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LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 14: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces smiles after the game against the Phoenix Mercury on May 14, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-2152478932-1024x682-1.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 14: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces smiles after the game against the Phoenix Mercury on May 14, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
Team USA Women’s Basketball team is packing their bags and heading to Paris with one goal in mind: the eighth straight Olympic gold medal. They have their sights set on a feat that no team has ever accomplished. There is no doubt that pressure is on, but if there’s one thing we know about this team, they always have a way to find victory. Let’s dive in and see what Head Coach Cheryl Reeve might be cooking up to secure that coveted gold medal.
With a roster brimming with skills, the possibilities for the starting lineup are endless. But, what combination of players holds the potential for a powerful strategy which can deliver the best results?
Team USA starting five: Blend of experience and versatility
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For Team USA, having a well-balanced lineup is key to controlling the tempo and maximizing every opportunity on the court and the following combination could just be perfect to deliver on that.
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Who should be the starting point guard for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics?
Sue Bird
Sabrina Ionescu
Chelsea Gray
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Do you think the French President's U-turn on the Seine River situation is justified?
Yes, it's a necessary move
No, it's a waste of investment
Undecided
Whats your Perspective on:
Can A'ja Wilson lead Team USA to Olympic gold, or will they fall short in 2024?
Have an interesting take?
Do you think Fred Richard has what it takes to surpass Olympic glory?
Absolutely
Maybe
Not sure
No way
What does Roger Federer's racket at the Olympics Museum symbolize the most?
His unparalleled legacy
The golden era of tennis
Swiss pride
The ultimate sportsmanship
- Diana Taurasi
- Sabrina Ionescu
- Chelsea Gray
- Breanna Stewart
- A’ja Wilson
To begin with, Diana Taurasi has proved age doesn’t matter as she averages 16.1 points with 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Her experience will put her in the team leader’s role and she can be a first-pick shooting guard in the lineup. And if we combine her clutch-shooting with Sabrina Ionescu’s all-round play and Chelsea Gray’s play-making brain then we can expect a dynamic game on the field. The inclusion of Sabrina Ionescu, NCAA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, adds a fresh element to the team. Averaging an impressive 19.4 points and 6.2 assists this season, this young talent is a standout contender for the point guard spot.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1726770995-scaled-1.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
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BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 15: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles the ball during Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals on October 15, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
Chelsea Gray, who is often called The Point God, could see her role shift with this team to the center position. Known for her exceptional playmaking, the Aces star’s WNBA career has 4.7 assists per game, as per ESPN. That puts her among the league’s elite passers. With Gray and Ionescu facilitating, the team can maximize spacing which will allow forward players to exploit mismatches and create high-percentage scoring opportunities. Gray’s addition will also provide a scope for linking up with Taurasi and applying pressure on the perimeter as well, while Ionescu’s anticipating skills can lead to steals and transition opportunities for the team.
What’s your perspective on:
Can A'ja Wilson lead Team USA to Olympic gold, or will they fall short in 2024?
Have an interesting take?
In the front, two-time WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart can be an obvious choice for the forward position with 19.3 points and 9 rebounds per game this season. Pairing up with the New York Liberty Star will surely be her WNBA rival, A’ja Wilson, making for an unstoppable duo. The versatility of Stewart and Wilson will allow the team to switch on defense seamlessly, disrupting opposing offenses and forcing turnovers. Wilson’s inclusion will bring an additional threat as she can combine with Gray in pick-and-roll scenarios which will be challenging for any defense to contain, creating open shots for perimeter players and easy baskets inside.
This combination provides a perfect blend of experience, versatility, and dynamism. However, the depth on the bench can be just as crucial for any team’s successful campaign. Let’s take a look at the set of potential reserves for Team USA.
Team USA bench depth
- Jewell Loyd/Kelsey Plum
- Jackie Young
- Kahleah Copper
- Napheesa Collier/Alyssa Thomas
- Brittney Griner
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Whether it’s Jewell Loyd or Kelsey Plum, having either of these sharpshooters on the bench can create a decisive impact on games. Loyd averaged almost 19.7 points per game this season, while Plum shot 37.4% from beyond the arc which showcases their offensive prowess. Jackie Young can be another sparking element on the bench as she also has an impressive WNBA season, scoring 18.5 points and 1.1 steals every game.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-10-15T220341Z_334785564_MT1USATODAY21657688_RTRMADP_3_WNBA-FINALS-LAS-VEGAS-ACES-AT-NEW-YORK-LIBERTY.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 15, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) talks with an official in the second quarter against the New York Liberty during game three of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Known for her ability to guard multiple positions, Kahleah Copper’s defensive prowess and relentless energy make her a valuable additional asset. She has a whopping average of 23.3 points per game this season. The addition of Mercury’s star Brittney Griner, famous for her shot-blocking ability and scoring inside, can have a great impact as well. She has averaged 1.4 blocks with 6.4 rebounds per game in this WNBA edition.
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Moreover, Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas will offer additional versatility and toughness in the frontcourt. Collier’s ability to play both forward positions and Thomas’s all-around game ensure that the team maintains a strong presence in the paint. Collier averages 20 points while Thomas has made almost 8 assists every game this season.
The synergy between all these players is going to be crucial for Team USA’s success. Their collective skills and chemistry set the stage for a compelling and strategic approach, making Team USA a formidable contender for the gold at the 2024 Olympics.
Debate
Can A'ja Wilson lead Team USA to Olympic gold, or will they fall short in 2024?