The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris officially open on July 26. The women’s 5×5 basketball competition starts July 28, with the women’s 3×3 competition tipping off on July 30.
Before the Games begin, here’s a look back at Swish Appeal’s coverage of the preparations for Paris by Team USA, the Canadian national team and the other national teams contending for a spot on the medal stand:
Team USA’s journey to another gold
Winners of seven-straight gold medals with an eighth expected, Team USA’s drama often occurs off the court, rather than on the court. “Who will be on the team?,” not, “Will we win?,” is the question that causes consternation.
This year, the scrutiny around of the selection process was intensified by the Caitlin Clark Effect, with fans and analysts marshaling various arguments to insist that the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft must be on the squad. That she wasn’t chosen indicates that USA Basketball, often accused of prioritizing things beyond basketball skill when selecting Olympic rosters, resisted…
