Decades After Michael Jordan-Led ?Dream Team?, ?76 Woman?s Olympic Squad Becomes the 1st Team to Get NBA Hall of Fame Enshrinement

The basketball world witnessed one of its most significant moments in 1992. The United States entered the Barcelona Olympics that year after a humiliating defeat in 1988 Seoul Olympics. After settling for a bronze medal, the USA contingent needed to get back to their dominant ways. This is when they decided to send in the greatest sports team ever assembled – The Michael Jordan-led Dream Team.

The Dream Team made history as the first ever American Olympics team that featured active NBA players. However, they did not stop there. The players were not only professionals from the NBA but also one of the greatest collection of talent from the league. However, another team that brought laurels to the nation recently made history. The 1976 Women’s Olympics Squad received the highest honor in basketball.

After the Dream Team, the ’76 Women’s squad shines

The United States boast of sheer dominance in the game of basketball around the world. Since its inception into the Olympic Games, USA has asserted its dominance on the world in the sport. However, the Dream Team made an impact no other team in the Olympics could make.

The team consisted of some of the greatest to ever play the game on the same roster. From Michael Jordan to David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and his rival, Larry Bird all constituted the legendary Dream Team. Their run in the Olympics went as expected, winning every game they played by an average of 44 points. They eventually brought gold medals back to their nation. Their phenomenal achievements were honored by inducting the team collectively into the Basketball Hall of Fame. However, the United States’ 1976 women’s basketball team received a similar treatment recently.

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The 1976 women’s basketball contingent may not have secured the gold medal but they changed the perspective of women’s basketball in the world. This team played a pivotal role in turning women?s basketball into a major player in the world of sports.

1976 women’s basketball team gets its flowers

The WNBA is currently one of the most watched events in the United States. The popularity of the $475M worth league has skyrocketed in the past few years. However, the 1976 USA women’s basketball team paved the way for the success of the league.

The team consisted of 12 women who went on to change the course of history in women’s basketball. Coming in as underdogs, the team shocked the world taking three out of five round-robin games. They eventually secured the silver medal, losing out on the gold to the favourites, USSR. Despite not winning the gold however, their influence changed the way women’s basketball is perceived. Their impact on women’s basketball marked the dawn of a new era for women?s basketball

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Their phenomenal impact has earned them an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. They became the first ever women’s team to be inducted into the prestigious ranks. Their glory and significance paved the way for women’s basketball to grow successful. The WNBA carried forward this very glorious reputation.