have the boot on during the parade, but said she will wear it to the Drake concert. She was walking pretty good at the celebration.
bballnut90
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Agree regarding Sue, though I don’t think you can fault USA after she was so good for so long and such a respected player and leader.
They also expected to have Gray and SDS available this cycle, but if Gray has a torn Achilles she might not be ready to play and SDS/Taurasi are oil and water which means SDS is probably out. With all of their politics, I am guessing USA basketball will prioritize giving Diana a 6th gold over giving a younger player an opportunity. Honestly though USA is fine regardless of who is on the roster. They could create a USA-B and USA-C team and our country would finish with gold/silver/bronze. The depth of talent in the USA is so much deeper than anywhere else in the world and they can afford to pick and choose who they want on the roster without risking to lose the gold medal. There also isn’t another powerful basketball country like Russia or Australia in the 00s who had talent capable of upsetting the US.
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bbsamjj
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While it wasn't the wrong decision, USA basketball got in a bit of a bind at the PG spot because they relied for a while on two of the greatest of all time--Sue Bird and Lindsey Whalen--who both happened to be around the same age.
That lead Courtney Vandersloot, who dreamed of playing on the USA team, to decide to play for Hungary after 2016: Courtney Vandersloot now a part of Hungary’s national team program
There are other options: Natasha Cloud is fantastic, but may be a bit too controversial for team USA's liking. I'd also give Jordan Canada a look. She's a first team all WNBA defense selection who finally developed an outside shot!
That lead Courtney Vandersloot, who dreamed of playing on the USA team, to decide to play for Hungary after 2016: Courtney Vandersloot now a part of Hungary’s national team program
There are other options: Natasha Cloud is fantastic, but may be a bit too controversial for team USA's liking. I'd also give Jordan Canada a look. She's a first team all WNBA defense selection who finally developed an outside shot!
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The boot was on prior to Chelsea getting one stage at the parade. Recall seeing a picture of her and Colson hamming it up while she rolled in on her scooter. She even joked about taking it off when on stage for that portion of the celebration. It definitely was on during the Usher concert.
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Cloud already played for Jordan's national team so she is no longer an option.
Dillon77
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Team U.S.A. Qualifies both Women, Men for Paris Olympics 2024
According to this article by Brian Windhorst in ESPN:
"USA Basketball is the first federation to qualify both men's and women's 3x3 and 5x5 teams for the Paris Olympics. The men's 5x5 national team earned a spot last summer by finishing fourth at the World Cup in Manila. The women qualified by winning the World Cup in 2022 in Sydney. Both teams won gold in 2021.
"The women's 3x3 team holds a No. 2 FIBA ranking, earning an Olympic berth along with No. 1 China and No. 3 France. The American women won the World Cup gold last summer iand the Pan Am gold last month. Team USA won the first 3x3 women's Olympic gold in 2021 in Tokyo."
www.espn.com
In regards to the women, it will be interesting to see what direction U.S.A. basketball goes in regarding who plays on the team for the Olympics. Three key members from 2021 -- Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray and Jackie Young -- are in line to be on the 5x5 team this time around. The last American World Cup team consisted of two former WNBA and collegiate players -- Cierra Burdick and Linnae Harper -- and two collegians: Cameron Brink and Hayley Van Lith. The Pan Am team consisted of Burdick, Azura Stevens, Blake Dietrick and and Lexie Hull.
Think it's safe to say that while those seven will be under consideration, the lens will be opened up considerably for the Olympics, particularly for guards who might not make the 5x5 team. For instance, Arike Ogunbowale -- who has competed and won medals in 3x3 competition -- could be in play here. Of those seven, Azura Stevens and Cameron Brink would offer height and movement at the "big" position and Burdick seems to a constant (and also 6'2"). Still, I'd expect other names to be floated....
Stay tuned!
According to this article by Brian Windhorst in ESPN:
"USA Basketball is the first federation to qualify both men's and women's 3x3 and 5x5 teams for the Paris Olympics. The men's 5x5 national team earned a spot last summer by finishing fourth at the World Cup in Manila. The women qualified by winning the World Cup in 2022 in Sydney. Both teams won gold in 2021.
"The women's 3x3 team holds a No. 2 FIBA ranking, earning an Olympic berth along with No. 1 China and No. 3 France. The American women won the World Cup gold last summer iand the Pan Am gold last month. Team USA won the first 3x3 women's Olympic gold in 2021 in Tokyo."
U.S. men, women 3x3 hoops earn Olympic berths
The Team USA men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics via their No. 2 spot in the FIBA rankings.
www.espn.com
In regards to the women, it will be interesting to see what direction U.S.A. basketball goes in regarding who plays on the team for the Olympics. Three key members from 2021 -- Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray and Jackie Young -- are in line to be on the 5x5 team this time around. The last American World Cup team consisted of two former WNBA and collegiate players -- Cierra Burdick and Linnae Harper -- and two collegians: Cameron Brink and Hayley Van Lith. The Pan Am team consisted of Burdick, Azura Stevens, Blake Dietrick and and Lexie Hull.
Think it's safe to say that while those seven will be under consideration, the lens will be opened up considerably for the Olympics, particularly for guards who might not make the 5x5 team. For instance, Arike Ogunbowale -- who has competed and won medals in 3x3 competition -- could be in play here. Of those seven, Azura Stevens and Cameron Brink would offer height and movement at the "big" position and Burdick seems to a constant (and also 6'2"). Still, I'd expect other names to be floated....
Stay tuned!
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It may depend on how much massaging USA Basketball and the players are willing to do to get the rankings manipulated to get players they want in the right place. Two of the four players must be in the top 10 individual ranking of players that nationality. For the United States right now, that is:Team U.S.A. Qualifies both Women, Men for Paris Olympics 2024
According to this article by Brian Windhorst in ESPN:
"USA Basketball is the first federation to qualify both men's and women's 3x3 and 5x5 teams for the Paris Olympics. The men's 5x5 national team earned a spot last summer by finishing fourth at the World Cup in Manila. The women qualified by winning the World Cup in 2022 in Sydney. Both teams won gold in 2021.
"The women's 3x3 team holds a No. 2 FIBA ranking, earning an Olympic berth along with No. 1 China and No. 3 France. The American women won the World Cup gold last summer iand the Pan Am gold last month. Team USA won the first 3x3 women's Olympic gold in 2021 in Tokyo."
U.S. men, women 3x3 hoops earn Olympic berths
The Team USA men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics via their No. 2 spot in the FIBA rankings.
In regards to the women, it will be interesting to see what direction U.S.A. basketball goes in regarding who plays on the team for the Olympics. Three key members from 2021 -- Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray and Jackie Young -- are in line to be on the 5x5 team this time around. The last American World Cup team consisted of two former WNBA and collegiate players -- Cierra Burdick and Linnae Harper -- and two collegians: Cameron Brink and Hayley Van Lith. The Pan Am team consisted of Burdick, Azura Stevens, Blake Dietrick and and Lexie Hull.
Think it's safe to say that while those seven will be under consideration, the lens will be opened up considerably for the Olympics, particularly for guards who might not make the 5x5 team. For instance, Arike Ogunbowale -- who has competed and won medals in 3x3 competition -- could be in play here. Of those seven, Azura Stevens and Cameron Brink would offer height and movement at the "big" position and Burdick seems to a constant (and also 6'2"). Still, I'd expect other names to be floated....
Stay tuned!
| 1 | 7 | 147 | Arica Carter | United States | 180,569 |
| 2 | 13 | 178 | Camille Zimmerman | United States | 153,998 |
| 3 | 15 | 182 | Cierra Burdick | United States | 149,734 |
| 4 | 32 | 242 | Blake Dietrick | United States | 113,420 |
| 5 | 37 | 252 | Hailey Van Lith | United States | 109,748 |
| 6 | 39 | 263 | Linnae Harper | United States | 106,624 |
| 7 | 64 | 392 | Madison Teonie Christiana Scott | United States | 77,831 |
| 8 | 69 | 430 | Cameron Brink | United States | 73,424 |
| 9 | 74 | 457 | Azana Nahimana Baines | United States | 69,891 |
| 10 | 79 | 483 | Caroline Littlefield | United States | 66,391 |
The highest ranked player who finished the last WNBA season on a team is Lexie Hull. For Tokyo, USA Basketball created a bunch of tournaments that involved the players they wanted, a bunch of other people who were available, including Kelly Faris, and DII college players. Slovenia was apparently really pursuing Azura Stevens for naturalization, but if she makes the Olympic 3x3 team, that could mean that turning them down does not hurt her as much financially.
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