The Olympic women’s basketball tournament’s knockout stage tipped off with today’s quarterfinal round, which determines whether Team USA will compete against the world’s best for an Olympic medal.
The US is still the frontrunner for gold, advancing past pool play on a 3-0 record and a point differential of +58.
History-makers Nigeria stand in Team USA’s way
In Team USA’s quarterfinal matchup, the seven-time Olympic champions will take on a team that’s making some history of their own: Nigeria.
In qualifying for the quarterfinals, Nigeria became the first African nation to ever reach the Olympic knockout rounds, finishing pool play with a record of 2-1. Nigeria’s success is a stunning turnaround from the Tokyo Olympics, where the team was eliminated after going winless through pool play.
Ezinne Kalu, who plays for Landerneau in France, has been Nigeria’s leading scorer in Paris, most recently pushing past Canada with 21 points.
Roster depth is key to USA’s Olympic success
Team USA will rely on their unyielding depth this afternoon, in addition to…
