We know a bevy of information about Team USA and its star-studded roster as it enters the Rio Olympics with sights set on wearing gold once again at the conclusion of the Games.
There is a reason as to why the team is picked once again to reign supreme. With a roster that includes some of the best basketball players in the world, many of whom are already well-versed in the international game, such as Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne, Diana Taurasi, Britney Griner, Angel McCoughtry, and the rising star that is Breanna Stewart, Team USA is well poised to claim gold in Brazil.
The question, in this case, will be whether to predict gold for Team USA or “the field” as it is cause. The safe pick is Team USA while a few may pick one of the other teams.
Group B is where the team will be to start its portion of the competition. Here is a look at who they will be up against. (FIBA Rankings)
Photo Credit: Xinhua
China
The team representing China is currently ranked ninth in the world by FIBA. They went 3-2 in London and advanced to the knockout stages before losing in the quarterfinals to Australia by a final of 75-60.
Last month, the Chinese team played three exhibition matchups against Canada in Edmonton. Team Canada won all three matchups. Guess who China’s first opponent will be when group play commences?
Photo Credit: The Canadian Press
Canada
If you guessed Canada, you guessed correct.
Team USA’s neighbors North of the Border rank just below China at number nine. Canada also made it to the knockout stage four years ago before being dispatched by Team USA in what was a dominant 91-48 effort.
Canada’s team has talent fans of either The W or college basketball are familiar with—including Natalie Achonwa who also plays for the Indiana Fever and Kia Nurse, who played her collegiate ball for UConn and Geno Auriemma, who of course, is the coach for the Americans.
The Canadians’ goal is to get on the medal stand.
Photo Credit: FIBA
Senegal
This one somewhat classifies as a stunner. Senegal is only ranked 24th per FIBA, well-below the powerhouses of the USA, Australia, and even Canada. It is their first appearance in the Games since 2000 in Sydney.
Senegal punched its ticked to Brazil by virtue of upsetting Cameroon in the women’s AfroBasket tournament. Cameroon was undefeated in the tourney prior to the loss to Senegal. The 81-66 victory was spearheaded by a 16-point, three-assist, three-rebound performance by Aya Traore.
Photo Credit: AFP
Serbia
The last time FIBA rankings were conducted, Serbia’s team was at 17. Now they are at 14. It is the first time that Serbia’s women’s team has qualified for the Olympics.
Serbia made its way to Rio after prevailing in the EuroBasket women’s championship game by a final of 76-68 over France who was considered to be a favorite. Ana Dabovic finished with 25 points and Sonja Petrovic added 22.
Photo Credit: AP
Spain
The final team to look at in Group B is Spain—by a good margin the highest ranked team in the group not wearing red, white, and blue. FIBA has Spain at 3rd.
Spain earned its spot at the Rio Olympics with a victory over South Korea in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Five spots for the Olympics were on the line and Spain claimed one of them by beating South Korea (the hosts of the next Winter Olympics in 2018) by a score of 70-50.
Now that we have got Group B out of the way, let’s shift to Group A:
Photo Credit: AFP
Turkey
Turkey also managed to qualify by placing in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament as did Spain. Turkey, four years ago, nearly made it to the semifinals of the Games in London but fell 66-63 to Russia.
The team earned its spot in Rio after dominating Cuba, 71-45. Turkey is currently ranked 10th in the world.
Photo Credit: AP
France
Aficionados of Team USA are very familiar with this team. After all, it was the same squad Team USA defeated in London (86-50) to earn gold medals at those Olympics.
France also managed to qualify for the Olympics after claiming one of the five spots to be allotted from the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament via 90-53 thrashing of Argentina. The French are ranked fourth in the world.
Photo Credit: Donna Bowater
Brazil
These Olympics are in Brazil after all, so Brazil’s team has to hope that home-court advantage came make just as much of a difference on the international stage of the Olympics as it does stateside.
At seventh-ranked in the world, Brazil is not simply only a team playing in front of its home fans. They are a good team playing in front of its home fans. Brazil did not make it out of group play four years ago, but fans of the WNBA know the names Erika de Souza and Clarissa Dos Santos. Both play for the Chicago Sky. Both will also be wearing the Brazilian colors at the Olympics.
Photo Credit: AP/Jessica Hill
Australia
If any team is the biggest threat to Team USA once again claiming gold in Rio de Janeiro, it is Australia. They are the second-ranked team in the world, even though they were defeated by the United States, 104-89 in Team USA’s final exhibition before Rio.
And a big reason for that is Liz Cambage. In the loss to Team USA in the exhibition tournament, she tallied 22 points and was a major reason why Australia stuck around with Team USA for much of the first half.
Photo Credit: FIBA
Belarus
Belarus enters the Rio Olympics tied with Turkey for the No. 10 ranking in the world via FIBA. They were the final team to earn a berth to the Olympics after a 56-39 victory over South Korea.
Belarus began the game on a 12-0 run before South Korea came back with a 12-0 run to tie the game. Another name familiar to basketball fans stateside is Lindsey Harding (Phoenix Mercury). She led the way with 17 points, as her country became en route to the Olympics.
Photo Credit: FIBA
Japan
The team from Japan will, for sure, want to make an impressive showing at this year’s Olympics not only for now but for four years later when the five rings make their way to Tokyo in 2020.
A 24-point outing from Sanae Motokawa propelled Japan to an 85-50 victory over host nation China in last year’s FIBA Asian Women’s Basketball Championship—and with it, a shot at the Olympics in Rio. The Japanese team is ranked 16th in the world.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
