When the Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi was selected for the Team USA roster, she received a lot of backlash from fans. The 42-year-old, as per some of her critics, was considered quite old to represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics. But, it’s not only the USA that is picking experienced athletes. In the Olympics, veterans have often become the backbone of their respective teams.

Today, EssentiallySports takes a look at the 7 oldest players who will be plying their trade in the Paris Olympics.

Diana Taurasi (USA, 42)

Taurasi is the second oldest player in the Paris Olympics only behind Australia’s Lauren Jackson. Taurasi’s selection also sparked a lot of controversy among the WNBA fans. She was the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2004 WNBA draft. Since then, Taurasi has been plying her trade for the team.

The California-born is considered one of the best playmakers in the WNBA and hopefully, will help her team bag their eighth consecutive gold medal. In the current W season, Taurasi averages 16.1 points with 4.8 rebounds per game which is a testament that she has only got better with experience. How Team USA utilizes her wisdom is something every fan will be hoping to see in the Paris Olympics.

Lauren Jackson (Australia, 43)

Lauren Jackson will be the oldest player to ply her trade in women’s basketball in the Paris Olympics this season. Not many would remember but Jackson was the first overall pick by the Seattle Storm in the 2001 WNBA draft. She has proved her mettle in the WNBA as she averaged a spectacular 18.9 points with 7.7 rebounds per game which goes on to show that she is an exemplary shooter.

But, she had to retire due to her injuries. Nonetheless, she will be making a comeback for her fifth Olympics this year and fans are excited to see her in action. Hopefully, she will dominate the game much like she has done in previous times.

Pamela Rosado (Puerto Rico, 38)

If anyone’s heard of Pamela Rosaaldo, they would remember the moment when she scored 3 rebounds and an equal number of assists in a crucial game against Korea during the 2022 World Cup. That helped her team win the game by a 92-73 margin. Though the 38-year-old hasn’t been in her best form these days, she will definitely prove to be an asset for Puerto Rico.

Most recently, she represented Puerto Rico in the Olympic qualifiers and fans would be hoping that she gets back her form soon. Even if she doesn’t, it is her positive attitude that can set the team atmosphere and help Puerto Rico make a mark in this Olympics.

Romy Bar (Germany, 37)

Romy Bar much like her name has set the bar in Euro League. She plays for the French Club BLMA and fans would be happy to know that this season against the Turkish club Fenerbahce, Bar scored 16 points with 8 rebounds showing her finesse in both the departments.

She will be representing Germany in the Paris Olympics. And she sure will set the stage on fire since coming to this tournament Bar has demonstrated her offensive and rebounding skills with 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Asami Yoshida (Japan, 36)

Asami Yoshida is a 36-year-old Japanese star who has been in the limelight since 2006. The 9× WJBL Champion represents the JX-Eneos Sunflowers and also clinched the WJBL Most Valuable Player in 2012. She has also bagged gold at the FIBA Asia Cup thrice in Thailand, China, and India.

Plus, she also led her team to two bronze medals during the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010. Fans would be expecting Yoshida to utilize her experiences and make the most of them for her team, helping them to a formidable position in the Paris Olympics.

Sami Whitcomb (Australia, 36)

Whitcomb is a WNBA star who has represented the New York Liberty and Seattle Storm in the WNBA. She was born in Ventura, California but chose to become an Australian citizen in 2018. Whitcomb has become a mainstay for the Opals over the years and they have been making proper use of her WNBA experience.

Even in the upcoming Paris Olympics, her fans would be hoping that Whitcomb would help the Opals to a dominant position, winning medals in the quadrennial event. Whitcomb who had once started basketball in order to keep close to her father has definitely echoed her parents’ name in eternity with her exemplary skills.

Cayla George (Australia, 35)

Another Australian star on the list is Cayla George. She has been playing since 2005 and apart from the WNBL has also plied her trade for the Seattle Storm and the Las Vegas Aces. Considering the Opals have such an experienced squad, they would be looking to give tough competition to Team USA.

The 4x WNBL Champion also won the Championship title in the WNBA in 2023. Other than that, she has led her national team to a gold in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Though her averages in the WNBA haven’t been the best, this is the opportune moment to prove her mettle at the highest level.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.