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2024 Paris Olympics: A UConn WBB Preview
It’s an exciting time for women’s basketball fans. On top of another exciting season in the W, it’s just about time for the 2024 Paris Olympics. With multiple teams competing and the growing diversity of women’s basketball across the world, competition has never been higher and it will be a tough challenge for any roster to be victorious in their quest for gold.
It’s widely known how stacked Team USA is in 2024 and naturally, plenty of former Huskies headline this roster. From Breanna Stewart to the veteran Diana Taurasi, this squad undoubtedly has the best chance to win it all. However, ultimately, there are probably more UConn players on Olympic rosters than one may think.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics slated to begin on July 29th and tons of excitement surrounding this unique event, here’s all you need to know about where several former Huskies are slated to play.
Napheesa Collier (Team USA)
The Minnesota Lynx superstar hasn’t seen action since July 4th, but she’s expected to still suit up for the Stars and Stripes during this Olympic run.
It’s obviously no secret that Collier has been one of the top players in the W this season. Averaging a double-double at 20 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest, the stat sheet helps to show how huge of an impact the multi-time WNBA all-star makes on the game. Minnesota’s absence without Collier helps to add to how great of a player she is on her own and how huge of an add she’ll be for Team USA.
Depending on her health status ahead of the Olympics, Collier will undoubtedly be a huge part of whether her squad will reign supreme.
Breanna Stewart (Team USA)
From one Husky superstar to the next, Stewart is undoubtedly one of the biggest names on this roster and her spot in this massive collection of talent was a no-brainer. She’s been a big part of why the New York Liberty has been one of the top squads in the entire league, averaging 19.3 points and 9 rebounds alongside fellow Team USA selection Sabrina Ionescu.
Most importantly, this isn’t her first rodeo. She’s already got 2 Olympic gold medals, last winning in the 2022 Australia World Cup. Aside from the obvious talent that she brings to the table, her veteran presence and leadership should be a huge welcome sign for this team. With her size and shooting, this squad adds another dynamic scoring option and a strong defender with Stewie.
Diana Taurasi (Team USA)
Finishing up with Team USA, we’ve got the ultimate veteran and one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time, Diana Taurasi.
Despite being in her 20th season of WNBA basketball, she has yet to slow down as a player. Her 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game have been key in not only helping out Phoenix during the 2024 season but also her landing a spot once again on another Olympic roster
Even aside from everything that she’s accomplished in the W, her success on a global scale has been incredible. She’s been a key part of 5 gold medal squads and will look to win her 6th medal this go around. As the ultimate winner, she’ll aim to continue that mentality with yet another Olympic roster.
Aaliyah Edwards (Team Canada)
As one of two Huskies on Team Canada this year, Edwards is in the middle of a successful rookie campaign for the Washington Mystics and has had some major bright spots in just year one. With averages of 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds, she’s been one of the top newcomers to the league this season and will look to continue that success on the global level this year.
As a major bonus for Canada, this is the second Olympic appearance for Edwards, first showcasing her talents in 2020. Alongside another former Husky, she’ll look to help bring Team Canada to another level this year.
Kia Nurse (Team Canada)
As the second former Husky on Team Canada, Nurse returns to the squad for her third Olympic appearance after appearing in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In her last appearance in Tokyo, the current Los Angeles Spark was impactful, averaging 13 points in 36.1 minutes per contest. This season in the W, Nurse is averaging 7.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.1 minutes per game.
While Team Canada was unable to make it out of group play last time and finished in just ninth place, Nurse will look to help bring Canada its first medal in Olympic women’s basketball history with the help of players like Edwards and a plethora of WNBA talent.
Gabby Williams (Team France)
While Husky fans have been unable to watch former first rounder Gabby Williams compete in the WNBA this season, they’ll be able to see her compete in Olympic play, as the forward will suit up for Team France in 2024.
Playing for the host country this go around, it will be quite the moment for Williams, who has dual-citizenship in France on her mother side. This will be the second Olympic appearance for the former UConn star, who earned a bronze medal during the 2020 Olympic games. At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Williams shined with averages of 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals in 3 games.
Tiffany Hayes (Azerbaijan/3x3)
In the lone 3x3 appearance of the Olympics for UConn, Tiffany Hayes will play for Team Azerbaijan after obtaining citizenship in 2015.
The 2022 UConn graduate made headlines around the WNBA world when she came out of retirement to sign with the Las Vegas Aces and has maintained a solid presence off the bench with averages of 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
This will be Azerbaijan’s first ever 3x3 Olympic appearance after Hayes helped the team win the 2024 FIBA 3x3 Universality Tournament in April and averaged 6.5 points in the process.