After the distressing loss against Team WNBA in the All-Star game, one can hope that the next clash for the Paris Olympics team will showcase a better result. Team USA is set for a fixture against the German women’s basketball team in London on Tuesday. The exhibition game will be a crucial one as it will set the tone for the upcoming Olympics and also show whether A’ja Wilson & Co. have recovered from their loss.

The winner of the game will depend on a few star players who will give their best to help their team emerge victorious. Today, EssentiallySports takes a look at the players, the starting five, and everything that will matter in the game.

Players to Watch

One of the key players for the German team will be Emily Bessoir. Bessoir plies her trade for the UCLA Bruins and will start her senior year from 2024-25 season onwards. She averages a decent 8.6 points with 5.5 rebounds per game. Therefore, Bessoir will be a crucial player to watch considering she has experience of the American basketball circuit and is well acquainted with the playing style of her opponents. If Germany is to win this game, then Bessoir will have to be at the peak of her game.

Another player to keep an eye on is Satou Sabally. Last WNBA season, Sabally scored a whopping 18.6 points with 8.1 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists. Hence, she can contribute in every department and her experience of playing in the WNBA will come in handy.

For Team USA, one of the most important players will be A’ja Wilson. Wilson has been a points machine in this year’s WNBA. The Las Vegas Aces center sits atop the points average list with 27.2 points per game. During her team’s loss to the Team WNBA in the All-Star game, Wilson scored a whopping 22 points. If Team USA are to make an impact in their exhibition game, then Wilson will have to step up to the occasion.

The second player who can change things for Team USA is going to be Diana Taurasi. Taurasi is the most experienced player on the Team USA roster. She is one of the best players not only in the WNBA but also internationally. Taurasi will have to understand the gameplay of her opponents and counter them by creating scoring opportunities for her team. If Taurasi gets going, then there is no one stopping Team USA.

Head to Head

As per AiScore, Team USA and Team Germany have squared off against each other four times with USA winning three of those clashes. The most recent of them took place in the FIBA World Cup in 2023 which the USA lost by a 113-111 margin. Hence, Germany has proved that they too can rise to the occasion and defeat the USA. All in all, it’s going to be an interesting clash.

Prediction & Injury Report

Going by the recent clash of Germany against the USA, the upcoming game can be an offensive treat for the fans. Both teams rely on an aggressive strategy of scoring and hence the contest will surely be a nail-biter. However, going by the experience that Team USA carries, A’ja Wilson & Co. can sweep the match. Nonetheless, it is going to be an exciting watch for the hooping enthusiasts.

Moving on to the injury report, Satou Sabally was injured during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in February and will be making a comeback in this contest.

Starting 5

Team USA: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu

Team Germany: Emily Bessoir, Satou Sabally, Marie Berthold, Lina Sontag, Marie Guelich

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.