After dominating their group, Team USA clinched their spot in the Quarterfinals. Something similar was the case back in 2021 when the team brought home gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Still, more than the others, one player who can definitely differentiate the two experiences is Jewell Loyd. Her debut Olympic was not as thrilling as she would have hoped for. Hence, calling the Paris Summer Games her “first real Olympics,” the guard wishes to keep one thing in mind while playing.

With a star-studded roster for the Olympics, a few players may not get enough floor time. Loyd explains the toll it can take on a player. “You kind of get in your head like, ‘I didn’t get enough shots, I didn’t do my job… why didn’t coach play me,'” she conveyed. The Seattle Storm guard, who averaged about 18 minutes last Olympics, might have known the feeling too well.

So focusing on the larger goal, she stresses upon understanding “10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, all these minutes are for us to win. That’s the end goal.” Making the most of their minutes becomes important and Loyd arrived in Paris with the mindset. The mindset to take on the sixth-man role alongside a two-word advice to deliver on her intent – “no turnovers.” 

Sitting with Andscape, Jewell Loyd revealed, “I know how teams are aggressive when they guard us. So, I’m like no turnovers. if I have no turnovers in the game, we win. I’m good. Don’t turn the ball over.” Turnovers can be one of the worst things that a player can post as it gives an easy possession to the opposing team, something that Jewell Loyd thoroughly understands after recording 18 last Olympics.

Certainly, the 2x Olympian is doing what she promised. So far, Loyd has just one turnover in over 28 minutes of total time. Apart from that, she has also aptly aided the team in their quest for their tenth gold.

Jewell Loyd’s performance in a recap

The national women’s basketball team will be taking up Germany as their last matchup before they travel back to Paris. So far, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are leading their team quite well. Another support that they receive from the bench is Jewell Loyd. While the guard was not very helpful in the first game vs Japan, she found her rhythm in the second win vs Belgium.

So far, she has added 10 points to Team USA’s gauntlet in over 28 minutes on the floor. Moreover, she has a total of 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in her account. In a tough win over Belgium that certainly felt like a road game for Team USA, Jewell Loyd posted 42.9% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arc. These percentages put her as the second-best in shooting threes and fourth-best for field goals.

Despite not getting to be a starter in Team USA, Jewell Loyd has played to her expectations. This also shows how the entire group of basketball players is brimming with talent in the squad since no matter their position, they show up with their best face. Surely, as they move to Accor Arena in Paris for their next games after taking Germany tomorrow, the competition is only going to get hotter. However, there’s nothing that this 12-player roster cannot take care of.

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.