For Team USA, it was a chance to continue its gold medal streak. As defending champions, they were expected to add another gold to USA’s tally. But nothing of the sort happened, as they returned this week with a bronze medal. This obviously has hurt America’s hope for gold, but it’s not entirely the players’ fault. At least, four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes believes it.

On August 7th, Sheryl Swoopes joined forces with the host of Queens of the Court, Jordan Robinson to discuss the basketball in Olympics. As Robinson gave a description of the game while informing the listeners that Team USA had just lost to Spain, Swoopes interjected, saying, “We got cheated.” The 3x Olympic gold medalist then recalled the 3*3 team’s journey so far with Cameron Brink’s injury, the initial losses, and the comeback to sympathize.

“I just feel like they went through so much to get here… and hopefully come home with a bronze medal. Coming home with bronze is better than coming home with nothing,” she added.

It all happened in the second to last game. Despite earlier setbacks with three consecutive losses, the American roster barely made a comeback. It was time to face off against Team Spain, and Team USA did so while standing neck and neck.

Even to the last second, the two teams matched each other’s scores after the intense back-and-forth throughout. Rhyne Howard and Sandra Ygueravide stuck a one-pointer each with 13 and 5 seconds left on the clock, respectively. The overtime then saw just two points made and that came off a free throw by Ygueravide with six seconds left. The Spaniards finished the game with 7 free throw attempts, 6 making the basket, and USA 1 of 3.

And that’s how Team USA was limited from the gold run in Paris. Well, it may seem fair at first glance, but according to Sheryl Swoopes, Team USA was ‘cheated.’ However, she’s not the only person who believes this. In fact, Swoopes just nodded to Team USA.

It was all planned.

Defeating the Canadian roster to return with a bronze from Paris was a bittersweet win for Team USA. Thanks to the referees of the game. According to Hailey Van Lith, who contributed eight points in the semifinals, the game was “1000% BS.” After the game, she told Fox News, “They were flopping left and right. They are not that good. Great job, ladies; we know who should have won.”

It’s not only her, but the entire American roster had the same take on their loss to Spain. Though her teammates took a different route. “Not the medal we wanted, obviously, but I don’t want to take away from the moment,.. A lot of gratitude, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears were invested into this. That’s so cliché, but it’s so true,” added Burdick.

Even if it was unfair, nothing is going to change now. In Olympics history, Team USA will be marked as third, Spain as second, and Germany as first at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But the question is: Will Team USA 5×5 vying for their eighth consecutive medal experience bias from referees? Until now, it’s fair. But stay tuned to know!

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 NCAA Star Asia Avinger.