The roster has been set for the U.S Women’s Basketball Team. In Tokyo, the United States of America will be represented by Skylar Diggins-Smith, Napheesa Collier, Ariel Atkins, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd. A’ja Wilson, Sylvia Fowles, Tina Charles, Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart will also travel to Japan. Rounding out the roster, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will compete in their fifth Olympic Games. This time around, former WNBA star and NCAA Champion Dawn Staley will coach Team USA.
“It’s just been a tremendous journey when you think about playing for that long,” Taurasi said about the opportunity to join Team USA.
“We’re trying to take it to the next generation. Focused on what we have to do to come home with gold. Tremendous competition like no other because of COVID, the delay of the Olympics. We’re really focused on winning gold.”
The two most prominent names left off of the Team USA roster are Elena Delle Donne and Nneka Ogwumike. Delle Donne was expected to miss out on the Olympics due to continued back injuries. However, Ogwumike’s absence left many in shock including Los Angeles Sparks Head Coach Derek Fisher and WNBA star Candace Parker. She is currently injured, but expected to be back on the court in one to two weeks before Olympic play begins
“It really breaks my heart that Nneka is not on this team,” Ogwumike said.
“I mean, if we had to make a decision a month from now, I’m sure she would be healthy. I know this is one of the things that she wanted to do. She came to every training camp, she’s been a great voice in our training camp and our practices. We’re definitely going to miss Nneka.”
Unfortunately, the team will come together in Las Vegas in July with Ogwumike. Team USA will begin their Olympic run on July 27 against Nigeria.
For the States. For the history. For the gold.
Our team to go for seven consecutive Olympic gold medals at @Tokyo2020
?? #USABWNT x @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/2G0zrlXNLh
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) June 21, 2021