USA Women’s Olympic Basketball Qualifying Tournament

The United States women dominated the 2024 Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The USA already clinched a berth to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after winning gold at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia. However, a squad was put together and played in Antwerp, Belgium this past weekend. Donned in red, white and blue the team went 3-0 in group play defeating Belgium 81-79, Nigeria 100-46, and Senegal 101-39. The roster represented this weekend is not the final roster for the Olympics, rather is just for this Olympic Qualifying Tournament only.

Olympic Qualifying Tournament Roster

Ariel Atkins, guard, Washington Mystics

Aliyah Boston, forward, Indiana Fever

Napheesa Collier, combo guard/forward, Minnesota Lynx

Kahleah Copper, combo guard/forward, Phoenix Mercury

Rhyne Howard, guard, Atlanta Dream

Sabrina Ionescu, guard, New York Liberty

Jewell Loyd, guard, Seattle Storm

Kelsey Plum, guard, Las Vegas Aces

Breanna Stewart, center, New York Liberty

Diana Taurasi, guard, Phoenix Mercury

Alyssa Thomas, forward, Connecticut Sun

Jackie Young, guard, Las Vegas Aces

The coaches for the team were Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Lynx, Curt Miller, head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, and Mike Thibault, the winningest coach in WNBA history. Although the roster played well together, expect some changes when it comes to the Olympic Games.

Who Was Missing in Antwerp?

A’ja Wilson

Wilson recently published her first book, Dear Black Girls, and her book tour conflicted with the tournament. A’ja Wilson won gold in the 2022 and 2018 FIBA World Cup and 2020 Olympics. She was named the 2022 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year and 2022 FIBA World Cup MVP. During her first Olympic Games she started all six games and averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She was also at the 2024 USA Women’s National Team February training camp in New York. Wilson will definitely be playing in Paris as she was a huge contributor for the U.S.

Brittney Griner

Griner was also not in Antwerp. Griner was detained for ten months in Russia in 2022 while going abroad to play professional basketball during the WNBA’s offseason. Since Griner’s return to the states she stated she would not play overseas unless it was for the Olympics. Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Griner led the USA in the final game in the Tokyo Olympics with thirty points. Standing at 6-foot-9, Griner is a dominant presence on the court and her basketball IQ, skill and experience make her a must have at the Paris games. She was also at the training camp in February.

Chelsea Gray

Gray made her Olympic debut and earned her first gold medal in Tokyo 2020. She also competed in the 2022 FIBA World Cup winning gold. During that campaign she averaged 9.2 points, 2.3 and 5.3 assists per six games. Gray is also a five-time WNBA All-Star, WNBA three-time champion, finals MVP and Commissioner’s Cup MVP. Gray is an excellent floor general and leader. And, she also participated in the training camp in New York, so it is not a far stretch that she is anticipated to be in Paris this summer.

Standout Performer

Back in Antwerp, Napheesa Collier stood out for Team USA with excellent play all three games. The UConn alumni and Lynx veteran did not receive much time in the 2020 Olympic Games but should definitely be a main contributor this year. Coach Reeve said, “The group that started off the game, we were looking for that group building some chemistry. I thought they were exceptional, particularly with [Napheesa Collier], Alyssa [Thomas] and Breanna Stewart working their inside-outside and sharing the ball. I thought it set the tone for us.” per Hall, 2024.

Although the final Olympic roster is not set, Team USA looks to capture its eighth consecutive Gold Medal in Paris this summer.

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