As Team USA gears up for their Olympic journey starting July 30 against Japan, the excitement surrounding their quest for a historic eighth gold is palpable. With a storied history and a roster brimming with talent, this year’s squad is poised to continue the tradition of excellence that has become synonymous with American women’s basketball. But, behind every successful team is a coach who has not only shaped their strategies but also left an indelible mark on the sport. 

In the pantheon of influential coaches who have helmed Team USA Women’s Basketball at the Olympics, three personalities stand out as transformative figures who have revolutionized the game. Let’s delve into their remarkable careers and their impact on Team USA’s Olympic legacy.

Cheryl Reeve: The Current Boss

Let’s start with the current boss. Cheryl Reeve is the name on everyone’s lips right now. She’s the head coach of the US women’s basketball team, and she’s got a huge job. The pressure is on for her to keep the gold medal streak alive, the eighth gold in a row it can be for Team USA.

Nevertheless, Reeve isn’t new to handling pressure—she’s built a dynasty with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA, and the figures prove very well why she is one of the best in WNBA history. She’s led the Lynx to four championships, and her numbers are phenomenal. With over 280 regular season wins and 40 playoff wins, she’s got a winning percentage of .600. No wonder she’s been part of the US basketball team for years.

This Olympics will be her first time in the hot seat as head coach on the grand stage, but she’s been soaking up knowledge for a while. She was an assistant coach for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Games. And just to show everyone she’s the real deal, she led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA World Cup. So yes, she’s got the experience and the winning mentality. 

So we’ve talked about Cheryl Reeve, the boss lady of Team USA. But before she was calling the shots, she was learning from the best. Let’s give a shout-out to the coaches who helped shape her into the basketball mastermind she is today.

Dawn Staley: The Visionary Leader

Before Cheryl Reeve, there was Dawn Staley, the face behind leading Team USA to seventh gold in the Tokyo Olympics. Staley started coaching while still playing in the WNBA. She took on the Temple University women’s team and turned them into a pretty solid squad. But, she wanted more. So, she moved on to the University of South Carolina.

Building a winning team takes time, and Staley knew that. She slowly but surely built a powerhouse program. The highlight? Winning the national championship in 2017. That team was stacked! Three of her players were picked in the first round of the WNBA draft that year. That’s how good she was at developing talent.

While she was killing it in college, she got a dream call from the US women’s team and she chose to deliver on the expectations. She didn’t waste any time proving she was the right person for the job as she led the US team to a gold medal at the 2018 World Cup. And then, she did it again, this time even a bigger one, bringing home Olympic gold in Tokyo.

After conquering the world stage, Staley decided to focus her energy back on her college team. She passed the torch to Cheryl Reeve for the national team, knowing she was leaving it in good hands. After spotlighting Cheryl Reeve and Dawn Staley, it’s impossible not to give a nod to the other influential coach, who Reeve worked alongside.

Geno Auriemma: The Dynasty Builder

No discussion of women’s basketball is complete without mentioning Geno Auriemma. The architect of the UConn dynasty, Auriemma has redefined the sport. His teams have been synonymous with dominance, winning an astonishing 11 national championships between 1995 and 2016. While his primary focus has been on the collegiate level, his influence on the national team is undeniable.

Geno Auriemma took charge of the U.S. women’s national basketball team in 2009, and his impact has been phenomenal. Under his leadership, the team captured two consecutive gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. But Auriemma’s success didn’t start there—he also led Team USA to two FIBA World Cup victories in 2010 and 2014. His tenure is truly one of the most illustrious in the history of women’s basketball.

These three extraordinary coaches have played a pivotal role in shaping the very base of Team USA. As the team embarks on its Olympic journey, the legacies of coaches like Cheryl Reeve, Dawn Staley, and Geno Auriemma are more crucial than ever. Their transformative influence has shaped the team’s success and continues to inspire the quest for gold.

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.